About the Governor and First Lady

Governor Josh Green is a proud husband, father, physician, and Hawaiʻiʻs ninth governor. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Governor Green received his degree in both biology and anthropology from Swarthmore College and his M.D. from Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University. After graduating medical school he completed his residency in Family Practice. He was then awarded a National Health Service Corps scholarship and chose a position to practice medicine in the underserved area of Kā’ū on the Big Island of Hawai’i. 

From an early age, Governor Green understood the life changing effects that access to quality healthcare and medicine can have on the trajectory of a person’s life. As a doctor, he became part of the community he served.  He saw the difficulties and challenges local families faced, especially in rural areas: the high cost of living, the lack of affordable housing, the high rates of mental illness and addiction, and access to healthcare. 

After learning about their struggles and hearing directly from the people about the need for change, he ran for office. He served in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives from 2004 to 2008. From 2008 to 2018, he served in the Hawaiʻi State Senate, including as Majority Floor Leader, Chair of the Health and Human Services committees, and Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment, and Human Services and Housing committees. Governor Green was recognized for his leadership in healthcare, providing health insurance for every child in the state of Hawaii, and passing “Lukeʻs Law,” which provides insurance coverage for kids with autism. He also helped spearhead the creation of the Cancer Research Center, passed groundbreaking anti-tobacco legislation, which increased the legal age for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21, and created a statewide trauma healthcare system.  

In 2018, he was elected to be the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi. As Lieutenant Governor, he saw the need for real solutions on homelessness and helped build “kauhale” communities and the H4 clinic to provide housing and healthcare for those most in need. In 2019 when the measles epidemic hit, he led a team of more than 75 doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals on an emergency mission to Western Samoa. His team successfully vaccinated 37,000 people. Just a few months later when the COVID pandemic spread to Hawai‘i, Governor Green was appointed as the COVID liaison between the state and healthcare communities to coordinate pandemic preparedness, response, and mitigation efforts. As a result of his leadership, these critical emergency efforts resulted in Hawaiʻi having the nation’s lowest COVID-19 fatality rate.   

Throughout his legislative career, Governor Green practiced emergency room medicine in the rural areas of the Big Island.  He has twice been named Physician of the Year by the Hawai‘i Medical Association, most recently in 2022 for his leadership and service during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Governor Green is married to Jaime Kanani Green and they have two children, Maia and Sam.  Like many local families, they enjoy playing games together, going on family walks, and shopping at farmers markets. Governor Green remains an avid fan of his hometown football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Governor Green is inspired by the hopes, challenges and values of Hawai‘i’s families that encourage him to do his part for the people of our islands — and he is honored to serve as Governor. 

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First Lady Jaime Kanani Green was born and raised on Oʻahu in Kāne‘ohe. After graduating from ʻIolani School, she received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University.  She returned home and obtained her law degree from the University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School of Law.  After practicing Family Law, she decided to focus on child advocacy through policy and nonprofit work.  

The First Lady worked as a program coordinator for Project Visitation, which provides special events and monthly visits for siblings separated in the foster care system; as a Human Services Committee Clerk in the Hawaiʻi State Senate; and served as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary. Since having children, she has focused on her ‘ohana, supporting the endeavors of her husband, and advocating for local families, disadvantaged youth, and people in need. 

“As First Lady, I’m excited to continue my advocacy work for Hawai‘i’s children and families. Whether it is spreading awareness, supporting food banks, or advancing childhood literacy, I am ready to serve.  I am also looking forward to assisting in the development of a Native Hawaiian Cultural Center to provide a gathering space for educational opportunities and support traditional Hawaiian culture and arts.” 

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