Aaron Ling Johanson

Aaron Ling Johanson is an American politician who represented Hawaii House District 31, representing the communities of Aiea, Moanalua, Foster Village, and Fort Shafter in Honolulu County on the island of Oahu. He is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Aaron Ling Johanson was born on January 30, 1980, in Montana, Hawaii. He is a fourth-generation descendant of Okinawan and Chinese immigrants to Hawaii. His grandparents, James L.F. and Esther Shiroma Ling, moved to the Moanalua area in 1959, and he grew up deeply rooted in his community as the great-grandson of plantation laborers.

Throughout his life, Johanson has been actively involved in community service. He served as a five-term *Director of the Moanalua Gardens Community Association *, a Director of the Moanalua Lions Club, and a member of both the Aiea Community Association and Friends of Aiea Library. He also served as a youth group leader at Calvary Church of the Pacific in Aiea.

Education

Johanson graduated summa cum laude from Moanalua High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Yale University.

Political Experience

Johanson served as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2010 to 2022. He was originally elected as a Republican in 2010 and re-elected in 2012 and 2014, during which time he served as House Minority Whip from 2011 to 2013 and House Minority Leader from 2013 to December 29, 2014.

On December 29, 2014, Johanson changed his party affiliation to the Democratic Party. He was subsequently re-elected as a Democrat in 2016, winning with 70% of the vote. In addition to his legislative work, Johanson gained significant government experience serving as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the Lieutenant Governor's Office and as a legislative analyst. He also served as a Commissioner on the Legislative Federal Economic Stimulus Program Oversight Commission, overseeing the State's use and implementation of ARRA-related stimulus spending.

Johanson announced in May 2022 that he would not run for re-election, concluding his service at the end of his term that year.