I want to share a little of my own story, a very personal story, that explains a lot about who I am and what I have done with my life.
My story begins with a heroic mother who rescued her children from poverty and despair. The rest of my life is mostly about the lessons she taught me and how I have tried to use them to fight for the people of Hawai`i.
My mother taught me that no circumstance is beyond the power of courage and that when you know what is right you must find the will to act, even against the greatest of odds.
A Fresh Start
We arrived in Hawai’i with one suitcase. My mother found a job at a Japanese language newspaper and for years we lived in a single room.
America was not the end of our journey. It was the beginning. My mother taught us that here, regardless of our meager circumstances, we could build better lives. I learned to stand up
for myself and others through her example of self-reliance.
Getting Things Done
In politics there is so much noise that it is easy to get lost in the fighting and posturing that take the place of effective action. I have always prided myself on staying focused on getting results.
I know how to listen to others and work with my colleagues, to find common ground and move legislation based upon the trust I have earned over time.
In Washington today, there is no shortage of noisy voices. But there is clearly a need for leaders who can break through the gridlock, end the finger pointing and work with one another to get things done for Hawai`i and for America.
My mother’s heroic example and that of others who fight to do the right thing everyday inspire me to do no less.
