Kaialiʻi Kahele

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, ``Always Ready, Always There.'' That is the motto of our National Guard, our citizen soldiers, who, since 1636, have been prepared at all times as the first line of defense for our country. When a natural disaster strikes--hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions--who do we call? We call the National Guard. When a human-made disaster strikes--chemical spills, large-scale electrical power outages--who do we call? We call the National Guard. When States and local governments get overwhelmed because of situations beyond their control, who do those Governors, mayors, and State legislatures call? They call the National Guard. When a global health pandemic cripples the country, who do we call? We call the National Guard. And when an assault on our Nation's Capitol, a deadly insurrection, happens, who do we call to protect this hallowed beacon of democracy, to ensure a safe, peaceful transfer of power can occur? We called the National Guard. Every single time--``Always Ready, Always There''--the National Guard has answered the call. Our National Guard keeps us safe and has done so since the inception of our democracy. Following the deadly January 6 insurrection and leading up to the inauguration of our President and Vice President on January 20, Congress called upon the National Guard, and an unprecedented 26,700 guardsmen from across the country were deployed to secure our Nation's Capitol and protect the very lawmakers and staff that work in this Capitol. The Guard then continued to serve and support civil authorities in Washington, D.C., for the next 137 days. They left their families. Many took unexpected leave from their civilian jobs during a health pandemic to report to our Nation's Capitol. They stood watch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, many times in the frigid cold in the dark of night. Many of us got to know them personally. We brought them food, coffee. We met them on the ramp at Andrews Air Force Base. We took pictures on the Capitol steps. We shook their hands and thanked them and their families for their service. Our National Guard fulfilled their duty bravely and completed their mission. Now, it is Congress' turn to not only pay our respects but pay the bill that is due. What bill? What am I talking about? Well, it cost $521 million to protect our Nation's Capitol for those 137 days. National Guard leadership, adjutant generals, and State Governors sent their guardsmen to our Nation's Capitol with the promise that those funds would be repaid in a timely manner. As a result, the Army and Air National Guard paid for the Capitol Response mission and fronted the money from their own fiscal year 2021 funding. Time is of the essence, and we must pay them the money that we owe immediately and before August 1. The reality is, if we fail to issue reimbursements by August 1, there will be real consequences. The National Guard Bureau has already sent out notices to States regarding canceling the remaining annual training days and/or canceling August and September drills. If training is canceled, several thousand guardsmen will not have enough service time this fiscal year to receive credit for a good year toward military retirement. Approximately 2,000 functional and occupational training schools will be canceled, affecting their readiness, pay, and career progression. Ground vehicle and rotary wing operations and maintenance will be halted. Air National Guard flying operations will be negatively impacted, as they just only now begin the recovery from the effects of the pandemic. The 54th Security Forces Assistance Brigade combat training center rotation next month, in August, will be canceled. Without reimbursement by August 1, it will take years to recover our readiness, which will be immediately impacted and decrease by up to 20 percent. Those are some of the operational and readiness impacts of not meeting that August 1 deadline. But the real damages, Madam Speaker, are the profound personal impacts, which will have an immediate effect on the morale of those soldiers and airmen, their families, and retention across the 54 States and territories. The increased psychological stress on our National Guard servicemembers and families in an already highly stressed environment is absolutely unacceptable. They are being asked to suffer, to sacrifice, because this body, Congress, is unable to meet its end of a good-faith agreement with State leaders fully expecting to be reimbursed and not having to ``take it out of hide,'' which is what the National Guard is being asked to do now. To put it simply, guardsmen--and I hear from them every single day-- are in absolute disbelief that after all they have done this last year, answering our Nation's call, this is how they are being treated. Madam Speaker, today is July 21. We have 11 days. We must take immediate action. I urge all of us in Congress to swiftly come to an agreement on an appropriations emergency bill that includes full reimbursement of $521 million for our National Guard by August 1. That is the least we can do for our citizen soldiers and their families who are always ready and always there.