August 3, 2021
Aloha mai kākou!

This month, we marked 200 days of the 117th Congress. In that time, your congressional delegation has worked For The People to advance priorities important to families across Hawaiʻi and Americans nationwide.

As we continue to fight back against the COVID-19 pandemic and recharge our economy, Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) and I invite you to join our virtual "talk story," this Thursday at 6:30pm HST on Facebook Live. We hope you will tune in!

Me ka haʻa haʻa (with humility),

Kai
Follow me on social media @RepKahele!
Kū I Ke Aka O Nā Kūpuna
Standing in the Shadow of the Ancestors
On the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA) of 1920, a delegation from Hawaiʻi gathered in Washington D.C. to commemorate Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole's signature piece of legislation. The HHCAʻs original intent was to enable native Hawaiians to return to their lands in order to support self-sufficiency and self-determination. This bill established a federal land trust of approximately 200,000 acres to create a permanent land trust for native Hawaiians, to build homes, farms, ranches and to otherwise engage in commercial, industrial or economic activities.
 
Click below to watch a recap of the events held in honor of Prince Kūhiō and his legacy of Kū I Ke Aka o Nā Kūpuna, or Standing in the Shadow of the Ancestors. The anniversary events included the blessing of my Washington D.C. office and Congressman Ed Case's office, lei draping ceremonies at the King Kamehameha I and Saint Damien statues in the U.S. Capitol building, a visit to Delegate Jonah Kūhiō's historical office in the Cannon House Office Building, a ceremony at the Moku o Keawe pōhaku at the National Museum of the American Indian and a joint press conference with Native Hawaiian leaders in front of the U.S. Capitol commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the HHCA.
100th Anniversary of the HHCA
The HHCA is the most significant piece of federal legislation for the advancement of native Hawaiians. One hundred years later, we commemorate its passage.

As a delegate to the then-Territory of Hawaiʻi with no power to vote, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s ability to pass this landmark legislation proved his talent as a skilled statesman and a remarkable leader. It is my kūleana to continue the work of Prince Kūhiō who fought tirelessly to strengthen his beloved people and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
Conversations with Kai
Medicare for All
I sat down with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) to talk story about expanding healthcare coverage for Americans under the Medicare for All Act of 2021. Americans are unmatched in paying the most per capita for health care than any other country in the world, yet nearly half of all adults under the age of 65 are reported as uninsured or underinsured. Medicare for All would guarantee health care to every American as a human right and finally put people over profits and care over corporations.
Reenlistment Ceremony of Master Chief Petty Officer Wes Tavares
I was honored to attend and participate in the reenlistment ceremony of Hilo’s own, US Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Wes Tavares.

A 1996 Waiākea High School graduate, he enlisted in the Navy a month and a half after graduation. Tavares is Native Hawaiian and his ʻohana is the Leslie family from the Hōnaunau-Nāpoʻopoʻo ahupua’a.

Today he is the top enlisted aide to the top military officer in the nation, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Mark Milley.
Reimbursing Our National Guard
Earlier this month, I spoke on the U.S. House floor urging Congress to immediately pay back the $521 million owed to our National Guard who reported for duty at our nationʻs Capitol following the deadly January 6th insurrection.

Nine days later, we passed the Emergency Security Supplemental to repay our Guard. The legislation has now been signed by President Biden and honors our commitment to our civilian soldiers who are "always ready, always there."
Hawaiʻi Office Wounded Warrior Fellowship
My Hawaiʻi office headquartered in Hilo is participating in the prestigious Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program.

We continue to accept applications for a wounded and/or disabled eligible veteran for a two-year paid fellowship. Apply now to join Team Kahele.
Fair and Open Skies Act
As an active commercial airline pilot, I have experienced first-hand the rigorous training and evaluations that every U.S. pilot, crew member and air carrier is required to complete in order to operate. The U.S. aviation industry is one of the safest in the world because of our thorough training and safety requirements.

We passed the Fair and Open Skies Act through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to protect American jobs from unfair competition and ensures no airline can undermine our gold standard for aviation safety. In addition, I worked to include a section of the Fairs and Open Skies Act in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill to ensure that new foreign air carrier permits are only issued when it is in the public interest.
E mālama pono iā ʻoe! Please take care!
Reach out to me and my staff at the numbers below or visit my website, kahele.house.gov if we can assist you in any way.

Mahalo!
D.C. Office
1205 Longworth
House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-4906
Fax: (202) 225-4987
Hawaiʻi Office
99 Aupuni St
Suite 118
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 746-6220