State Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele, in his bid to represent Hawai‘i’s Second Congressional District, received the endorsement of the University of Hawai‘i Professional Assembly (UHPA), the exclusive bargaining agent for all faculty members of the University of Hawai‘i system, which encompasses six community colleges, UH-Hilo, UH-Mānoa, UH-Maui College and UH-West O‘ahu.
“UHPA felt it was important to weigh in on this year’s Congressional District 2 Race for the upcoming general election because of the many needs in our community resulting from the pandemic that require ongoing federal are pleased to endorse Kai for Congress!”
Kahele remarked, “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the union representing the faculty of my alma mater, who work tirelessly to further knowledge in their fields and educate and inspire students throughout our state. I am proud to be an alumnus of the University of Hawai‘i System and a product of Hawaiiʻs public school system. From my time as a student at Hilo High School, Hawai‘i Community College, UH Hilo and later UH Mānoa, where I played men’s volleyball and graduated with a degree in education, I learned the importance of a quality education to prepare young people for productive careers and vocations as contributing members of our community. We must remove barriers that prevent access to higher education and community colleges for vocational training. If elected to Congress, I will advocate for increasing federal financial aid, pursuing critical research dollars for the UH and making college more accessible and affordable for all.”
With the UHPA endorsement, Kahele humbly acknowledged that he has now received the backing of all public unions in the state. This comes on the heels of the endorsement of former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose parents, Barack Obama Sr. and Stanley Ann Dunham, were UH Mānoa alumni who met while studying at UH.
Kahele for Congress Campaign Fundraising Results for Third Quarter and To Date
Donations raised in the third quarter of 2020 totaled $127,400.81, and the campaign to date has surpassed the $1 million milestone – raising $ 1,053,016.56. A total of 11,963 individuals have donated to the campaign for the election cycle.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful for the support and generosity of the many people and organizations who have contributed to our campaign, particularly during these challenging times,” said Kahele. “Their assistance has enabled us to share our vision and message across the Second Congressional District and engage with communities through our weekly virtual talk story and town hall sessions.”
Other Endorsements
Other unions that have endorsed Kahele include: ILWU, Local 142; HGEA AFSCME, Local 152, AFL-CIO; Iron Workers, Local 625; Hawaii Masons Union, Local 1; Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA); Association of Flight Attendants-CWA; United Food & Commercial Workers Local 480; Plumbers & Fitters UA Local 675; Spirit Airlines Pilots ALPA MEC; Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Local 996; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463; Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council; United Public Workers/AFSCME; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades – District Council 50; International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers; BAC Local 1 Hawaii; Hawaii State Teachers Association; National Education Association; Hawaii Island Contractors’ Association PAC; Unite Here Local 5; International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers Legislative Education Action Program PAC; American Federation of Government Employees; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters Local 745; National Air Traffic Controllers Association; National Nurses United; Hawai‘i Nurses’ Association; and State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.
Organizations that have endorsed Kahele include: Tri-Caucus PAC (ASPIRE PAC, BOLD PAC, Congressional Black Caucus PAC); Daily Kos; Serve America; New Politics; Emgage PAC; Progressive Caucus; Planned Parenthood Action Fund; VoteVets; Demand Universal Healthcare; Human Rights Campaign; Friends of Intelligent Democracy; People for the American Way; Progressive Change Campaign Committee; League of Conservation Voters Action Fund; Brady PAC; Realtors® PAC; Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii; Future Forum PAC; Humane Society Legislative Fund; Voter Protection Project; DMFI PAC; Giffords PAC; Americans for Democratic Action; Asian American Action Fund; End Citizens United and Let America Vote; and Democrats Abroad-Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus.
Endorsements by individuals include: Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Hawai‘i Senior U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, Hawai‘i U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, Hawai‘i U.S. Congressman Ed Case, Fmr. Hawaiʻi Gov. John Waiheʻe, Fmr. Hawaiʻi Gov. Ben Cayetano, Fmr. Hawaiʻi Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Hawai‘i State Sen. Pres. Ronald Kouchi, Hawai‘i State Sen. VP Michelle Kidani, Fmr. Lt. Gov. & Fmr. HI State Sen. Pres. Shan Tsutsui, Ikaika Anderson, Fmr. Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Fmr. Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA 6th District), U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Mark Pocan, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman Mark Takano, Congressman Jason Crow, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Congressman Max Rose, Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Sen. Stanley Chang, Sen. Kurt Fevella, Sen. Dru Kanuha, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Sen. Clarence Nishihara, Sen. Gil Riviere, Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, Rep. Stacelynn Eli, Rep. Cedric Gates, Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, Rep. Chris Todd, Rep. Tina Wildberger, Hawai‘i County Councilmember Sue Lee Loy, CMSgt. Robert Lee (Ret.) Hawai‘i National Guard, Hon. Steven Levinson, Ret. Hawai‘i Supreme Court Justice, Fmr. Rep. Kaniela Ing, Dr. Amy Agbayani, Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Patricia Nekoba, Educator, Toni Lee, Native Hawaiian Community Leader, Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, Native Hawaiian Community Leader, Sivan Leoni, Fmr. UH Men’s Volleyball Teammate, and Rick Tune, Fmr. UH Volleyball Teammate.
Kahele currently serves as Majority Floor Leader and Chairman of the Committee on Water and Land in the Hawaiʻi State Senate, where he represents his hometown of Hilo. He announced his candidacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 22, 2019 at the historic Mo‘oheau Bandstand in downtown Hilo.
The 2nd Congressional District encompasses Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kaua’i, Niʻihau and the rural parts of Oʻahu, including Waimānalo, Kailua, Kāneʻohe, the North Shore, and the Leeward coast.