Formally launching the Hanabusa for Governor campaign on Jan. 8, Colleen Hanabusa was introduced by second-year William S. Richardson School of Law student and Patsy T. Mink Fellow Stacey Gray, who recognized the candidate’s decisive, resolute and action-oriented sense of leadership in her introduction.

Supporters Colleen Hanabusa’s gubernatorial campaign contributed $1,043,061 in the first six months of 2018, outpacing previous efforts.

The figure represents the contributions of 1,111 donors from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2018 (more than double the number reported from the previous filing period). Ninety-five percent of contributions were from individuals.

The campaign committee reports it has raised a total of $1,775,006 from more than 1,400 donors since it was formed.

“It’s very encouraging to see our fundraising accelerate and our donor base more than triple,” Hanabusa said. “Most importantly, our message of strong leadership is resonating with individuals on every island.

“While talking one-on-one with residents on Kaua‘i, Maui, Lāna‘i and Hawai‘i Island over the past week, I was touched to receive an overwhelmingly warm response, with many of our events reaching capacity. Our July 6 ‘talk story’ event in Hilo drew over 700 Hawai‘i Island residents, more than twice the number we anticipated.

“It’s validating to be met with such enthusiastic support and to know our messages of strong leadership, clear vision, accountability and commitment to action are resonating throughout every county.

Endorsements for Hanabusa to be the next governor have also grown, with more than two dozen formal endorsements since the campaign launched on Jan. 8.