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I stand before you to share the passing of a legendary news and sports broadcaster, an accomplished musician, a father, friend, and son of Hawaii, Robert Kaleimomi Kekaula, who unexpectedly passed away last Saturday in Hawaii at 56 years of age. In order to tell you about Robert, I must do so with great respect to his chosen career path and success as the consummate communicator. Where, when, and how quickly he acquired his excellent skills, whether at his high school alma mater, the Kamehameha Schools, the University of Hawaii, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications, or throughout his experience as a Native Hawaiian growing up on Hawaii Island, I can't say. Yet what I can say with certainty is that Robert held the powerful ability of talking to people; not about people, but to people. And he did it exceedingly well, with thousands, including myself, for 35 years in the broadcast industry. It is quite possible that his talents were not learned skills at all, but, rather, God-given gifts that he so willingly shared with all of us. I would be hard-pressed to find a living room or dining table in Hawaii that did not at some point during that time welcome in Robert Kekaula and his daily evening news and sports reports. The reason, Robert connected with people. For him, people came first, before the stories, before the news. He understood that the primary role of the news, of the media was to improve people's lives. It was not to be sensational. It was not to stoke conflict. It was to inform. That sincerity, that genuine care, from a man with that unmistakable baritone voice and dominant presence, made people comfortable to watch him; moreover, comfortable to share the details of their lives with him, and the audience who leaned in to listen and learn. Described as a perfectionist, he held himself and others to three requirements in the newsroom. What went out of his newsroom and into the living rooms had to be correct, pertinent, and helpful to Hawaii. He had a photographic memory for detail. He was a wordsmith. He had the ear of key figures in Hawaii sports. He was proud of the local kids who made it. He was all about Hawaii. His reach into our homes did not stop with him, however, because Robert made it a point to share his knowledge. As a mentor, he could see in young journalists what others could not see. He opened his door to those who otherwise had doors closed in their faces. And just as folks welcomed him into their homes, Robert would welcome aspiring broadcasters into his home of sports and news. Many young men and women he mentored went on to become sports anchors, as well as news reporters, and every single one of them was better for having Robert in their lives. His bright Aloha shirts became his mainstay. He became synonymous with them. He was rarely seen without one. And on the national circuit, the Daily Show with Trevor Noah shared a shot of Robert in his Aloha shirt, and Noah commented: ``Even their newscasts are so chill.'' The brightness of Robert's shirts only mirrored the brightness of his smile and the endless radiance of his Aloha spirit. Within this skilled communicator and mentor lived a Native Hawaiian who inspired others, including myself. To see Robert on the news and the small screen gave way to other Native Hawaiians to believe they could have a career on TV, too. In public, he was just as approachable, and friends tell me he often covered the tab for those he didn't know. His legacy lives on through the people fortunate enough to learn from him and work with him and in the music he composed, produced, and performed alongside his daughter, Tiera, and through his family and friends whom he loved dearly. ``'A'ohe mea nana e ho'opuhili, he moho no ka la makani,'' ``there is no one to interfere, for he is a messenger of a windy day,'' said in admiration of a person who lets nothing stop him from carrying out the task entrusted to him. To me and to so many others, that is the essence of Robert, who carried out the task as the consummate communicator with extreme love for Hawaii and its people. Mahalo, Robert Kaleimomi Kekaula, for your immeasurable contributions to Hawaii. We are forever grateful, and you will be forever missed.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Case, for yielding to me so that I may speak on the merits of all Japanese Americans who served during World War II, a recognition the United States Postal Service captured with the recent issuance of its 2021 Go for Broke Japanese American soldiers of World War II commemorative stamp. Go for Broke, the motto of the brave 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which means give it your all, speaks to the spirit of courage, of patriotism and sacrifice, as well as their fight for equality for all people. The 442nd, almost entirely composed of second-generation Japanese Americans, or Nisei, was the most-decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the United States. Eighty years ago, these brave Americans were filled with dreams, aspirations, and hope, only to be faced with harsh discrimination and assaults on their character and loyalty to America. The Go for Broke Japanese American soldiers of World War II stamps are forever stamps and symbolize these men and women's undying devotion to their country.