Derek S.K. Kawakami is an American politician serving as the eleventh Mayor of Kauai since December 3, 2018. Kawakami previously served as a Kauaûi County Councilmember from 2016âÂÂ2018 and 2008âÂÂ2011 and as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from April 4, 2011 through November 8, 2016. Kawakami was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Hermina Morita to chair the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Kawakami is a member of the Democratic Party.
On March 17, 2026, Kawakami announced he is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Hawaii in the 2026 Hawaii gubernatorial election.
Kawakami graduated from Kauai High School in 1996. He attended Kauaûi Community College and earned his BA from Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Kawakami and his wife Monica have two children. He has a wrist tattoo that says "Moniquita" for his wife.
He is the nephew of former Representative Richard Kawakami, a former Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives, and former Representative Bertha Kawakami.
Kawakami's father, Charles Kawakami, was a prominent businessman who was president of Big Save before it was sold to Times Supermarkets, and MFM, Inc. before it was sold to Aloha Petroleum.