The day has come, as I have been planning and working towards this day for many years. This passed week, I completed the last step to becoming a licensed attorney in Hawaiʻi. Together, in front of my ʻohana, friends, former co-workers and employers, I was sworn-in as one of the newest members of the bar.
There are so many thoughts that come to mind as I tell this story. There’s so much I want to say: where I’ve come from, how much I am really no different than anyone else who thinks that a goal may be unattainable, how difficult it really was to get to this point, advice to those who are still working towards passing the bar, those who are interested in a getting their law degree, how much kuleana I feel as an investment of Pauahi and the lāhui, and sharing what I plan to do next.
At the same time, I just want to soak this all in. With the support of my ʻohana and friends, I did it!!!
For now, I thought I would share my remarks that I shared after being sworn-in. Here it is:
Mahalo to my ʻohana, and friends, many of whom are here but also those who couldn’t make it today. Each one of you played a role in getting me here. You recognized something special in me, nurtured and cultivated that to get me here.
I would especially like to thank my mother, Elwen, and my keiki—Kawena, my law school baby, Kawaiola, my bar baby, and Kaʻāinaaloha, the next chapter. A special mahalo to Meghan Leialoha Au, Hanalē Bishop, and their daughter River for all that they do for our ʻohana and the lāhui. They are such an inspiration to me and have provided us with so much nourishment, in every sense of the word. And last, but not least, my dear hula sister and friend, Wendy who’s constant support got me through some of my darkest study days.
We are all here for my swearing-in ceremony, but as we celebrate my success, it is really more of a celebration of our collective efforts that got me here. The best way that I thought I could pay it forward to mahalo you all for all that you have done for me and my ʻohana, is to implement what I’ve learned by serving my community, the lāhui. The most recent iteration of how I plan to pay it forward is manifesting into a business idea of a consulting business. My consulting business will combine my educational (in both public health and law) and work experience.
Keeping this short, wanted to share my vision statement that is still a work-in-progress.
VISION
Our ancestors that discovered Hawaiʻi, the most isolated landmass within the vast Pacific Ocean, sustained a population of over 1 million. Before Hawaiʻi imported upwards of 90% of its goods, Hawaiians were healthy and strong people that were in balance with the natural resources that make Hawaiʻi unique.
I believe the community holds the answers for many of our problems. Supporting Native Hawaiian farmers and cultural practitioners will address many of the ailments that not only Hawaiians experience, but also Hawaiʻi’s general population as a whole. ʻIke kūpuna, ancestral knowledge, is key to returning to a healthy and thriving people. Supporting Native Hawaiian farmers to be able to access land and water needed to sustain their produce will ensure healthy foods for our families. Supporting cultural practitioners by institutionalizing and meeting the high consumer demand for these healing practices will address health disparities in a culturally effective way to achieve improved health outcomes.
The role of a lawyer may not always be obvious when it comes to supporting Native Hawaiian farmers and cultural practitioners, however, I am not your typical lawyer. I see my roles as improving health through ʻāina justice and advocacy. Whether the support a farmer may need is with writing a will to ensure his legacy for his family, access to land and water to ensure his livelihood, or even advocating for policies that are community-informed, that is where I come in.