Vice President, Hawaii State Senate, 2017-present

Senator, Hawaii State Senate, District 18, 2008-present

Former Assistant Majority Leader, Hawaii State Senate

Candidate, Hawaii State Senate, District 18, 2024

Chair, Education Committee

Vice Chair, Higher Education Committee

Member, Ways and Means Committee

Chair, Education Committee, Hawaii State Senate, 2023-present

Former Vice Chair, Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health Committee, Hawaii State Senate

Former Member, Higher Education and the Arts Committee, Hawaii State Senate

Former Member, Transportation and Energy Committee, Hawaii State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Ways and Means Committee, Hawaii State Senate

Senior Advisor, City and County of Honolulu, 2005-present

Former Employee, GTE Hawaiian Telecom

Former Office Manager, John H. Payne, Incorporated

Former Community Relations Specialist, Neighborhood Commission, City and County of Honolulu

MedQuest Administrator, Customer Service Branch, State Department of Human Services, 2002-2005

Executive Assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office, 2005

Office Manager, Waipahu Community Association, 2001-2002

Senior Advisor, Honolulu City Council, 1988-2000

Board Member/Board of Director/Vice President, Mililani Town Association, 1998-present

Member, Board of Directors, Japanese Women’s Society Foundation, present

Vice Chair, Education Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, present

Lifetime MEmber, Farrington High School Alumni Association, present

Member, Rotary Club, Mililani Sunrise, present

Former Volunteer, Aloha United Way

Member, Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs

Co-Chair, Education Committee, National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators

Former Board of Directors, Hale’iwa Sea Spree, Festivals Hawaii

Volunteer, Mililani schools

Member, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators

Former Volunteer, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society

Member, Steering Committee, Education Commission of the States, 2017-2019

Coordinator, Aloha United Way, 2007-2008

Board of Directors, Honolulu Community Action Program, 1998-2005

Member, Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu Neighborhood Board, 1993-2005

Team Captain, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, 2004

Director, Central Oahu Women's Softball League, 1990-2000

President, Mililani Recreation Advisory Council, 1995-1999

Member, Mililani High School Parent Teacher Student Organization, 1996-1998

Vice President/Manager, Mililani-Waipio Bobby Sox, 1984-1988

Awards:

Alumni of the Year, Farrington High School, Farrington Governors Alumni, 2011; Fabulous Freshman Legislator of the Year, Hawaii Women's Political Caucus, 2009; "Team of the Year,"-MedQuest, Hawaii Governor, 2004

Father's Name:

Jack Sakai, Harold Paresa (Stepfather)

Father's Occupation:

Public Transportation Bus Driver (Jack Sakai); United States Air Force Staff Sergeant (Harold Paresa)

Mother's Name:

Elizabeth Hildreth

Number of Grandchildren:

8 Grandchildren