Kaialiʻi Kahele

Kaiali'i Kahele is an American politician and educator who served as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2021 until early 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he is notable for being the second Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress since Hawaii achieved statehood. Prior to his congressional tenure, Kahele was a member of the Hawaii State Senate and has a background as a military and civilian pilot. After his time in the House, he was elected as a trustee to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2024.

Early life and career

Kaiali'i Kahele was born on March 28, 1974, in the small fishing village of Miloli'i, located in South Kona, Hawaii. He is the son of Linda Haggberg and the late Gil Kahele, who was a member of the Hawaii Senate. Growing up in a family with a political background, Kahele was influenced by his father's public service. He completed his secondary education at Hilo High School and pursued higher education at Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1998.

In addition to his educational pursuits, Kahele has had a distinguished career in aviation. He is both a military and civilian pilot, serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Air National Guard. His military career includes multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he logged over 3,000 hours of flight time and commanded C-17 combat missions. His service has earned him numerous accolades, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal for combat missions flown in Afghanistan. In his civilian capacity, he has worked as a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines and has also served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

House tenure

Kahele's political career began in earnest when he was appointed to the Hawaii State Senate in February 2016, following the death of his father. He won a competitive primary election in August 2016 and subsequently secured re-election in 2018. During his time in the state senate, he held various leadership roles, including Majority Floor Leader and chairman of the Senate Committee on Water and Land. He was also involved in several committees, including Ways and Means, Hawaiian Affairs, and Higher Education.

In January 2019, Kahele announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Hawaii's 2nd congressional district. His campaign gained momentum when incumbent Representative Tulsi Gabbard decided not to seek re-election in order to focus on her presidential campaign. Kahele won the Democratic primary on August 8, 2020, and subsequently triumphed in the general election by a substantial margin, becoming the second Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress since Hawaii's statehood.

Kahele's congressional term began on January 3, 2021. During his time in office, he participated in significant legislative actions, including voting in favor of the impeachment of former President Donald Trump following the events of January 6, 2021. His first speech on the House floor addressed this issue, emphasizing the importance of accountability for public officials.

However, Kahele's tenure was not without controversy. From February to April 2022, he cast all of his votes by proxy while working part-time as a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines. This decision raised questions about his commitment to his congressional duties and led to an investigation by the House Ethics Committee regarding potential misuse of official resources for his gubernatorial campaign. Following the scrutiny, Kahele announced his retirement from Congress, with his term officially ending on January 3, 2023.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kahele focused on various issues pertinent to his constituents in Hawaii, including education, economic development, and environmental concerns. His background in education influenced his advocacy for reforms within the University of Hawaiʻi System, where he had previously attempted to introduce legislation aimed at freezing tuition rates and reducing costs for students.

In addition to education, Kahele was involved in initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth in his district. He supported measures that sought to enhance investment in Hilo and East Hawaii, reflecting his commitment to the economic well-being of his constituents. His legislative priorities also included addressing public health issues, such as funding for research related to rat lungworm disease, which has affected residents in Hawaii.

Kahele's experience in the military and aviation sectors informed his approach to national security and transportation issues. His background as a pilot provided him with unique insights into the challenges faced by the aviation industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He sought to advocate for policies that would support both the economic recovery of the airline industry and the safety of air travel.

After concluding his congressional term, Kahele made a political comeback in 2024 when he was elected as a trustee to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. His election to this position reflects his ongoing commitment to serving the people of Hawaii and addressing issues that impact Native Hawaiians and the broader community. As chair of the board, he continues to engage in public service, focusing on the needs and aspirations of his constituents.