Aloha, I’m Donna Hoshide, Campaign Co-Chair.

The Brian Schatz campaign for Lieutenant Governor is on the move.

To be honest, I am a little surprised that I am so involved in the campaign since technically I “retired” from political activities back in 2003. And then the candidacy of one of Hawaii’s own, Barack Obama, drew me back into the political arena in 2008.

Throughout the course of President Obama’s campaign in Hawaii and at the Democratic National Convention, I am so very happy that I also got to know a young and yet extremely talented man named Brian Schatz. Brian has so many special attributes to offer our State. He is smart, caring, articulate, visionary AND realistic. But most of all, he is very passionate about wanting to lead our State to better times with his energy, experience, doable ideas, and collaborative leadership style.

Brian attended high school with my older son Kyle. At that time, while Kyle and his friends were primarily focused on their sports activities and social events (as most young people are), Brian was already a global thinker by taking the initiative to organize young people in community service programs.

Today, Kyle and many of his friends are busy building their professional careers and raising their kids. They are wholeheartedly focused on providing for their families as best they can. In these trying times, it is difficult for people of their generation to focus on little else. I am proud of Kyle and his commitment to his family and their future.

But I am also glad that I can support someone like Brian Schatz, who is committed to tackling problems that affect all of us, such as our economy, the education of our keiki and the quality of life of Hawaii’s families. He is a thirty-seven year old man who works very hard to support his family while also being committed passionately to public service. He is the kind of guy that I would trust with making the decisions that will impact our lives, and our children’s and grandchildren’s lives, here in Hawaii.

As someone who has seen and been a part of strong leadership in the past, I can now recognize that it is time for a new generation of leadership.That is why I am asking you to join me in electing Brian Schatz as our next Lieutenant Governor.

Your contribution will help us build grassroots in communities that have so much at stake in our collective future. It will help us get Brian’s message onto television, so that voters at large will understand why he is a leader for all of us. On the other hand, not a penny will go to staff, because there is no paid staff. We are all here, working each day, as unpaid volunteers. We are giving our time and our energy because we know that it is time for new leadership and that Brian will make great things happen.

Please help. Every dollar counts.

Mahalo,

Donna Hoshide

Campaign Co-Chair