Our voice as Hawaiians never feels like it is big enough for the mainland to hear us.

In Hawaii I grew up with an understanding that our keiki are important because they are our future. Keiki were never considered to be a burden.

Baby’s first luau came about because life was precious and we celebrated it. When families couldn’t care for their keiki, for whatever reason, our community would hanai them. So it is hard to think that some states are celebrating when laws are passed to end the lives of keiki because they may be a burden.

My voice may be small, but an unborn keiki has no voice yet, so I will raise my voice to speak for them. I refuse to accept and celebrate laws that kill our future generations.

Kristen Pahukoa-Sardinha

Makawao, Maui

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