Kuleana Academy Alumni Running for Office in 2024
As ballots drop, we couldn't be more proud to share the long list of alumni who are political candidates this year, including 12 of them running for reelection!
On Hawaiʻi Island, KA graduate Laura Acasio is running to take back her seat in the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Councilmember Heather Kimball and Councilmember Jennifer Kagiwada are running for reelection on the Hawaiʻi County Council.
In Maui County, Representative Terez Amato of Kīhei is running for reelection to the State House of Representatives, and Representative Mahina Poepoe is running for reelection to her seat, which includes East Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi.
Councilmember Tamara Paltin, who represents West Maui, Councilmember Shane Sinenci, who represents East Maui, Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, who represents Molokaʻi, and Councilmember Gabe Johnson, who represents Lānaʻi, are all running for reelection.
Carol Lee Kamekona, who is running to represent Kahului on the Maui County Council, is hoping to join the four. She was also a candidate in 2022 and 2010. Nara Boone is running again for the Makawao-Haʻikū seat.
On Oʻahu, Representative Amy Perruso of Wahiawā, Representative Natalia Hussey-Burdick of Kailua, and Representative Sonny Ganaden of Kalihi are running again for their house seats.
Summer-Lee Yadao is running for House District 42 in ʻEwa Beach.
Asheemo Koda Daily is running for House District 48 for East Oahu as a Green Party candidate.
On Kauaʻi, Fern Anuenue Holland is running for the second time for the Kauaʻi County Council. She is running for one of the seven available seats, along with 17 other candidates.
Along with our alumni, two of our HAPA board members have stepped up to run for the State House of Representatives. Ikaika Hussey is running for District 29. Kim Coco Iwamoto is running for a third timei in House District 25.
*HAPA is not implying support for any candidate and did not participate in any political campaigns. As a 501c3 we are non-partisan, and do not support candidates or political campaigns
