Helen Andersen

**Helen Thomas Andersen** (née **Thomas**; born 18 January 1964) is a Hawaiian politician who has served as minister of education and culture in the Kanazawa ministry since 2018. Additionally, Andersen has represented Hawaii in the House of Representatives since 2006, and is a member of the Hawaii National Party.

Born in Hilo, Andersen graduated from Hilo High School in 1982. She subsequently enrolled in the University of Hawaii, Hilo, receiving a bachelor's degree in communications in 1986. After completing her education, Andersen began working in marketing at various companies in Hilo. In 1999, she founded her own marketing firm, working with various companies both in Hawaii and internationally on their marketing.

Andersen entered politics in 2006, when she was included as a Hawaii National Party candidate in the Hawaii constituency for the 2006 general election, and was elected to the House of Representatives. Upon taking her seat in parliament, Andersen focused her legislating on education, civil rights, and economic issues. Following the 2018 general election, she was nominated by Kenzie Kanazawa to serve as minister of education and culture in her cabinet, and was appointed by Queen Keʻalohilani.

## Early life and education

Andersen was born on 18 January 1964 in Hilo, on the island of Hawaii, to parents Grant (born 1930) and Elisabeth Thomas (née *Jorgensen*; 1931–2015). Her father was born in Hawaii to a family of English, Irish, and Welsh descent that originated in California, while her mother was an immigrant from Minneapolis who was of Norwegian-Makotan origin. Grant worked in the tourism industry, while Elisabeth was a former model and actress who became a high school English teacher. Andersen is the youngest of three children; her elder siblings include Anthony (born 1957) and Louise (born 1960).

Andersen began her education in 1969, attending a local, public elementary school in Hilo. While in elementary school, Andersen was interested in performing, and wished to become an actress. She enrolled in Hilo High School in 1978, where she was active in the school's theatre department, and graduated in 1982. Andersen subsequently enrolled in the University of Hawaii, Hilo. She initially majored in musical theatre, but switched her major after one semester, and graduated with a degree in communications in 1986.

## Marketing career

After graduating with her bachelor's degree in 1986, Andersen was hired as a marketing intern at the energy corporation Litewave. After completing a six month unpaid internship, she was hired to a full-time position at the company as a marketing coordinator. After one year, she left the company and began working as a marketing coordinator at the fashion company Bellalee. She became a junior marketing director at the company in 1989, and later vice president of marketing in 1995.

In 1997, Andersen left Bellalee and was hired as chief marketing officer (CMO) at the fashion company Cottage Love. She remained at the company for two years, until leaving to begin her own marketing firm. She founded the firm with business partner Angelina Clarke, titled Ilumina Marketing. With the firm, Andersen advised companies in both Hawaii and abroad on issues relating to marketing. She took an indefinite leave from the firm in 2006, in order to enter politics.

## Political career

### Early politics

Andersen entered politics in 2006, after she was selected by the Hawaii National Party to be a candidate on their party list in Hawaii constituency for the 2006 general election. She was ultimately elected to the House of Representatives, and took her seat on 10 July 2006. Upon taking her seat in parliament, Andersen focused her legislating on education, civil rights, and economic issues. She was later reelected in the 2010 and 2014 elections.

Upon beginning her political career, Andersen positioned herself in the centrist bloc of HNP politicians. She endorsed Judy Carpenter in the 2006 Hawaii National Party leadership election, and Cristine Hyodo Larson in the 2010 leadership election.

### Education and culture minister

In the aftermath of the 2018 election, the Hawaii National Party lost their parliamentary majority. Due to the loss, David Chang resigned as party leader and a leadership election was called. Andersen did not run in the election, but endorsed the candidacy of Kenzie Kanazawa, who went on to win the election.

Following the conclusion of the leadership election, Kanazawa negotiated a coalition agreement with the Hui Pū ʻAna political party. The Hawaiian media reported that Andersen was under consideration for a ministerial nomination. Kanazawa later nominated her as minister of education and culture in the Kanazawa ministry. She was appointed by Queen Keʻalohilani on 18 September 2018. As education and culture minister, Andersen is responsible for overseeing the Hawaiian public education system, education policy, private education regulations, arts policy, public administration of museums, galleries, libraries, and theatres, and arts funding.

## Personal life

Andersen began a relationship with Hawaiian advertising executive Greg Andersen in 1989. They became engaged in 1992, and married the following year. They have three children together: Natalie (born 1994), Jena (born 1997), and Isaac (born 2001). The family resides in Hilo, while Andersen also rents an apartment in Downtown Honolulu for parliamentary usage.

Andersen was raised Lutheran, although she now identifies as irreligious. She is solely a citizen of Hawaii, although she is also eligible for Makotan citizenship.