Hawai'i Island
County Council-District 5

Elect ShannOn Matson

Shannon’s focus is on community. 

  • University Hawaii at Hilo Alumna
  • Former small business owner
  • Legislative Aide for the State of Hawai’i for a former Hilo Senator
  • Currently working for over 3 years as a Leg. Assistant for a Hilo Council Member
  • Successfully passed a widely supported State Bill in record time to increase safety for our community by holding dangerous dog owners accountable when their dogs attack other animals and humans after the death of her father, Robert Northrop in OceanView due to a dog attack 
  • Served on Mayor Kim’s Real Property Tax Review Working Group
  • Commissioner for Mayor Roth’s Cost of Government Commission
  • Graduate of Kuleana Academy in 2016. This is a leadership training program sponsored by the grass-roots progressive group, HAPA
  • Advocate for vulnerable populations in our community for over 15 years
  • Volunteer organizer with the Pride Parade in Hilo
  • Shannon’s been in numerous productions of The Vagina Monologues  to raise funds for local Domestic Violence shelters and other women / children centered organizations
  • Successfully lobbied State Legislators for compassionate end of life choice and medical aid in dying laws
  • Co-organized the Women’s March events in Hilo
  • Organized weekly food distributions in her community of Hawaiian Acres for families in need for over a year in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • Continued to do Summer food distributions with Vibrant Hawai’i for the Kaukau for Keiki Program
  • Social Services Navigator with Vibrant Hawai’i
  • Served as Vice Chair for the Democratic Party of Hawai’i and in leadership roles for numerous Boards and Commissions and Community Nonprofits
Shannon Matson for State House

  • Shannon’s employment history is mostly in retail, primarily as a long-time manager for Abundant Life Natural Foods store in Hilo, and as a small business owner and yoga teacher. Shannon is the founder and former owner of Hot Yoga Hilo, Hilo’s only heated yoga studio. 

  • Shannon’s husband, John, is an athletic official, umpiring high school, and college baseball. John grows kalo and other produce, and raises chickens and ducks on their small farm. Their two children are attending public charter Hawaiian immersion school Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani’ōpu’u in Kea’au and regularly participate in musical theater at the Hilo Palace.

  • Shannon has always been an outspoken advocate for the environment, homeless rights, women’s rights, and social justice issues that affect our community. As a mother, former small business owner, small farmer, Shannon is aware of the struggles that Hawaii’s working families endure to make ends meet. 

  • Through experience working on both State and County legislation Shannon knows how to navigate both and help break down silos that limit meaningful change. She will work hard to address the inequalities in the systems that continuously lead to benefits for corporations over communities and profits over people. Shannon knows that listening to our communities’ concerns and being a voice for District 5 is the key to co-creating meaningful change.