Aloha Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Members,
It is with optimism and enthusiasm that I write to you as the new Chair of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus (HAC).
Mahalo for your ongoing commitment to the HAC and for advancing Native Hawaiian affairs throughout our state. I look forward to working alongside each of you. Together, we will continue advancing Native Hawaiian priorities within the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and our communities.
As Chair, I bring a deep sense of kuleana to this role and a commitment to serving our lāhui. Throughout my journey, I have learned that meaningful leadership requires both respect for the foundations laid by those who came before us and a willingness to prepare for the challenges ahead. By honoring our cultural values while embracing new ideas and opportunities, we can strengthen the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus and help cultivate the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders.
The HAC exists to ensure Native Hawaiian voices are heard within the Democratic Party. Our goal is to reflect the values of aloha, kuleana, mālama ʻāina, and pono in public policy and party leadership.
Our mission extends beyond elections. We advocate for Native Hawaiian self-determination, protect cultural practices and resources, and advance housing, health, education, and economic opportunity for our people. We also hold ourselves and our leaders accountable to these goals.
Today, this work is more important than ever.
We are currently witnessing unprecedented challenges to Native Hawaiian programs and institutions. Recent lawsuits have targeted the Kamehameha Schools admissions policy and the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program. Most recently, challenges have been brought against beneficiary eligibility provisions of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Other legal and political efforts continue to question longstanding programs, trusts, and policies that have served Native Hawaiians for generations.
Though each issue differs, together they remind us that progress requires vigilance. The rights, opportunities, and resources secured by previous generations must be understood, defended, and strengthened.
This moment calls for renewed engagement from all of us.
It requires us to stay informed and educate others about the history and purpose of Native Hawaiian programs. We must actively participate in public policy discussions and ensure Native Hawaiian voices remain at the table whenever decisions affecting our communities are made. Strong Native Hawaiian leadership must be present wherever those decisions occur—whether in our neighborhoods, at the State Capitol, or on the national stage.
We also have a responsibility to help build a Democratic Party that is responsive, inclusive, and committed to the needs of Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaiʻi.
I am encouraged by the energy and vision our new Democratic Party Chair, Makai Freitas, brings to this work. I look forward to working with him and Party leadership to strengthen member engagement, grow our Caucus, and elevate Native Hawaiian issues within the Party. Together, we can build a stronger, more engaged HAC and amplify Native Hawaiian voices throughout Hawaiʻi.
As we begin this next chapter, I want your direct feedback. Your manaʻo and participation will help shape the future of our Caucus. Please complete the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus 2026 Survey at [HAC Survey 2026]. The survey will remain open through June 30, 2026.
The challenges before us are real, but so is our collective strength. Your voice, manaʻo, and leadership matter. I hope you will join me in helping shape the future of our Caucus, our Party, and our lāhui.
Me ke aloha a me ka mahalo,
Mokihana Maldonado
Chair, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus
Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi
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