Former state Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo announced yesterday that she is running for the City Council in District 6, which includes downtown, Alewa Heights, Kalihi Valley, and portions of Makiki and Kalihi.

That seat is held by Rod Tam, who cannot run again for the City Council because of term limits.

Tamayo, the youngest legislator ever elected in Hawaii at the age of 21 in 2002, lost her seat in the Legislature two years later. Tamayo volunteered to go to Iraq as a medic in the Hawaii Army National Guard with the 29th Brigade, but could not actively seek re-election because Pentagon rules prevented her from performing legislative responsibilities while on active duty.

A first lieutenant in the Hawaii Army National Guard, Tamayo served in two Middle East deployments and also worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in Washington D.C. Tamayo is the daughter of state Sen. Mike Gabbard. 

"Growing up on Pahulu Street in Kalihi Valley, my parents taught us kids the importance of service — that serving others and making a positive impact on people’s lives is the most rewarding thing you can do with your life," she said. "I took this to heart, and have tried to live my life centered around this service attitude."