Lorraine Inouye

Lorraine Rodero Inouye (born June 22, 1940) is an American politician from the state of Hawaii. A member of the Democratic Party, she serves in the Hawaii State Senate, representing District 4. Despite the same surname, she is not related to U.S. senator Daniel Inouye.

Political career Inouye was elected to the Hawaii County Council in 1984. She ran for re-election in 1992 but lost to Yamashiro.

Inouye ran for the District 1 seat in the Hawaii Senate in 1998, challenging incumbent Democrat Malama Solomon. Inouye defeated Solomon in the primary, and won the general election.

In 2012, Inouye ran for District 4 in the State Senate. She was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Solomon, the incumbent from District 1. In March 2014, Inouye announced she would challenge Solomon in the upcoming primary election to represent District 4. She defeated Solomon in the primary, and won the general election.

Personal life Inouye graduated from Hilo High School. Prior to running for political office, Inouye worked as a hotelier. Inouye is married to Vernon Inouye, who grows and exports flowers and serves as co-owner, president, and general manager of Floral Resources Hawaii. She serves as president of Aloha Blooms, the family-owned anthurium farm.