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, mahalo also to my brother and my freshman colleague from New York for allowing me this opportunity to speak about something really important in our country, and that is the American Families Plan. Today, I rise in support of our Nation's students, the future of America, an engaged generation of young Americans working to create a better future for our country. We must stand with them. The time is now to do that, as they embark on their journey to unlock their potential and achieve their dreams. But that journey starts with a quality education and the opportunity for higher education, the great equalizer in our society. Now, our children wield tremendous potential and remind us to dream big. However, too many of our students do not have that opportunity because of the high costs of public higher education. Skyrocketing tuition, application fees, student fees, overpriced textbooks, meal plans, dorm plans all contribute to $1.4 trillion in crushing student debt and are barriers preventing all of America's children from pursuing higher education. The American Families Plan will change that. The American Families Plan will enable the opportunity for every student across the country to obtain a degree or certificate through a community college for free. The American Families Plan is built to invest in our children from early childhood through postsecondary education. Most importantly, this plan recognizes the importance of investing in access to community college. Each year thousands of students in my home State of Hawaii benefit from community colleges across our islands, but unfortunately just 50 percent of those students are able to complete a postsecondary degree of any kind within 6 years of enrolling. As a product of community college myself, and an educator, I know how these public institutions can positively impact our most disadvantaged communities, which is why for so long I have fought to remove barriers to higher education. The American Families Plan will redefine access to education, taking the long overdue step of ensuring 2 years of free community college for all students. This opportunity will invest in the future of our students, prepare them to compete and succeed in a highly competitive global economy, and level the playing field. Every child in our country deserves the opportunity to live the American Dream, but in order to achieve that, we must believe, all of us must believe that we all have a stake in each other's prosperity. President Biden's vision in the American Families Plan is a defining moment in our Nation's history and will give American children head starts and pave the way for the best-educated generation in U.S. history. America's students have an amazing opportunity to pursue education beyond high school. Let us give them that opportunity. Mahalo, Madam Speaker, and my colleague from New York.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 2878, the bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program, which includes a bill that I co-led with my esteemed colleague from Iowa's Second Congressional District, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, the VET TEC Enhancement Act. In our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much to protect our Nation and keep our country whole. We owe them our thanks, we owe them our respect, but most importantly, we owe them our support as they transition back into civilian life once their service is over. The Veteran Employment Through Technical Education Courses, or VET TEC, is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to use GI Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs and prepare them for future employment in the technology industry. Our bill would expand funding of this program from $45 million to $125 million a year, allowing more of our men and women in uniform to enroll each year. The VET TEC program is highly popular and has a 90 percent completion rate, giving our veterans the tools they need to gain meaningful employment in well-paying jobs. No servicemember who has taken the oath to protect and defend our country should be left behind in today's 21st century workforce. I am proud to co-lead this important legislation, and I look forward to its passage and benefit to America's servicemembers. Mahalo.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, today it is with overwhelming pride that I rise to congratulate the 2021 NCAA Men's Volleyball National Champions of the University of Hawaii. In Columbus, Ohio this past Saturday, the Rainbow Warriors dominated Brigham Young University in a three-set sweep showcasing to the Nation the qualities of a team hungry for a national championship only made possible through years of hard work, perseverance, grit, mental fortitude, and sportsmanship. As a former Rainbow Warriors men's volleyball player and proud alumnus, I know how much this victory means to the program and all of Hawaii. So congratulations to the head coach, Charlie Wade, the coaching staff, UH athletics programs, the players, and, Mr. Speaker, most importantly, the best collegiate volleyball fans, supporters, boosters, and Aunty's on the planet. Hawaii is so proud of them. No Ka `Oi, and go Bows.