Aloha mai kākou,

My name is Kekoa O Pololū Kealoha, and I’m running to represent House District 30 in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. I decided to run because I see a unique opportunity for our community to chart a more independent, self-sustaining path — one that is not at the mercy of shifting federal priorities. The federal government is no longer a reliable partner in sustaining essential programs. We must build systems of continuity right here at home, ensuring that the services keeping our communities strong are never subject to political whim.

My campaign is built on two guiding principles: sustain what’s good and stimulate what’s next.

Kalihi has always been a place of strength, connection, and deep ʻohana. We take care of one another. We show up for each other. These are the values that define us — and they’re worth protecting. But Kalihi also deserves revitalization and renewed investment. Our neighborhoods can thrive again through intentional planning, fair economic opportunities, and better infrastructure that supports our families’ futures.

I was raised in Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island, and I proudly call myself a “Big Island Boy,” but my roots run deep in Kalihi. I came to Oʻahu for school in the seventh grade, residing in the dorms at Kamehameha Kapālama, where I later graduated in 2003. My paternal grandparents’ home in Kalihi has always been the piko of my ʻohana’s connection — it’s the same home where I live today with my family. Many of my core childhood memories were made right here: summer fun at Pālama Settlement, pāʻina and Kani Ka Pila sessions on Tūtū and Papa’s patio, and escaping the summer heat in the freezing AC at Kam Bowl.

Though I didn’t graduate from Farrington — nor did either of my brothers or cousins — we were all raised to cheer, “GO GOVS!” After all, my dad, his siblings, and my Tūtū are all Govs! Now, with a niece at Kalākaua Middle School, I understand the importance of continuity in this community. Soon enough, we’ll be cheering again, “GO GOVS!”

Professionally, I’ve spent over a decade working in the nonprofit sector, primarily in HIV care and prevention. I’ve served on the front lines as an outreach worker, HIV tester, and medical case manager — supporting individuals and families with compassion. I’ve been the person to deliver difficult, life-changing news, and the person to guide clients newly diagnosed with HIV through their care journeys. It’s been one of the most humbling and important experiences of my life.

Today, I manage a federally funded program serving communities across Hawaiʻi. This work has given me firsthand insight into the challenges of navigating federal bureaucracy. I understand the consequences of unstable funding streams and what happens when money promised from the top struggles to reach the people who need it most. That’s why I want to work at the policy level, where I can help shape systems that work better for our communities.

Beyond my professional work, my advocacy extends to both Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu. I’ve testified at the Legislature on issues ranging from HIV policy to the protection of cultural and environmental sites — including my family’s ancestral lands in Pololū Valley. One of my proudest moments in local advocacy was contributing to the passage of Senate Bill 3125 (2024), which expanded access to HIV PrEP across Hawaiʻi — a critical step forward in public health equity. This year, I advocated at the federal level to our congressional delegation with an urgent plea to protect HIV funding.

I am of Hawaiian, Filipino, and Haole heritage. My Hawaiian genealogy traces to Pololū Valley in Kohala, my Filipino roots to Ilocos, and my Haole side is a family of proud military service. My Grandpa Jack retired as a Colonel in the Marines — a fighter pilot whose commitment to service shaped my family. My grandma Jan modeled the values we were raised with; we were raised with love, discipline, and gratitude.

These identities and experiences have shaped how I see the world: with balance, gratitude, and a steadfast belief in our collective responsibility to care for this place and for each other.

I’m running for office because I believe in Kalihi, its people, its resilience, and its potential. Together, we can sustain what makes our community special and stimulate new growth that benefits everyone.

Join me — Kealoha for Kalihi: sustaining what’s good, stimulating what’s next.