ABOUT ME
Aloha, I'm Christy
I want our 'ohana to remain in Hawai'i
My professional career spans 30 years working for community-based organizations. My first job was at the Kalihi YMCA as a substance abuse counselor for teenagers. I worked with many populations- sexually abused teens, mothers struggling with substance abuse issues, people living with HIV/AIDS, teens and adults coping with mental illness, and homeless families. Working in the nonprofit sector taught me a lot of things- that systems need to be improved in order to effectively serve our community.
As a community organizer, I helped to organize the tenants of Kalihi Valley Homes in the 90s, led the organizing campaigns to tax Real Estate Investment Trusts and, most recently, to raise the minimum wage from $10.10 to $18 by 2028, the biggest jump in the minimum wage in Hawaiʻi’s history. I’ve always been a fighter for economic justice.
I am running for office because I am so sad to know that many of our ʻohana are moving away, uprooting their ʻohana to seek better financial opportunities and stability on the continent. Our lawmakers have not been listening- or, maybe they have, but they lack the will to pass legislation that will truly support our families.
What all of my experiences taught me is that one thing I am good at is connecting people with each other, across sectors and party lines. I can pull the community into the square building and work alongside them in introducing and passing impactful legislation.
I am extremely excited to work with each and every one of you in building a grassroots campaign, canvassing the residents in my district and doing some deep listening, finding out their concerns, struggles, and hopes for the future. I am a really good listener and am able to translate concerns into action. I will use this campaign to look at organizing opportunities and where we can connect the dots so that we can have a thriving community in District 14 as well as across our beautiful state, our home, we call Hawaiʻi.
MISSION STATEMENT
Fighting for Our Community
I’m running for State Senate to amplify the voices of working families in District 14 and across Hawai‘i — those who are too often overlooked by the status quo. As a lifelong community advocate, mother, and licensed social worker, I’ve spent 30 years fighting for equity, safety, and dignity for all.
My mission is to build a Hawai‘i where every ‘ohana can thrive — with affordable housing, strong public schools, quality healthcare, and a government that listens and leads with integrity. Together, we’ll create real change by organizing from the ground up, connecting across communities, and transforming compassion into lasting action.