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker: (English translation of the statement made in Hawaiian by Mr. Kahele is as follows:) The dark, clouded heavens weep. The spirit has embarked on the path with no return. Ua kani mai ka papa wa`a Ua ue ka lani po panopano Ua lele ka `uhane i ke ala ho`i`ole mai Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to share with you and the Nation the sad news of the passing of a great navigator, leader, educator, and friend, Chad Kalepa Baybayan. On March 8, 1975, the deep-sea voyaging canoe Hokule`a was launched. Born of legends and stories brought to life through the paintings of the acclaimed Hawaiian artist Herb Kane, it was the first Hawaiian voyaging canoe to sail Hawaii's waters in over 600 years and became a catalyst for Hawaiian pride and identity during the Hawaiian renaissance. At the age of 19, Kalepa's first connection to Hokule`a was on the shores of his home island of Maui in 1975 during Hokule`a's sail trials and crew training. This first connection inspired him and forever changed his life. He has diligently served the voyaging movement ever since, learning, growing, then mastering and teaching the next generation of navigators. Kalepa also believed deeply in the importance of education as a vessel to expand the reach of voyaging, and the legacy of education his kupuna and lahui, his ancestors and nation, left for him to continue. Kalepa obtained a bachelor's in Hawaiian studies and a master's in education, all while being intimately involved with voyaging and wayfinding. He was fluent in `olelo Hawaii and had a firm belief that indigenous knowledge guiding modern technologies will hold the answers to many of the challenges facing our world today. In his professional career, Kalepa served as the site director of Honukai, the exploration sciences division of the `Aha Punana Leo, where his dedication to his language, culture, and love of voyaging inspired him to build the first Hawaiian language voyaging canoe, Hokualaka`i, that touched hundreds of students and introduced them to voyaging through the perspective of his native tongue. Kalepa then went on to serve as the first-ever navigator in residence at the `Imiloa Astronomy Center at UH Hilo, which he helped to establish. His work at `Imiloa also allowed him to engage in the international indigenous education movement while also engaging in the various sciences, bringing the knowledge of his people to the world. Kalepa was one of just five Native Hawaiian navigators inducted into the rank of Pwo by the late Satawalese Master Navigator Pius ``Mau'' Piailug in 2007. When asked about the kuleana, or responsibilities of being a Pwo master navigator, Kalepa would always simply state that being Pwo is being a light for your community and for your people. Most recently, Kalepa was key to the success of the World Wide Voyage, which took the voyaging canoe Hokule`a around the world on 31 legs to over 150 ports in 18 nations and to these very shores of Washington, D.C., in May 2016, bringing attention to the health of the oceans, its people, and the need for a more sustainable world. Kalepa crewed 18 of the 31 legs of this 3-year voyage and, over his career, logged more miles voyaging than any other crewmember in the nearly five-decade history of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule`a. Kalepa was first and foremost a dedicated and loving husband, son, sibling, father, and grandfather who sought tirelessly to do his part in creating a better world for his `ohana, his family, and for all children of the world. His unwavering commitment to being a light to his community and his desire to make this world a better place has always shone forth. I say to my colleagues that Kalepa is a prime example of the type of leader we should all aspire to be, one who inspires others to action while at the same time creating opportunities, oftentimes when they least expect it, for them to fulfill their responsibilities to their communities. Madam Speaker, on April 8, 2021, Kalepa took his final voyage from this earthly realm, e ola mau loa ka inoa `o Chad Kalepa Baybayan. His legacy will live on. May we learn from this legacy of service as we lead this Nation and navigate the waters ahead. Mahalo.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of all women across the Nation, to ensure they will be paid fairly based on their work performance, not their gender. Mr. Speaker, I am blessed with three young daughters. My oldest daughter, `Ale'aokalani, who, as we speak, is studying at Juan Diego High School in Draper, Utah, is preparing to embark on her own journey as a grown woman. She is smart, talented, and, most of all, a hard worker. But right now, in our country, she and my two younger daughters are faced with insurmountable odds that no amount of hard work or diligence can overcome. As Native Hawaiian women, they are estimated to only make 63 cents to every dollar that their White male peers would make working the exact same job. The Paycheck Fairness Act guarantees they will no longer have to fight for the same rights and paychecks as men. Mr. Speaker, equal pay for equal work, it is as simple as that.