JoAnn Yukimura was mayor of Kauaʻi County from 1988-1994 and served on the County Council for a total of 22 years. She graduated from Kauaʻi High School, Stanford and the University of Washington Law School and was the first Japanese-American woman mayor in the United States.
Always on the forefront of innovation, Councilmember Yukimura started the island’s public transportation system, the Kauaʻi Bus. She was one of the founders of KIUC, Kauaʻi’s electric utility cooperative. She authored and secured passage of one of the strongest shoreline setback laws in the country as well as the first ordinance controlling vacation rentals. She was instrumental in the building of over 1500 affordable homes. She started the first self-help housing project, the first county recycling and composting programs, the first Sunshine Market and the first bike path. She helped to protect over 250 acres of coastal open space. As a citizen activist prior to running for office, she led the effort in 1976 to stop highrises on Kauaʻi.
Ms. Yukimura has been the watchdog and voice for the people, especially for the low and moderate income families that are often forgotten. She has always been a strong advocate for protection of the environment, good planning and growth management. Her greatest love has been the children and youth of Kauaʻi. She has mentored several young women, has served for many years on the Advisory Board for the Boys and Girls Club on Kauaʻi, and was a founding member of Keiki to Career. She presently sits on the Resilience Project Committee. Public service has been her lifelong passion.
Her husband, John Wehrheim, is an author and filmmaker and developer of hydroelectric systems. They have a daughter, a hanai daughter, beloved 3-year old granddaughter and extended ohana.
