skip to main content
David Ige
David Ige
01:14

David Ige

State of Hawaii

Honolulu, HI USA

"People know when you really are passionate about what you’re doing. They can see when you make an effort."

Career Roadmap

David's work combines: Science, Politics, and Problem Solving

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Governor

I am a former electrical engineer turned politician who serves as the state Governor of Hawai`i.

My Day to Day

As governor, I am a public servant. My daily goal is to ensure that the government is responsive to the needs of citizens and solving problems that they face.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

I was running against an incumbent governor and no one has ever ousted an incumbent before. I worked really hard and believed we could do it.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Electrical and Electronics Engineering

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

  • Graduate Degree

    Business Administration and Management, General

    University of Hawaii at Manoa

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    Went to college at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

  • 2.

    While there, he served as student body secretary, and was treasurer and vice-president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Sigma.

  • 3.

    Before he became a politician, he spent 34 years working as an electrical engineer; his early work was in sustainable energy.

  • 4.

    His political career began in 1985, when he was appointed to the Hawaii House of Representatives.

  • 5.

    He represented Hawaii in both the House and Senate prior to winning the gubernatorial race in 2014.

  • 6.

    On his road to becoming governor, he became the first person ever to beat the incumbent Governor of Hawaii in a primary.

  • 7.

    Says although he knew he was fighting a near-impossible battle against the incumbent, he had to try for Hawaii’s sake.

  • 8.

    As governor, he champions conserving Hawaii's natural resources and increasing STEM education in Hawaii's schools.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    You will never win the election.

  • How I responded:

    I was running against an incumbent governor and no one has ever ousted an incumbent before. I worked really hard and believed we could do it.