Native Hawaiian legislators invited to the White House

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. State Senators Dru Mamo Kanuha and Jarrett Keohokalole, state Rep. Darius K. Kila, and Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaʻāina have all 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 state Rep. Kila, 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.”

State Senate Majority Leader Dru Mama Kanuha, a Native Hawaiian, said the day is “a vital opportunity to address the unique challenges [Hawaiians] face while celebrating cultural legacy.”

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.

Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘āina will participate on a panel entitled “Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Trailblazers.” She previously served in Washington D.C. for over 20 years for the Hawai‘i and Guam Congressional delegations, as well as the US Department of the Interior under the Obama Administration.