David Ige has appointed Laura Clint Acasio to the Hawaiʻi State Senate, District 1, which encompasses the greater Hilo area; a seat previously held by U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, who was elected to U.S. Congress in November.

According to a press release from the Governorʻs Office, Acasio has been an educator since 1998, working as a teacher and long-term substitute for grades K-12 at 15.

Acasio has also served in various capacities with the Hawai‘i Democratic Party, including party chair from 2018-2020. She has also worked as a restoration volunteer for the Hilo Women’s Prison, restoration steward with Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana, co-founder of the Hilo Boys and Girls Club Community, teen mentor and facilitator with the Nature Conservancy and member of the Surfrider Foundation.

Acasio will serve out the remainder of Kahele’s term, which ends in 2022.