Hawaii is my heart.  Though my Dad came from the Philippines and I am a pinay, I am as American as apple pie and as local as spam musubi!  I was born in Honolulu, raised in Mililani - "grown here not flown here" as we say—a true Keiki o ka ‘Āina.   
 
From Hawai'i's public schools, I launched into adulthood, earning a fantastic education from the University of Florida. I served our nation for 24 years in the United States Air Force, proudly retiring with the rank of Colonel.  I've traveled to all 50 states and 66 countries.  I have seen and done amazing feats and I've witnessed the worst human atrocities.  When my military career ended, I was blessed to return to our beloved Hawai'i.  The longer I am here, however, the more concerned I am that what makes us unique is being lost in politics. 
 
We all start with aloha, it binds us together.  Racism just didn't exist to me growing up, I know I have Hawai'i to thank for that.  Yet, I see some of that ugliness being imported to our shores...for politics.  I find it stupefying that Senator Hirono, herself an immigrant to Hawaii and a naturalized citizen, would casually toss language and imagery disparaging all of President Trump's supporters as "white supremacists", including the ones here in Hawai'i, myself among them.
 
That's not the language of aloha!  Not one bit.  Politics should never, ever trump our fundamental way of life.  It seems Senator Hirono has been in high demand, she's been all over the airwaves to "talk stink" about our President!  Maybe she forgot that she REPRESENTS Hawai'i.  She should be more concerned about exporting aloha than importing hate.  I can cite all the statistics to show how wrong she is...from President Trump's Cabinet appointments to unprecedented employment for Black, Hispanic and all Americans to the FIRST STEP Act.  But what I really want her to hear is the voice of the people of this beautiful state.  We don't have a problem with "white supremacy" in our islands, but we absolutely have a problem with jobs.   We don't have a problem with "racism" in our islands,  but we absolutely do have families hurting over the cost of living. Her message is just painfully wrong! Hawai'i is a beacon of hope for a nation that desperately needs a model of working together.  What we do here for each other should be the first things out of our senator's mouth, not the last. 
 
The people of Hawai'i are united in our common love of Liberty and our sure belief in the bright promise of the United States of America.  Our president is gearing the nation up for another unprecedented economic run.  Hate has no home here in Hawai'i.  We believe aloha can heal the nation.  I'm working on behalf of President Trump to "Keep America Great!"  I challenge Senator Hirono to do the same.