Kai Kahele | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd district | |
In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Tulsi Gabbard |
Succeeded by | Jill Tokuda |
Member of the Hawaii Senate from the 1st district | |
In office February 17, 2016 – December 16, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Gil Kahele |
Succeeded by | Laura Acasio |
Personal details | |
Born | Miloli'i, Hawaiʻi, U.S.[1] | March 28, 1974
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Maria Fe Day |
Children | 3 |
Father | Gil Kahele |
Education | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BA) |
Website | kaikahele |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 2001–present |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Unit | Hawaii Air National Guard |
Battles/wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan War on Terror |
Awards | Air Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal Combat Readiness Medal Commendation Medal Meritorious Service Medal National Defense Service Medal |
Kaialiʻi Kahele (born March 28, 1974)[2] is an American politician, educator, and commercial pilot. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Hawaii from 2021 to 2023.
He was a member of the Hawaii Senate from the 1st district. Kahele is a member of the Democratic Party.[3][4]
In 2022, he unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Hawaii, losing to Lieutenant Governor Josh Green.
Kahele, who served as a state senator in Hawaii, is of Native Hawaiian ancestry and his family comes from the small fishing village of Miloli'i in South Kona.