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, on April 15, 2021, I was unable to vote on the first three votes in the series because I had unavoidable conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 104; H.R. 1215, the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 105; H.R. 1460, the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2021; YEA on Roll Call No. 106; En Bloc No. 1. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Allred (Wexton) Babin (Fallon) Crdenas (Gonzalez, Vicente) Crenshaw (Fallon) Greene (GA) (Gosar) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Keating (Clark (MA)) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) Meng (Clark (MA)) Mfume (Raskin) Moore (WI) (Beyer) Moulton (Underwood) Napolitano (Correa) Neal (Lynch) Nehls (Fallon) Norcross (Pallone) Omar (Pressley) Payne (Pallone) Porter (Wexton) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Slotkin (Stevens) Stefanik (Tenney) Steube (Timmons) Trahan (Lynch) Wasserman Schultz (Soto) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Wilson (SC) (Timmons) amendment no. 4 offered by mrs. miller-meeks

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. The PRO Act empowers workers to exercise their right to organize and holds employers accountable for violating workers' rights. In my home State of Hawaii, unions successfully raised the standard of living for thousands of our residents. I am proud to say that Hawaii has the highest union membership rate in the Nation, at 23.7 percent. We must pass the PRO Act to make sure all workers have a free and fair choice to join a union. Mr. Speaker, organized labor has opened the doors of opportunity for millions of Americans, to help them buy homes, secure healthcare, educate their children, and enjoy leisure time with family and friends. Mr. Speaker, as an 11-year card-carrying member of the Air Line Pilots Association, I know firsthand how unions can level the playing field. Unions give us a stronger voice to advocate for higher wages, better benefits, and improved workplace conditions. Unions put the power in the hands of the workers. Mr. Speaker, this bill will lift up American workers and strengthen America's middle class. I urge my colleagues to support the PRO Act.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor Mahina `Olelo Hawaii, or Hawaiian Language Month. Colleagues, I have the wonderful privilege of being native Hawaiian. My culture has served as a guiding light throughout my entire life, a light that has survived because of the many kupuna, our elders, who protected this light and who protected our Native indigenous language. For Native Hawaiians and so many other indigenous peoples, our language is essential for our people to live and thrive. In fact, we have an `Olelo No'eau, a proverb, that says: ``I ka `olelo no ke ola; I ka `olelo no ka make.'' ``In the language rests life; in the language rests death.'' Established in 1840, Hawaii's public education system is the oldest west of the Mississippi. In fact, in the 19th century, Hawaii was one of the most literate nations in the world, with over 90 percent of the population able to read and write. January 17, 1893, is a date that is etched in the consciousness of almost every Hawaiian, the day the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown. At the time of the overthrow, our language was used in all sectors of society by all of the kingdom's citizens, from our homes and schools to businesses and government, and even the halls of justice. In 1896, just 3 years after the overthrow, a law was enacted that stated: ``The English language shall be the medium and basis of instruction in all public and private schools.'' That one sentence dealt a smothering blow to our language. If you want to extinguish a people, you extinguish their language by taking it from the ears and mouths of future generations. You take it away from their children. Piece by piece, action by action, the racist provisional and republic government and others with influence attempted to stem the flow of oxygen to our `olelo Hawaii. But they could not extinguish our fire. While Hawaiian was relegated to use in isolated spaces, even perhaps to whispers in private, we spoke, and we spoke in Hawaiian. We kept the embers burning for nearly a century. How do you revive a language? The same way they tried to extinguish it. We share it with our children. Fire-keepers started private preschool language nests, or Punana Leo, and in 1978, Hawaiian became an official language of the State. But it would take 100 years to change that 1896 law banning Hawaiian in schools when, in 1986, K-12 Hawaiian language immersion was reestablished in Hawaii's Department of Education. These early language pioneers continued to rebuild the fire, step by step, action by action. By the 1980s, we graduated our first bachelor's degrees in Hawaiian language. From less than 50 Native speakers under the age of 18 to more than 25,000 now self-identifying as Hawaiian language speakers today, our fire still burns, and it is growing. It is no longer novel to hear Hawaiian spoken in our local coffee shops and our grocery stores, and my family proudly joins along fellow fire-keepers to stoke the `olelo Hawaii