Hawai‘i’s Ed Case and Kai Kahele Sworn in to 117th Congress

US Congressman Ed Case (D-HI/First District) and Kai Kahele today joined colleagues in the United States House of Representatives in taking their oath of office to serve in the 117th Congress (2021-2023).

“Though this is my fifth oath as Hawaiʻi’s US Representative, never have I felt such a deep sense of obligation to our country to discharge my duties under our Constitution to the very best of my ability,” said Case, who also represented Hawaiʻi’s First District in the just concluded 116th Congress (2019-2021) as well as Hawaiʻi’s Second District in the 109th (2005-2007), 108th (2003-2005) and a portion of the 107th (2001-2003) Congresses.

“And never have I felt that my contributions as a member of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation were more critical to our Hawaiʻi.

“Every Congress since our beginnings has brought its own share of challenges and opportunities, known and unknown, and that is so acutely the case with the 117th Congress. Despite all that we face, we can chart a better path forward starting today, and I will do my utmost in representing all of my constituents in making that happen.

“In all this, I’m deeply honored and pleased that Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele has now officially joined me in representing the home we love in the US House of Representatives.

“Congressman Kahele is as well prepared as any incoming member of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation in our history to discharge the responsibilities we have undertaken, and I expect the very best of him for our country and Hawai’i.”

“I want to thank Congressman Ed Case for his mentorship in helping me prepare for the Opening Day of the 117th Congress,” said Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02).

“His guidance and support over these last few months have been invaluable. He and his staff worked closely with me and my staff leading up to this important day. I look forward to working with him to help move Hawaiʻi forward in the years ahead.”

Congressman Kahele, who was appointed in 2016 to fill the seat of his late father, Senator Gilbert Kahele, was elected on Nov. 3, 2020 to represent Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District.

During his tenure in the Hawaiʻi State Senate, Congressman-elect Kahele served as chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education (2016 – 2018) and the Senate Committee on Water and Land (2018 – 2020). He also served as Majority Whip (2017 – 2018), Majority Floor Leader (2018 – 2020), Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs andwas a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“It has been an honor to represent and serve the people of Hilo in the Hawaiʻi State Senate for the past four years,” said Kahele in an earlier press release as as the Democratic Party sought to fill his state Senate vacancy. “As a member of Congress, I look forward to continue working with our State leaders to rebuild our economy and create a more resilient Hawaiʻi for future generations.”