Maile Shimabukuro

Maile S.L. Shimabukuro (born October 1, 1970), is a Democratic member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing the state's 45th district since her election in 2003. The district includes Waianae, Makaha, and Makua on the island of Oahu. She is a graduate of Iolani School, Colorado College and the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law. In February 2003, Shimabukuro was involved in a car accident while driving toward Honolulu from Waianae. Her vehicle flipped over and landed in the Waianae-bound traffic lane. Shimabukuro was unharmed and credits her safety to the fact that she was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the incident. "I'm so grateful for that seatbelt law," said Shimabukuro. "If it were not for the seatbelt, I think I would have probably broken my neck or been dead right now."