After graduating from high school 1988, I was accepted into the School of Architecture at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. However, after a semester of learning some of the finer points of architectural drawing, I found my interests pulling me in another direction. I was fortunate enough to land an internship at the State Capitol, which led to a full-time position as a Legislative Aide. I still remember feeling an overwhelming sense of purpose, when I first walked through the halls of the Hawaii State Capitol. I knew immediately that this was where I was meant to be and this building and the people in it would play a significant role in my life. At that time, I confided in my administrative supervisor, Glenn Nakamura, in the Senate that I felt a sense of purpose at the Capitol and someday I would like to run for public office. He knew my interest was genuine and took the time to explain various legislative issues, as well the strategies and negotiations involved "behind-the-scenes." I am so very fortunate to have learned so much from him and he continues to serve as my mentor, counselor, friend, and advisor. He's given me the best advice in the 15 years that I have know him and that is if I choose to run for public office, I do it for the "right" reason. So after 5 years at the Senate, I decided to step away from the political arena, earn my Bachelor's Degree, and gain more "life experience" to broaden my perspective.

I was hired as an Executive Assistant to the Secretary General of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) here in Honolulu. PBEC is a non-profit organization comprising powerful corporate executives around the Pacific who meet twice annually throughout Asia and the Pacific region to promote trade and investment relations. In my capacity as Executive Assistant, I was blessed to have met the likes of Dr. Helmut Sohmen, Chairman of World Wide Shipping Agency in Hong Kong, Mr. Gary L. Tooker, Retired Chairman of Motorola, Inc. in Illinois, and Dr. Kosaku Inaba of Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries, Inc. of Tokyo, Japan.

During my 7 years at PBEC, I watched how people, like Dr. Sohmen, interacted with other CEOs, administrative staff, hotel housekeepers, restaurant servers, etc. and they treated everyone they encountered as their equal with utmost respect, absent of any prejudicial or preferential treatment, and I remembered thinking that I want to be like that always. Their incredible humility, genuineness in character, and integrity have had a profound impact on my life, and I promised myself to live by these examples always. I carry that memory with me every single day since and it governs my every action and interaction with all whom I encounter on my life's journey. I hope that our paths will cross again some time in the future so that I could express my gratitude to them for they forever changed my life.

Then in January 2001, I decided it was time to come back to the State Capitol, where I currently work as Republican Caucus Aide for 20 Republican legislators in the House of Representatives. I am privileged to attend daily caucuses where ideas to reduce the size of government, improve our educational system, and energize a weakening economy are formulated. It's a privilege for me because not many people have the opportunity to attend these "executive committee" sessions and I am fortunate to learn firsthand the strategies required to improve our way of life here. Because of this, I feel a sense of obligation to pass on this "education of a lifetime" and to join these bold leaders, like Rep. Charles Kong Djou, to help chart a course for a better future for our State. It's a responsibility that we feel we need to take, because if we don't, then who will, and if not now, then when? We're already in a great deal of trouble: teachers who use their own money to buy supplies, high school graduates who can't read, government leaders who shift moneys from one government fund to cover immediate expenses only to create monumental debt that future generations will be forced to pay off. These are just a few "wrongs that need to be made right."

It's easy and even sensible at times to be apathetic, to move out-of-state, to make a better life elsewhere, where it's more affordable. Sadly, all of my close friends have moved to the mainland to do just that and I don't blame them, but it demands determination, discipline, and sacrifice to stick around when times are tough and build a life here, to put the public's needs before my personal priorities, and to offer oneself as an agent of change to help fix a system that's obsolete and redirect the course of our State to a better, brighter place for our keiki. With the help of valued friends, family, and mentors, I choose to do just that.

I did a lot of soul-searching and I believe there's a reason for me to have come full-circle back to the Capitol. I believe it's not too late for our State. I believe we can still make a difference. I believe that to help my community, respect those who've laid the foundation before me, and honor those who will come after me is to return the goodness that I've been very blessed to receive. There is a bright future ahead for all of us, and I am willing to make a long-term commitment to you to work with other bright young leaders, like Rep. Djou, to make a change for Hawaii's tomorrow. I hope you'll give me a chance and the privilege to serve. We deserve a better future and I am determined to fight for it.