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In This Edition:
* The State Chair's letter
* Prince Kuhio Dinner | April 5th
* State Convention | May 24th & 25th
* Special Appointment HD 18 Forum | April 6
* URGENT Major Rewrite of Gun Legislation
* All Coalitions Meeting | April 12th
* "Know where your Money Goes"
* Election Integrity Briefing with Mark Cook (see flyers below)
* The Republican report (At the Capitol)

Chair's Corner


Aloha Republican ‘Ohana,

As we enter the month of April, I’m filled with both gratitude and hope. Despite the challenges we’ve faced and continue to face, there’s a growing sense of unity, RESILIENCE, and purpose across our counties. We just wrapped up a round of county conventions on Maui, Kauai, and O‘ahu, and I want to thank everyone who participated in these county elections.

I had the honor of serving as Convention Chair for Maui, my home district. It was a refreshing and positive experience where members engaged meaningfully in the process, participating in a respectful and spirited way under the guidance of Robert’s Rules of Order. We actually ended on a good note...proof that when we work together with structure and purpose, we win more than just votes.

O‘ahu also had a strong showing, electing a great new county team under the leadership of Convention Chair Brett Kulbis. As we welcome our newly elected county chairs, Marie Ruhland (East Hawaii), Monique Pierrera (West Hawaii), Tammy Perkins (Maui), Steve Yoder (Kauai), and Nolan Chang (Honolulu) — I look forward to all of us working together to strengthen our State Party and prepare for the important 2026 elections.

Looking ahead, our State Convention is just around the corner on May 24–25 on Kauai. We will gather to consider amendments to the bylaws and elect our State Officers. Many have asked whether I will run again... again, I haven’t made that decision yet. My focus right now is ensuring we have a successful, meaningful convention where every delegate feels heard and inspired, and we choose strong names to present to Governor Greene. Which I appreciate the support and participation of the New County Chair, Nolan Chang, and House Reps. Diamond Garcia, and Lauren Matsumoto.

I’m also excited to announce our Parliamentarian will be Al Gage, and we’re honored to welcome Dr. Robin Armstrong from Texas as our special guest at the State Convention. There are still delegate and alternate slots available, so I encourage you to visit www.thehawaiirepublicanparty.com ([link removed]) and click the Convention tab for more information.

In the meantime, we still have important roles to fill at the State level, including Executive Director, Finance Chair, and Treasurer. If you feel called to serve or know someone who may be a good fit, please email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Likewise, if you are a registered Republican living in District 18 and interested in being considered as one of the three nominees to replace Rep. Gene Ward, I encourage you to reach out. We thank Gene Ward for his years of service and wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter.

This weekend also marks our annual Prince Kūhiō Dinner, taking place on Saturday, April 5th at Artistry on Cook Street. Doors open at 5:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity to support the Party, Honor Prince Kuhio and gather in the spirit of aloha and liberty. We have a great program and guest speakers planned, to include some of our elected officials. (see below for details)

Tickets are available at: [link removed] ([link removed])

Lastly, I want to acknowledge Liberation Day. Today reminds us of the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. As we continue our work to restore integrity, strength, and unity to our Party and to our State, may we never forget that liberty is not something we inherit passively...it is something we must fight for, protect, and pass on with purpose.

Mahalo for your continued prayers, your time, and your commitment. We are moving forward...one convention, one conversation, and one conviction at a time.
With warmest regards,
Tamara McKay
Chair, Hawaii Republican Party


** Join Us for a Night of Fun and Fundraising in Honor of Prince Kuhio!

Date: Saturday, April 5th, 2025 | Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
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Step into an evening of elegance, excitement, and camaraderie as we gather to celebrate the legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, a champion of the people of Hawaii. Hosted by the Hawaii Republican Party, this Casino Night will be an unforgettable fundraising event filled with entertainment, games, and the spirit of aloha!


Event Highlights:

Casino Games – Try your luck at various casino games with fun money for a chance to win fabulous prizes!

Food and Drinks – Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and two (2) drink tickets for your choice of beverages.

Live Entertainment and guest speakers:
Groove to live music and cultural performances inspired by Hawaii's rich heritage and special guest speakers. We will have a special guest from Guam and our amazing Republican Elected officials.

Items & Raffles:
Get raffle tickets for a chance for some great items. $10 donation for 12 tickets

You can also use your fun money winnings to get raffle tickets at the event. Or use your fun money for some great prizes.


This evening is an opportunity to reflect on Prince Kuhio’s contributions
while supporting the Hawaii Republican Party’s efforts to strengthen our community and advance our shared principles. A great prize for the person who has the most casino chip winnings.


Attire: Aloha Chic or Casino Glam – Dress to impress!


**
Tickets:
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General Admission: $75 per person, early bird tickets, $85 after March 20th, 2025.


