A shift in leadership at the state House of Representatives has afforded some of its newest members with unique opportunities to advance, some even before they have been sworn into office.

An unsuccessful attempt to oust Speaker Calvin Say opened several committee chairman and vice-chairman positions, which Say awarded to 16 members with four years of experience or less.

Of the 13 freshmen entering the House, eight will be committee vice chairs, while some of the others will be assistant floor leaders.

Nine of them will sit on the powerful Finance Committee, which Say has traditionally used as a training ground for freshmen members since budget deliberations give members a broad — and quick — overview of state government.

"I'm just excited because I think they have a lot to learn and a lot to contribute," he said. "I just wanted to have the freshmen catch the train and move ahead, rather than delay the organization and just wait, wait, wait."

The freshmen, who represent nearly every island in the state, and some of its most affluent and poorest districts, bring diverse perspectives to the House, and some common interests.

They also bring experience. Seven have worked as aides to elected officials, while another two have held elected office themselves.

Some, like Puna Representative-elect Faye Hanohano, however, are getting involved in politics for the first time.

"I'm a real freshman," said the state corrections officer, whose involvement with the United Public Workers union encouraged her to run for office.

"I saw there was a need to protect the working class and our good wages and benefits and retirement, and making sure all the benefits we have are kept, instead of done away with," she said.

This will also be the first time South Maui Representative-elect Joe Bertram III gets to work in the state Capitol, although he has run for office five times in the past.

"I'm not your typical guy, in terms of public service," said Bertram, who has worked as a waiter and valet, and is more likely to be found in swim trunks than collared shirts.

The rubber-slipper-shod greenways advocate will bring his push for safe pedestrian routes and bikeways to the Legislature, along with his community's demands for a second Maui hospital.

On the other hand, Representative-elect James Tokioka, who will represent Lihu'e and Koloa, brings 10 years of County Council experience with him.

He said Kaua'i's interests are similar to the rest of the state's concerns: affordable housing, traffic congestion and public education.

Traffic congestion is an issue throughout the state, including Makakilo, Kapolei and Royal Kunia, which has selected new representation by electing Rep. Sharon Har.

Har said constituents in her district are concerned about traffic congestion and overcrowded schools.

"That's been a huge point of concern because development is continuing without the infrastructure being in place."

Representative-elect Karen Awana, a Republican, takes over the Nanakuli, Honokai Hale district from Democrat Michael Kahikina.

Awana sees herself in position to have Republican Gov. Linda Lingle's ear, and she also hopes to work collaboratively with the Democrats in the Legislature.

"I really, truly believe we have to work extra hard to build bridges so everyone has a piece of the pie," she said. "I'm hoping we can distribute the wealth equally throughout the state."

With an average age of 44, Say says the freshman class will help take Hawai'i into the future.

The youngest member in the group, marathon runner Representative-elect Della Au Bellati, 32, is looking far into the future, putting long-term care at the top of her priority list, along with affordable housing and rentals, a keen issue in her Makiki and Tantalus district.

Representative-elect Angus McKelvey, 38, from West Maui, shares much in common with his Kapolei colleague, Har, who is 37. A particular interest is solving traffic congestion issues.

"If you look across the horizon ... we really need to be sinking our (budget) surplus into infrastructure, because it seems to be falling apart all over the state," he said.