Former state lawmaker and recently returned veteran, Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, announced July 3 that she will run for Honolulu City Council District 6 (Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Liliha, Pauoa Valley, Nu’uanu, Alewa Heights, Papakolea, Kalihi Valley, and portions of Makiki). The following statement was submitted by Ms. Tamayo.
Growing up on Pahulu Street in Kalihi Valley, my parents taught us kids the importance of service—that serving others and making a positive impact on people’s lives is the most rewarding thing you can do with your life. I took this to heart, and have tried to live my life centered around this service attitude.
After serving overseas in the military, and working with U.S. Senator Akaka in Washington, DC. I am so happy to be home, and am honored to offer myself to serve our community once again, on the Honolulu City Council.
I have a record of proven leadership from a very young age, and have continued to succeed in many areas. In 2002 at the age of 21, I became the youngest legislator ever elected in Hawaii’s history when I won her election as State Representative.
Since that time, I have risen to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Hawai’i Army National Guard, earning top awards and accolades in training and in combat while serving on two Middle East deployments (2004-2006 and 2008-2009).
Additionally, working as a Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka in Washington D.C., I assisted him with issues relating to veterans affairs, energy and natural resources, and homeland security.
In these tough times, we are all concerned about making sure our neighborhoods are safe for our kids to grow up in, creating jobs, improving our economy, and ensuring honesty and transparency in government.
Through my service in the military, in Washington, D.C., and in the State Legislature, I have experienced that challenges can be overcome when we set aside our differences, and work together for the common good.
It is in this spirit that I am humbly offering to serve on the city council.