State Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele, in his bid to represent Hawai‘i’s Second Congressional District, received the endorsements of the Tri-Caucus political action committees: ASPIRE PAC, BOLD PAC, and Congressional Black Caucus PAC, which respectively support political candidates of Asian American and Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino American, and African American descent, as well as those who champion the issues of these communities.
“I am deeply honored to be endorsed by these three organizations that are committed to increasing diversity in Congress and ensuring that ethnic minority and indigenous voices are heard in Washington D.C.,” said Kahele. “As a Native Hawaiian, I understand the challenges that communities of color and low-income communities face. They often suffer from health disparities and the social determinants of health, as well as inequities in educational institutions, the workplace, and in the criminal justice system. If elected to Congress, I will work with others to address these disparities, advocate for our communities, and fight for equality and justice to secure a better future for all Americans.”
ASPIRE PAC
U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of ASPIRE, said, “Kai has proven himself to be a strong leader, unafraid to tackle tough issues and find solutions to some of Hawaii’s most difficult problems.”
ASPIRE PAC is the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress. The acronym stands for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering Political Action Committee. It supports candidates of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent and those that support and promote the issues of the AAPI community.
BOLD PAC
As the campaign arm of the Hispanic Caucus focused on increasing Latino representation in Congress and supporting progressive Democrats who embrace bold policies, the BOLD PAC endorsed Kahele and said, “Kai Kahele is running to improve access to affordable healthcare, improve our public education system, and protect our environment and natural resources.”
Kahele is one of 12 non-Latino Democratic U.S. House candidates that the BOLD PAC is endorsing. CHC BOLD PAC Chairman Tony Cárdenas said, “We are supporting committed people who are going to join Congress to rebuild America. They are going to build on the diverse Democratic majority we fought so hard to gain in 2018.”
Congressional Black Caucus PAC (CBCPAC)
The Congressional Black Caucus PAC said, “A Native Hawaiian, a husband and father, a pilot, a United States Air National Guard officer, and the Majority Floor Leader for the Hawaii State Senate would make a great addition to the United States House of Representatives. Kai Kahele has comprehensive and progressive plans for the residents of Hawai’i and the CBCPAC proudly endorses his campaign for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District!”
CBCPAC works to increase the number of African Americans in the U.S. Congress, supports non-Black candidates that champion its interests, and promotes African American participation in the political process.
Other Endorsements
Other organizations that have endorsed Kahele include: 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; and Asian American Action Fund.
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; and National Nurses United.
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.