Kia’aina spent a few days on Guam this week to meet with friends and colleagues. She departs back to Hawaii today.
The 48-year-old congressional hopeful was born and raised on Guam, having lived in the village of Asan and Mangilao. Her family lived on Guam for 40 years. While here, they opened up Dukes Nursery, and her father was an organizer and founder of many golf clubs on Guam.
She attended San Vicente Catholic School until her parents gave her the opportunity to complete high school in Hawaii to learn more about her Hawaiian roots.
Kia’aina is running for the seat being vacated by Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, who’s running for U.S. Senate. Of this opportunity, she states it’s very rare that Hawaii has an open seat.
Currently, Kia’aina works as the chief advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, whose mission is to improve the conditions of Native Hawaiians.
She’s also served two terms as chief of staff and legislative director to former Delegate Robert Underwood.
“I believe I’m the right person at the right time for the right job,” Kia’aina said of her political pursuit.
Experience
With more than 20 years of public policy and community experience in Washington D.C., Hawaii, and the Pacific region, Kia’ana has served as chief of staff to former Congressman Ed Case, and as legislative assistant to Sen. Daniel Akaka, both of Hawaii.
“Through all of those experiences, I’ve never forgot about Guam,” Kia’aina said, recalling a joyful time working for Underwood.
“While I’ve always been behind the scenes, I believe that I have what it takes to get things done in Washington,” she said.
“With all of these attacks both on our critical social programs – social security, Medicare and Medicaid – as well as attacks on native peoples, my specialty is native rights; it’s more imperative that we not only have someone who knows what they’re doing and knows how to get things done, but I think is knowledgeable about how to fight for Hawaii and to fight for the issues that he or she believes in. And I believe that I possess those qualifications.”
She will soon be resigning as chief advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs so she can focus on her quest for the congressional seat.
“Because of this combat between running for office and doing my job well, I have announced in Hawaii that I will be resigning from my post at the end of December and campaigning full-time in January moving forward until the election in August,” Kia’aina stated.
Fundraiser
A fundraising event for Kia’aina was held at the Guam Marriott Resort & Spa on Tuesday, where many family friends and colleagues attended.
She was overwhelmed by the amount of support from the community.
“It was very personal to me,” Kia’aina said with a smile. “It encompassed my personal life when I was a little girl and my professional life when I worked for Underwood.”
If she wins, part of her agenda is to strengthen Hawaii’s overall relationship with Guam.
“I believe more people should understand the consequences of what is happening here – not only with the military buildup, but in general; and also of Micronesia as it pertains to federal policy toward the Pacific region. … As the U.S. increases its outreaches into the Asia-Pacific region … I believe that Guam and Hawaii needs to stand out more,” Kia’aina stated.
“One thing is clear, and that is at the same time I will advocate for Hawaii, I will not forget Guam – it’s not a matter of priorities,” she pointed out.
“I think that the world is too interconnected and it’s in Hawaii’s interest as well as Guam’s interest to know what is happening both politically and economically in both places – as well as socially – especially with what’s going on with the quest for self-determination.”
