Running for County Council

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Campaign News Release

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez officially announced her intention to run again for the Maui County Council – Molokai race on Jan. 11. After a tight race for the same seat in 2016, missing it by just eight percent, her supporters strongly encouraged her to run again.

Keani has a strong educational and professional background, having graduated from both the William S. Richardson School of Law with certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law; and the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Her experience at the Hawaii State Legislature, including an internship as Legislative Aid for Representative Jarrett Keohokalole, has equipped her to collaborate with State officials regarding County specific issues.

She currently works for mayoral candidate and Councilmember Elle Cochran, which has given Keani both a deeper understanding of Council operations, as well as insights and ideas on how it can be improved to better serve the people.

“At the urging of the community, it is an honor to run for County Council to give back to the community in this capacity,” said Keani. “It’s a continuum; the generations before me have made great strides, and it is my generation’s kuleana to continue to work toward a better future for our children with the knowledge and experience past generations have empowered us with.”

Keani intends to support initiatives that prioritize cultural and environmental protection, education, food security and independence, truly affordable housing, and smart development that is geographically and culturally compatible. These policy efforts are important, as families struggling to make ends meet at a time when Hawaii is ranked at the top for the highest cost of living.

She is proud of the community she grew up in and its reputation of being fierce protectors of their home. The shared vision of a better future for Molokai, and Maui County as a whole, is possible with the bold leadership Keani brings.

For more information, please visit her website at votekeani.com or her Facebook page at facebook.com/votekeani.