From the Honolulu Star-Advertiser we get the official announcement of state senator Kai Kahele’s entering the race for CD 2 in Hawaii.
In speaking of how he came to public service, he referenced his father, who has quite a different background than Ms. Gabbard’s father.
“When Dad passed nine days later, I realized my call to public service. Our family needed leadership. Our community needed leadership. There was work left undone, and a legacy to carry on inspired by his dream. The dream of this gentle, Hawaiian man from Miloliʻi, to build a better Hawaii for us all.”
His non-political public service matches Ms. Gabbard’s:
He’s a combat veteran, a major in the Hawaii Air National Guard and a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines.
He also demarcated his motivations, aspirations and approach to politics from Ms. Gabbard as well:
To achieve a better future for Hawaii’s children, Kahele said “we need teamwork. We need focus. We need dedicated leadership and an aspirational vision. We need passion and compassion. We need courage and collaboration. We need commitment and humility. We need elected leaders working together, leaders who put the common interests of Hawaiiʻs people ahead of their own.”
Assuming he demonstrates a strong base on the Big Island, which has the largest population within the district, outside of rural/suburban Oahu, then he will be a formidable challenger to Gabbard, as I think her support is primarily a mile wide and an inch deep.
This will be interesting to watch.
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2019 · 6:17:37 AM +00:00
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Denver11
UPDATE: Several folks have asked for a more in depth political bio on Kahele. He is in my CD, but he is not my state senator, so I will do some more research, but if anybody from Hilo wants to do the same, go for it.