Click the link ( ([link removed]) here ([link removed]) ) ([link removed]) to see more options and purchase your tickets

For more information, contact us at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


** State Convention
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Dates: May 24–25, 2025

Location: Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Kapaa, Hawaii

Cost: $75 for two days

Link to purchase tickets (Here ([link removed]) ) or use the QR Code Below.


[link removed]

See the Hawaii Republican Party website for more information (here ([link removed]) )

TOWN HALL FORUM

Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 2:00 pm

Hahaione Elementary
595 Pepeekeo St.

SELECT PANEL MEMBERS & MEET CANDIDATES


CANDIDATE SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Saturday, April 5, 2025 | by 5:00 pm

Submit Resume & short essay of 500 words or less of
“WHY YOU ARE RUNNING”

Send submission to: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Why%20You%20Are%20Running)


YOU MUST BE A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 18.

To begin the process, complete the form below (link)

[link removed]

First-round Candidate Interviews
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | Starting 5:00 pm

Zoom Meeting (Link Will Be Provided To Candidates)

Final Panel Hearing & Decision
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 8:30 Am – 12:00 noon

Hawaii State Capitol, Caucus Room
Your Participation Is Crucial
For More Info: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=More%20info%20on%20D-18%20Candidate%20forum)

[link removed]
[From HiFiCo ([link removed]) (Hawai'i Firearms Coalition)]

Hey everyone,

As a law-abiding firearm owner in Hawai‘i, I’m writing this because something serious just happened at the Capitol, and most people have no idea it even occurred. A bill that was originally just about banning .50 caliber firearms has been completely rewritten behind closed doors—and it now threatens the rights of every responsible gun owner in the state.

Let me explain what went down and how you can help stop it.

What SB401 Was Supposed to Do:

When SB401 was first introduced, it was pretty straightforward. The original version (SB401 SD2) was a short, focused bill—less than 500 words. It proposed a ban on .50 caliber firearms but included exemptions for legally owned guns and antique firearms. Whether you agreed with it or not, at least it was clear, and the public had a chance to weigh in.

>> What Happened on March 13 Changed Everything<<

During a hearing on March 13 in the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, Chair Rep. David Tarnas inserted language from a completely different bill (HB893) into SB401. This new version—called SB401 HD1—is now over 2,600 words long and has been completely rewritten into an assault weapons ban.

That’s right. In one vote, this bill went from targeting .50 caliber rifles to banning all semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, adding new definitions like “assault shotgun” and “fixed magazine,” restricting magazine capacity, and even creating new criminal penalties.

And here's the worst part…

The Public Wasn't Told the Truth
Despite the massive changes, the official bill comittee report STILL says:
“The purpose of this measure is to include any firearm with the capacity to fire ammunition of fifty caliber or higher"

That's not just misleading—it’s deceptive. And it could very well violate the Hawai‘i Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling against “gut and replace” tactics, which are supposed to be unconstitutional. That ruling said bills must be read three times in their final form so the public and lawmakers know what they’re voting on.

This version of SB401? It hasn’t gone through that process.
This Affects All of Us
Even if you don’t own a semi-auto rifle, even if you think the original .50 cal ban was fine—this should worry you. This kind of political maneuvering sets a dangerous precedent where laws can be rewritten without notice, and your rights can be restricted with little to no public input.

We can’t let that happen.

Here’s How You Can Help
We need to speak up now and tell House leadership not to advance SB401 HD1 any further. The bill in its current form needs to be stopped.

#1 Please take a few minutes to call or email the following representatives and politely ask them to oppose SB401 HD1 and prevent it from being scheduled for a full House vote:

📞 Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura – (808) 586-6100
📞 Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama – (808) 586-6220
📞 Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto – (808) 586-9490

Let them know you support transparent, lawful legislation—not rushed and rewritten bills that mislead the public.

#2 Share This Info
I’ve also put together a social media thread and graphic to help spread the word. Feel free to repost, tag friends, or email your local reps. The more noise we make, the harder it will be for them to ignore us.

If we don’t stand up now, we could lose more than just our firearms—we could lose our voice in the process.

Stay informed. Stay active. Stay free.


** "Know where your money goes"
fundraising initiative
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Know Where Your Money Goes
At the Hawaii Republican Party, we believe in transparency and giving our donors the power to make a difference where it matters most to them. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our "Know Where Your Money Goes" fundraising initiative—a unique opportunity to choose how your contribution is spent.
With this program, you can directly impact the areas that resonate most with your values and priorities. Whether you want to support our operations, amplify our message, or invest in the tools needed to grow our grassroots movement, the choice is yours!


Donate today and tell us where your money goes! 🌺
(click here) ([link removed])


** Election Integrity Briefing
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with
Cyber Expert Mark Cook
(Check the flyers dates, times and locations)


** Big Island Hawai'i
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** Maui
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** Kauai
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Not paid for by the Hawaii Republican Party. No candidate or committee endorsed.
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