Fireworks, flags, face painting, family and food is how we in Hawaii celebrate the Fourth of July.  Of course, the real celebration is to honor our founding fathers and the 238th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As Americans, we were given a road map to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That road map is our guide and an important building block in the foundation of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

As Democrats, we also hold dear that one singular and most powerful truth, that all men are created equal, and we strive to ensure that equality and equal opportunity is our top priority in all that we do. We also celebrate the freedom that our men and women in uniform who serve around the world work hard to protect. As the newly elected chairperson, a woman and a neighbor islander, I am proof positive that equality, affirmative action and the freedom to express our own opinions are alive and well in Hawaii nei.    

Stephanie Ohigashi is chairperson of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.