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Democratic Rep. Kai Kahele announces run for Hawai‘i governor

Losing Kahele, a strong proponent for data disaggregation, will deal a blow to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander representation in D.C.
Photo of Kai Kahele speaking from a podium
Photo courtesy of Kai Kahele's campaign website

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Rep. Kai Kahele (D) announced Saturday that he will leave Congress to run for Hawai‘i governor. 

The first-term congressman replaced Tulsi Gabbard (D) in 2020 to represent Hawai‘i’s 2nd congressional district. He is the 49th current House member—31 Democrats and 18 Republicans—to announce they will not run for re-election. In giving up his seat, Kahele is among the shortest-tenured politicians to represent Hawai‘i in Congress, the Honolulu Civil Beat reports. If elected, he would be the second Native Hawaiian to serve as governor.

"I have dedicated my life to serving the people of Hawai‘i , and if given the honor to serve as your governor, I will continue the mission," Kahele said Saturday. "Today, I have one clear message for those who think they can buy our government: Hawai‘i is not for sale."

His priorities are focused on boosting the state's economy so residents don't have to leave for the continental U.S. and ensuring Hawai‘i honors its commitments to Native Hawaiians, which include the return of ancestral lands and support for education and housing.

Kahele, only the second Native Hawaiian ever to serve in Congress, has come under heavy scrutiny because of his absence from Capitol Hill. He has mostly relied on proxy voting since the start of the year, allowing him to vote on measures without physically being in House chambers.

Losing Kahele, one of the most visible proponents of data disaggregation on Capitol Hill, will deal a blow to the congressional AAPI caucus as well as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander representation in D.C.

Kahele joins a crowded Democratic primary field, which includes former Hawai‘i First Lady Vicky Cayetano and current Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Incumbent Gov. David Ige (D) is term-limited and therefore ineligible to run for re-election. 

First-term Hawai‘i state Rep. Patrick Pihana Branco (D) has launched a campaign to run for Kahele's seat.

The state has struggled to adjust in the last year amid a staggering tourism crisis, disproportionate COVID-19 deaths among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and a water contamination emergency after major fuel spills at the Navy's Red Hill facility in Oahu.

Hawai‘i’s primary election is slated for Aug. 13.


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