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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / JAN. 27
Kai Kahele, the son of the late Sen. Gilbert Kahele, addresses the Senate at a ceremony for his father on the Senate floor.
Gov. David Ige has appointed Kaialii Kahele — more often known as Kai — to his late father’s state senate seat representing Hilo.
Former Sen. Gil Kahele represented Senate District One when he died on Jan. 26, after suffering a series of heart attacks.
“Kai has extensive community support and is committed to completing the work of his father. He has a broad vision for the future of this district and for all of Hawaii Island that will serve his constituents well,” said Ige said in a news release today.
Kai Kahele, 41, is a major in the Hawaii Air National Guard, and is a combat veteran C-17 instructor pilot.
In 2005 he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal and a USAF Air Medal for combat missions flown in Afghanistan, and earlier this month he received the Guard Officer of the Year award at Hickam Air Force Base.
He is also a pilot with Hawaiian Airlines, and is a University of Hawaii at Hilo adjunct faculty member. In 2015, Kai Kahele was also a crew member on the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s canoe Hikianalia.
He lives in the Waiakea Uka neighborhood of Hilo.
Gov Ige has appointed a good man. Kai deserves this recognition. Congratulations to him!
agree..he seems fine until we have the election in November. Seems qualified
….In typical Hawaii fashion.
HA–correct, same DNA, gotta keep it in the family. And, does it really matter??
So what exactly are Kai’s qualifications for public office? He is just a combat vet and commercial airline pilot. And? Answer me, Democrats! I guess the name is more important!
Great decisions by Ige. He’s doing his job well.
Shameless! The government seat does not belong to the family!
House of Lords?
do you live in hilo?
Matter of fact, I did. And I understand. But it’s wrong.
Congratulations Kai. The Governor made a great decision, he will represent his constituents well.
Brilliant! Same logic should be used to replace Scalia.