A shaded thoroughfare through Mililani.

Trish La Chica

Democrat, State House of Representatives
District 37, Oʻahu
Time in office:
  • House: 2023-present

General Contact Info

Bio

Prior to joining the Legislature in 2023 to fill a vacancy, Trish La Chica spent over 15 years in leadership roles working for nonprofit organizations and state and county government in areas such as health, Medicaid, housing and homelessness. Her passion for advocacy began as an investigative journalist in Manila, where she produced documentaries that shed light on the daily struggles of Filipino families and fought against corruption.

La Chica, who represents Mililani Mauka, Koa Ridge and Waipi‘o Gentry, earned her master’s in public administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s in communication from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. She is a former executive director of the Office of Housing and Homelessness for the City and County of Honolulu.

Leader Badges

Bill Activity

0

Of 51 bills:
1 Passed
47 Failed
3 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 51 bills: 1 passed, 47 failed, and 3 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx% votes: xx

Financials

This feature tracks sources of money intended to help a candidate win election.

Election

This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).

Candidate Contributions

$14.3K

Communications & Electronics

$1.0K

Construction

$5.5K

Energy & Natural Resources

$750.0

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

$2.8K

General Business

$1.8K

Government Agencies/Education/Other

$500.0

Labor

$18.4K

Lawyers & Lobbyists

$200.0

Transportation

$2.2K

Uncoded

$28.8K

Candidate Donations

Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $4000 for the Senate and $2000 for the house.

Total
$76.1K

40.0% higher than the average legislators

Independent Expenditures

Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity targeting a candidates run for office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.

Total
$6.0K

996.0% higher than the average legislators

Grand Total for Elections

$82.1K

54.0% higher than the average legislators

This is a total of the money targeting this legislator's campaign(s) including direct donations to the candidate, money spent by Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.


Influence

There are two categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
Fund for the Pacific Century $5,000 Oct 27, 2023 Pacific Century Fellows Program
Maui Economic Development Board $305 May 12, 2023 Registration Fee

Gifts

For gifts that are allowed, legislators must file an annual gifts disclosure statement with the Hawai'i State Ethics Commission if they or their spouse or dependent child receive from a single source one or multiple gifts and the whole aggregate value exceeds $200.

Gift Received Rating
#4/76

This legislator is ranked 4th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Trish La Chica

HB 1785 Passed
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the Hawai’i state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for HB 1785 3MIN
Apr 30, 2026

HB 1785

DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund

Preview image for HB 1785 3MIN
Apr 29, 2026

HB 1785

DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund

Preview image for HB 1785 1MIN
Apr 28, 2026

HB 1785

DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund

Preview image for HR 86 56SEC
Mar 31, 2026

HR 86

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO...

Preview image for HCR 181 1MIN
Mar 31, 2026

HCR 181

AFFIRMING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF SECTION 302A-1116, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, IS...

Preview image for HCR 94 4MIN
Mar 31, 2026

HCR 94

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO...

Preview image for HCR 181 24MIN
Mar 31, 2026

HCR 181

AFFIRMING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF SECTION 302A-1116, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, IS...

Preview image for HB 1782 3MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 1782

Attorney General; Office of Consumer Protection; Artificial Intelligence; AI Companion Systems; Conversational...

Preview image for HB 2454 1MIN
Mar 10, 2026

HB 2454

Safe Routes to School; Department of Transportation; Counties; Funding; Eligibility and Accountability

Preview image for HB 1786 18MIN
Feb 19, 2026

HB 1786

Department of Education; School Facilities; Public Use; Community Use; Report

Preview image for HB 1785 1MIN
Feb 12, 2026

HB 1785

DOE; Superintendent; Student Transportation; Penalty; School Bus Fare Revolving Fund

Preview image for HB 1783 6MIN
Feb 12, 2026

HB 1783

School Facilities Authority; Pilot Program; Public-private Partnership; Request for Proposals; Report; Appropriation

View All Hearings

District

State House of Representatives District 37

Previous Election (2024):

Kaaumoana, Taylor
29.2%
La Chica, Trish
63%
WON

Census Data

Median age 0 10 20 30 40

Median age