Opinion: Colleen Hanabusa fights for Native Hawaiian rights

As former leaders familiar with and committed to the well being of Hawai’i’s indigenous people, we see in Colleen Hanabusa someone who shares our passion and commitment to fighting for their rights and improving their condition. Indeed, Colleen is the only candidate for U.S. Senate with a proven record of fighting for the rights of not only Native Hawaiians but America’s Native people as well.

Born in Honolulu, Colleen was raised in Waianae, an area of Hawai’i blessed with a large Native Hawaiian population. Living and growing up in this special place provided Colleen with a deep appreciation for and understanding of the challenges and needs Native Hawaiians face in their daily lives – an appreciation and understanding that allowed her to represent Waianae and Leeward O`ahu as a State Senator with great distinction and effectiveness. As State Senator, Colleen worked vigorously to

• • advance economic development and higher education to provide employment and educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians;
• • ensure adequate funding and proper oversight for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and;
• • address as chair of what was then the Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, the troubling effects of Rice V. Cayetano and State of Hawaii v. Office of Hawaiian Affairs had on the rights of Native Hawaiians