Duane Lulani

    

Duane Lulani
Lulani in 2020.
Governor of Hawaii
Incumbent
Assumed office May 1, 2020
Lieutenant	Wilson Gage
Preceded by	Ophelia Takemoto
Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
In office May 3, 2017 – May 1, 2020
Governor	Ophelia Takemoto
Preceded by	Leland White
Succeeded by	Wilson Gage
Comissioner of Gaming and Fishing
In office May 4, 2012 – May 3, 2017
Preceded by	Keanu Johnson
Succeeded by	Kai Akaka
Personal details
Born	(1972-07-04) July 4, 1972 Santa Monica, Gold Coast, Kingdom of Sierra
Political party	Democratic-Republican (2012-present)
Other political affiliations	Indepedent (2000-2012)
Spouse(s)	Georgia Hernandez (m. 2011)
Children	2
Alma mater	Santa Monica College University of Sierra, Honolulu
Religion	New Anglican

Duane Ronald Lulani is a Sierran politician, businessman, and former Olympic athlete serving as the TBD Governor of Hawaii since 2020. A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, Lulani previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii from 2017 to 2020 and the Commissioner of Gaming and Fishing from 2012 to 2017. Before entering politics, Lulani was a professional athlete, briefly playing American football and later representing Sierra at the 2004 Summer Olympics as a member of the men's water polo team. He is the first Hawaiian governor of African-Sierran descent and is the third biracial governor of the island state.

Born and raised in Santa Monica Gold Coast, Lulani would attend Santa Monica College and later the University of Sierra, Diamond Head, receiving a degree in environmental science. A talented athlete, Lulani would pursue a career in sports, being signed to the then-San Diego Chargers in 1995. Playing for three months, Lulani would be forced to leave the team after suffering a season-ending injury. In 1998, Lulani would return to sports, becoming involved in water polo. Playing for the Hilo Smashers, Lulani would eventually qualify for the national water polo team, representing Sierra in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Rome. Lulani would retire from sports in 2008 and would become a motivational and public speaker.

After years of speculation, Lulani would enter politics in 2012, being elected as the commissioner of Gaming and Fishing in Hawaii as a Democratic-Republican. As gaming and fishing commissioner, Lulani would enact a campaign targeting the rampant overfishing in Hawaii. Lulani's campaign against overfishing would be largely successful, with the fish population in Hawaii seeing an increase in numbers. Lulani would overwhelmingly be elected to a second term as gaming and fishing commissioner in 2016, but would leave the post a year later to become lieutenant governor following the resignation of Leland White. As lieutenant governor, Lulani supported efforts to preserve the natural environment of Hawaii, and sought to promote the Hawaiian culture. He would also develop a multi-partisian attitude, regularly calling for greater cooperation between the many different parties of Hawaii. In 2020, Lulani would overwhelming be elected as governor, succeeding Ophelia Takemoto.

Politically, Lulani identifies as a centrist, social liberal, and economic liberal. On social issues, Lulani is a supporter of same-sex marriage and the protection of abortion rights in Sierra. He is also supportive of the greater preservation of Hawaiian culture. Lulani is a supporter of the Monarchy and is against the independence of Hawaii, a rarity among Hawaiian Democratic-Republicans. On economic issues, Lulani opposes the creation of a single-payer healthcare system and is against greater regulations on businesses, viewing both as "hinderances of the free market". Lulani also supports lowering taxes for all Sierrans. On foreign policy, Lulani is an American unionist, supporting the Conference of American States and greater American integration. He is opposed to efforts to reconcile with the United Commonwealth and the United People's Committees. As of 2021, he is considered one of the most popular governors in Sierra, holding an approval rating of 78%.