Big Island’s Sen. Kanuha among Native Hawaiian legislators attending inaugural White House event

Three Hawaiʻi State Legislators and a member of the Honolulu City Council are in Washington on Friday to share their insights about matters facing Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders at the White House.

Sen. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Rep. Darius K. Kila and Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaʻāina are attending the inaugural White House Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Convening.

This event brings together community advocates, private sector leaders, elected officials, artists, and federal appointees and staff to celebrate Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures and achievements, while highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address key issues impacting these communities.

“Beyond acknowledgments, this meeting offers a crucial opportunity to tackle pressing issues head-on — protecting indigenous intellectual property and preserving our cultural identity,” said Kila (D-44 Honokai Hale, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili), who spearheaded the Legislature’s Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group.

“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.”

Kanuha (D-3 Kona, Kaʻū, Volcano) said the events is a “vital opportunity to address the unique challenges our people face while celebrating our cultural legacy.”

Kia‘āina had served in Washington for more than 20 years for the Hawai‘i and Guam Congressional delegations and the U.S. Department of the Interior under the Obama Administration. She will be participating on a panel entitled “Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Trailblazers.”