Charles Djou

Charles Kong Djou (born August 9, 1970) is an American politician who served as U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 1st congressional district in 2010–11. As a member of the Republican Party, Djou won his congressional seat in a special election in May 2010, but was defeated in the general election in November. Djou, who previously served in the Hawaii House of Representatives and the Honolulu City Council, is the first Thai-American and the first Chinese-American Republican to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early life, education and career

Born in Los Angeles, California, to a Chinese-American father and a Thai-American mother, Djou grew up in Hawaii. He graduated from high school at Punahou School, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Bachelor of Science in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania graduating magna cum laude. He earned his law degree at the University of Southern California Law School.

Djou is a major in the United States Army Reserve. He has taught as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Hawaii and as an adjunct professor of political science at Hawaii Pacific University.