SENATE PRESIDENT KOUCHI APPLAUDS THE RELAUNCHING OF THE WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON ASIAN AMERICANS, NATIVE HAWAIIANS, AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8 – Kauaʻi and Niʻihau) issued a statement today following the White House’s announcement officially relaunching the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI):
“Mahalo nui to President Biden and his administration for relaunching the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI). This whole-of-government approach to support AANHPI communities across the country will ensure we have a collective voice at the federal level.
The appointment of Hawaiʻi natives, Krystal Kaʻai and Erika Moritsugu to key White House positions and the administration’s decision to change the name of the Initiative to explicitly include Native Hawaiians is a testament to President Biden’s promise to elevate the voices of our most underrepresented communities.
The Hawaiʻi State Senate looks forward to collaborating with WHIAANHPI and its federal partners to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for our AA and NHPI communities.”
WHIAANHPI will be led by Executive Director Krystal Kaʻai and co-chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and United States Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai.
For more information, visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/whiaanhpi.