eVols at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Kahele, Kaialiʻi

March 2021 Newsletter

Kahele: State DOT restores 2024 term end date with U.S. Army for Kawaihāpai (Dillingham) Airfield lease

University of Hawaii at Manoa Hamilton Library
eVols Repository https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu
Public relations Speeches
Remarks for the 57th anniversary of
the signing of the Civil Rights Act
Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele Papers
Public relations, Speeches and Statements
https://hdl.handle.net/10524/84301
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Happy Aloha Friday!  
 
Today we celebrate the 57th anniversary of the signing of the Civil 
Rights Act. I’m in the Capitol where we proudly display civil rights 
leaders like... 
 
Rosa Parks… 
(Statuary Hall) 
 
Martin Luther King Jr. …. 
(Rotunda) 
 
Shirly Chisolm … 
(House Connecting Corridor, first floor) 
 
Frederick Douglass... 
(CVC Emancipation Hall) 
 
And all of our black leaders in Congress who have fought for the 
rights at the heart of our democracy.  
(H137, Father Damien) 
 
We must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act To 
keep these leaders’ legacy alive and protect every American’s 
sacred right to vote.  
 
Aloha. 


English

Remarks for the 57th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act

Kahele introduces bipartisan legislation to ensure long-term tenancy to beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and their successors

University of Hawaii at Manoa Hamilton Library
eVols Repository https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu
Public relations Speeches
Remarks at the 48th Annual Maui
Economic Opportunity Senior Fair
Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele Papers
Public relations, Speeches and Statements
https://hdl.handle.net/10524/84318
Items in eVols are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
UHM Library Digital Collections Disclaimer and Copyright Information
Remarks: 48th Annual Maui Economic Opportunity Senior Fair 
 
Aloha kākou!  
  
I’m Congressman Kai Kahele. I wish I could be there in person with all 
of you today. Thank you for the opportunity to share a few words during 
this year’s 48th annual Senior Fair. 
  
As many of you know, M-E-O is a critical part of the Maui community. 
Whether it is help with early education for our keiki; rental and other 
living assistance for families; basic business skills for entrepreneurs; or 
transportation and social programs for our kūpuna, M-E-O is improving 
lives. 
  
This year’s theme, Communities of Strength, celebrates the resiliency of 
our kūpuna, especially during these trying times as we continue to live 
with the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  
At the start of the pandemic, I understand M-E-O doubled the annual 
number of individuals they usually serve. With CARES Act funding, 
you helped more than 12,000 families and 33,000 individuals by 
covering the cost of groceries, mortgages, rent and other living expenses. 
This is a significant achievement. Mahalo for your efforts!  
  
What stands out the most to me are the personal stories of kūpuna that 
have not only benefited from the services of M-E-O, but who have 
triumphed over great adversity and as a result, continue to thrive!  
 
I learned about Arleen, who through M-E-O, and a willingness to learn 
new technology, is now a regular user of Zoom, and uses this acquired 
skill to remain an active participant as president of the Lahaina-Honolua 
Senior Citizens Club, and a member of the Senior Planning and 
Coordinating Council. 
  
I also enjoyed hearing about Audrey, who after losing her job during the 
pandemic, enrolled in M-E-O's Senior Community Service Employment 
Program, which provides on-the-job training for people 55 years and 
older. Congratulations Audrey on completing the program and on your 
new full-time job placement!  
 
These are stories of strength. You should be proud!  
  
As a Native Hawaiian, I grew up learning the value of respecting and 
caring for those who came before me – our kūpuna. It is satisfying to 
know that Maui Economic Opportunity practices these important values 
in all they do. 
  
Mahalo to M-E-O Executive Director, Debbie Cabebe (Kah-bee-bee) 
and the M-E-O staff for their energetic leadership through this 
pandemic. 
  
And to our seniors, our kūpuna who are present today, mahalo nui loa 
for your rich contributions to the Maui community and to all the lives 
you touch, every day. 
  
Best wishes for a wonderful Senior Fair! 
  
A hui hou and Mahalo! 
  
### 
 


Remarks at the 48th Annual Maui Economic Opportunity Senior Fair

For Country Caucus teams up with Operation Gratitude to serve U.S. troops

University of Hawaii at Manoa Hamilton Library
eVols Repository https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu
Public relations Speeches
Coffee Plant Health Initiative
Amendments Act speech
Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele Papers
Public relations, Speeches and Statements
https://hdl.handle.net/10524/84314
Items in eVols are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
UHM Library Digital Collections Disclaimer and Copyright Information
 
It’s a safe bet that the majority of America started their morning with a cup of 
coffee today. Few drinks have the ability to capture our imagination while 
increasing our productivity in the way that coffee does. Yet the plant that gives us 
this crop is under a global threat due to pest and disease.  We risk losing our 
morning cup, and we also risk the livelihood of the growers who stand behind it. 
To prevent that, I am here today to introduce the Coffee Plant Health Initiative 
Amendments Act. 
  
In Hawaii, the heartbeat of agriculture runs on caffeine.  Coffee is our flagship 
crop, led by the world renowned Kona Coffee and closely followed by coffees 
grown in Ka’u on the Big Island, and the neighbor islands of Maui, Oahu and 
Kauai.   The crop supports 1,400 growers on small family farms, most of which are 
under 5 acres in size.  They contribute an estimated $500 million in economic 
benefits to their communities by attracting jobs and driving tourism.  But the 
recent arrival of the devastating Coffee Leaf Rust fungus to Hawaii highlights the 
fragility of this industry, and how additional scientific resources are needed for its 
survival. Rust can devastate the harvest and kill up to 70% of the trees if not 
managed correctly. As an example, the South American Rust epidemic that began 
in 2012 caused a humanitarian crisis that is ongoing today, displacing farmers and 
destroying rural communities. 
  
This Amendments Act broadens the current Coffee Plant Health Initiative to allow 
for research on all plant pests that impact coffee plants. It would permit grants for 
scientists to seek solutions for Rust and other issues.  Such research would 
immediately help our growers in Hawaii, California and Puerto Rico. But it will also 
beneficially assist growers all over the world, and the 189 million Americans that 
regularly enjoy coffee.  It will also help maintain $225 billion in US economic 
activity around this industry.  Please lend your support to this act. 
 


Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act speech

Kahele: Hawaiʻi’s second congressional district receives nearly $27 million for airports

Hirono, Kahele successfully secure final approval for construction of community-based outpatient clinic for Leeward Oahu veterans

Kahele votes to close the gender wage gap and ensure equal pay

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

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