Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, May 8, 2022

    Takuda served as a staff member for Sen. Mazie Hirono when Hirono was Lieutenant Governor. Takuda also served in the Hawai'i State Senate for a dozen years, representing Kane'ohe and Kailua. She has a strong financial background, having chaired the Ways & Means Committee to balance the state's budget. She also chaired Labor, Education, Higher Education and Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs committees. She led the effort to establish the first Executive Office on Early Learning to create preschool for all and helped to fund Hawai'i Promise Program that provides free in-state tuition to qualified University of Hawai'i Community College students. She also created the Special Action Team on Rental Housing to construct over 20,000 units by 2026.
    Takuda is a graduate of Castle High School and earned a B.A. in International Relations from George Washington University. She is married to Kyle Michibata and they have two sons, Matt and Aden.

Jill Takuda, of Kane'ohe, is running to represent Ka'u and all of rural Hawai'i in Congress.

    Takuda said, "Today on Mother's Day, we take time to honor and thank all moms and mom-figures in our lives for their hard work and sacrifices. For me, today is a personal reminder of how my life changed the day I became a mother. As parents, everything we do and the decisions we make all 
come back to our children.
    "We work hard to encourage and enable our kids to follow their dreams. Last week our boys gave me an early Mother's Day present – a card with a hand-drawn picture and the words "you got this!"– to remind me that it was okay for me to also pursue my dreams.
    "With those three words from my sons and the support of my family, I am officially announcing my candidacy for Hawai'i's Second Congressional district
    "There is urgent work in Congress that needs immediate attention and I know my service to Hawai'i can be most effective as a committed advocate in Congress. If elected, I will make it my priority to fight for every dollar for every family across our state. I understand the significant impact that federal dollars have on our economy and residents, and will work hard on behalf of all families, small businesses and children.
    "Over the past eight months I've traveled across the state meeting with people and listening to both the challenges and the hopes they have for Hawaii. There are deep concerns as our communities recover from the last two years, and the conversations are dominated by the frustration over quality education for our keiki that lead to good jobs here in Hawaiʻi; access to healthcare and mental health services, especially in our rural communities; and the need for more resources and support for basic needs like public safety and housing. Families are overwhelmed by rising prices for household and daily expenses, and we need to act now and help provide solutions and opportunities.

Congressional candidate Jill Takuda with her husband Kyle Michibata and sons  Matt and Aden. Photo from Jill Takuda

    "As a mom of two teenaged boys, living in a multi-generational home -- I understand the urgency in people's voices -- because I have the exact same concerns in my family. I'm hearing it, while I'm living it.
    "I was in Washington D.C. last week Monday when the news about the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade broke. That evening I stood in solidarity and disbelief with hundreds of others in front of the Supreme Court building and vowed to defend the reproductive rights, the human rights, of women across our country. We cannot stand on the sidelines and let this basic right to control and make choices about our bodies be taken away. This will be the first of many attacks on our rights if we do nothing, and I will not have our girls grow up with less freedoms than what we have now.
    "While we may live more than 7,000 miles from our nation's capital, the decisions made in Washington DC directly impact each and every one of us living across our island state. I believe public servants should be held to a high-standard to do what's best for their constituents, and I am committed to taking action to restore trust and faith in government. I know I need to keep earning the trust of voters, and if given the opportunity, I plan to be in DC representing and fighting for Hawaii for the long term.
     "This race isn't going to be easy and we have a lot of work ahead. But the time for action is now – Hawaiʻi needs strong leadership at all levels of government.
    "I humbly ask voters to stand with me as we fight to give all of Hawai'i families a voice in Congress."

Bongbong Marcos and other contenders for President of the Philippines ask for Filipinos in Hawai'i to vote for them. Photo from the Philippine Star

teams from Ka'u, Miloli'i and beyond. Here are the results:
    14 Division: Mauloa took first, followed by Miloli'i Ka'u girls, Miloli'i-Ka'u Boy's 13 U, and Miloli'i Boys.
    12 Division - Cuzin's Co-ed took first, followed by Piopo'o Paliko, Mauloa and Miloli'i Girls.
    10 Division - Cuzn's Co-ed took first, followed by Mauloa, Miloli'i Co-ed and Malulani.