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Maui Fundraiser Success for Molokai Candidate

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Campaign News Release

On Sept. 19, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez held a fundraiser at the Kahului Community Center for her bid for the Maui County Council seat to represent Molokai. Over 100 people attended the community event, including many former Molokai residents, who have relocated for better job opportunities or for school.

The event was opened with Keani, standing with her family, performing an oli kahea (chant requesting permission to enter) and receiving an oli pane (chant to welcome) from Napua Greg-Nakasone, Maui County Council candidate, with candidates Alika Atay, Shane Sinenci, and Kelly King standing with Napua. Attendees called the event an “authentic expression of community cohesiveness” and an example of “what servant leadership is all about.”

Invoking her teal logo, Keani compared the sea of teal shirts standing in front of her to water, the most powerful element on earth. She said, “last week, we witnessed water’s prowess when millions of gallons fell from the sky, rushed down the sides of the cliff, coming together and moving boulders the size of buses. Like water, when we join forces, we too will move boulders, we will move mountains!”

Keani’s campaign emphasizes the need to bring fresh, new ideas to solve ongoing issues plaguing the County. The government needs a new generation of thinkers and doers with the community’s voice and support at the forefront. This campaign is about the community’s vision for a better future, one that respects and takes care of our culture, natural resources, and our people.

This fundraiser would not have been the success it was without the kokua of Tereari`i “Rae” `Iao-Chandler, Jill Nunokawa, Lei`ohu Ryder, Maydeen `Iao, Regina and Wes, Sarah Maes, the Wallace `Ohana, the Higa `Ohana, the Lani `Ohana, Zhantelle and Hanale Lindo, Mikey Mina, Dolly Mawae, Toshi Fujita, and the musicians of Kua Ola. A big mahalo to them and all our campaign supporters, as we work together toward a better future for everyone!

For more information or to donate Keani’s campaign, please visit her website at votekeani.com or her Facebook page at facebook.com/votekeani.

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