Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Three Hawaiʻi State Legislators and a member of the Honolulu City Council are in Washington D.C. today sharing their insights about matters facing Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders at the White House. Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Representative Darius K. Kila, and Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaʻāina have been invited to the White House to attend the inaugural White House Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (NHPI) Convening.
This event brings together NHPI community advocates, private sector leaders, elected officials, federal appointees and staff, and artists, to celebrate NHPI cultures and achievements, while highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address key issues impacting these communities.
“We recognize the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address key issues affecting Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” said Representative Darius K. Kila (D-44 Honokai Hale, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili), who spearheaded the Legislature’s Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group. “But beyond acknowledgments, this meeting offers a crucial opportunity to tackle pressing issues head-on—protecting indigenous intellectual property and preserving our cultural identity. I’ve also raised concerns with the White House about the rising gun violence on the Leeward Coast and the urgent need for a coordinated all-of-government response to ensure our residents’ safety.”
“As a proud Native Hawaiian, it’s a deep honor to represent our community at the White House, and to bring the voices of our people into this important national dialogue,” said Senate Majority Leader Dru Mamo Kanuha (D-3 Kona, Kaʻū, Volcano). “This convening is a vital opportunity to address the unique challenges our people face while celebrating our cultural legacy. I am grateful for the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to NHPI representation, and look forward to collaborating with national leaders to ensure a stronger, more resilient future for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.”
"It is a privilege to speak at the White House on issues facing Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders," said Senator Jarrett Keohokalole (D-24 Kāne‘ohe, Kailua), Co-Chair of the Legislature's Native Hawaiian Caucus. “Our communities deserve a voice, and our issues require creative and collaborative solutions. Mahalo to the Biden-Harris Administration for the invitation, and for continuing to commit to improving the lives of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.”
“I’m heartened and proud of the breadth of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community and political leaders who are engaging at the federal level on issues that are important to our communities,” said Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘āina, who served in Washington, D.C., for over twenty years for the Hawai‘i and Guam Congressional delegations, as well as the U.S. Department of the Interior under the Obama Administration, and will be participating on a panel entitled Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Trailblazers.
In today’s convening, the legislators will participate in discussions with community leaders, federal agencies, and panels focused on addressing key issues facing NHPI communities.
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), established by President Joe Biden through Executive Order 14031, is charged with coordinating a whole-of-government agenda to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities. Learn more at hhs.gov/whiaanhpi.