Richard Kawakami

Richard Kawakami (February 22, 1931 – March 8, 1987) was an American businessman and politician.

Born in Waimea, Kauai County, Hawaii, Kawakami received his bachelor's degree from University of Hawaii and his master's degree from New York University. Kawakami was the president of the Big Save Groceries in Kauai County. Kawakami served on the Kauai County Council and was a Democrat. Kawakami served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1968 until his death in 1987. He served as speaker of the house in 1987 at the time of his death. Kawakami died suddenly of a heart attack while on a hunting trip on Lanai. His wife Bertha succeeded his husband in the Hawaii Legislature.^[1][2]

Notes

1. 'American Legislative Leaders in the West, 1911-1994,' Nancy Weatherly Sharp and James Roger Sharp, Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut and London, 1997, Biographical Sketch of Richard A. Kawakami, pg. 156-157
2. 'Richard Kawakami-obituary,' New York Times, March 10, 1987