flame, as my daughters attend Hawaiian language schools Punana Leo `O Hilo and Ke Kula `o Nawahiokalani'opu'u. While I am filled with pride, Mr. Speaker, it comes with a mix of other emotions: disappointment at underfunding; frustration at the lack of equity in government use of Hawaiian as an official language; and trepidation, knowing how close we came to having our language snuffed out. While I am encouraged by our progress, I know there is more work ahead. We must continue to raise up the languages of all of America's first peoples. UNESCO states that a third of the world languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers left. Language is essential to cultural diversity, and diversity is essential to our shared humanity. While Mahina `Olelo Hawaii, or our month of celebrating Hawaiian language, is coming to a close, we will continue to stoke the flames of `olelo Hawaii month by month, year by year, generation to generation because, Mr. Speaker, ``I ka `olelo no ke ola; I ka `olelo no ka make.'' ``In the language rests life; in the language rests death,'' and our resolve is greater than ever to ensure that our languages will live on. ``E Ola Mau Ka `Olelo Hawaii a me na `Olelo `Oiwi A Pau Loa.'' ``The Hawaiian language, and all indigenous languages, shall live.'' Mahalo.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Mr. Speaker, my ohana is from the last native Hawaiian fishing village in Hawaii, Milolii. You have likely never heard of Milolii, and if you haven't heard of the small fishing village of Milolii, then you probably haven't heard of Kalapana. Kalapana, like Milolii, is an ocean community, but Kalapana sits in the shadow of the volcano Kilauea. For decades, this area has been shaped by the various destructive lava flows that have flowed through; but no matter how many times this happened, the people of Kalapana remained resilient and proud of their community. Mr. Speaker, I can think of no one who embodied the pride and resilience of being Kalapana born and raised than William Punapaia'alaikahala Kenoi, known to most as Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi. Billy Kenoi would proudly talk about the papaya fields of Kalapana and the mentors who helped him see the world outside of them. Their inspiration took him from the slopes of Kilauea to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. From there, the boy from Kalapana walked with reverence through these very Halls, which he regarded as a heiau, or spiritual center of democracy, as a congressional intern with the legendary Senator Daniel K. Inouye. He then went on to attend the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. As he moved through his career, he remained that same resilient and proud kid from Kalapana. He worked for justice as a public defender with indigent clients. He moved home to Hawaii Island as a public servant, dedicated to helping his island weather the crystal meth crisis that was ravaging our communities. His leadership in crisis, born of the lava flows and fields of Kalapana, eventually translated to leadership at the island level, when he was elected as Hawaii County mayor in 2008. Nobody could deny Billy's charm, keen political drive, and charismatic leadership. And for all his high-level leadership and larger-than-life personality, he left his mark in the individual interactions he had with people, always kind and authentic. Some of us had the fortune of getting to know him as a friend. For me, he was also a mentor. I will always remember Martin Luther King Day 2016, because it was the day my father had a heart attack and passed away a week later. In the chaotic hours after he passed, there were too many calls and texts of support to count and certainly too many to answer. Despite all of this, one person's grief persisted and pierced through the profound grief: Billy Kenoi. Billy called, asked where I was, and told me to come to the State Capitol. He said, ``It was time.'' I didn't know what he meant by that. My father had just passed, but when Billy spoke, I listened. When a man who was once a boy from Kalapana calls you in the middle of a family crisis, you know that he summons with it the resilience and strength of an island community that persisted through lava flow after lava flow. I went to the State Capitol, to the desk of my father in the State Senate, surrounded by his colleagues, and my life was forever changed. Five years to the day after he passed, Billy Kenoi went into po himself, and he crossed into the afterlife. He left behind a beautiful wife, Takako, and three children, Justin, Liam, and Mahina. He was only 52. And like my father, he was too important a leader to lose too soon. Billy was the personification of Kalapana. No matter what change life threw at him, he embraced it with pride, resilience, and a sense of humor. As Hawaii is now altered by the passing of this leader, we will conjure his spirit and the spirit of Kalapana. We will remember the boy from Kalapana who became the incomparable leader Billy Kenoi. Colleagues, I leave you with words from his final speech--and he was famous for speeches--to remember him and take us to a more resilient and prouder future: If impossible is nothing, then everything is possible.

Mr. KAHELE

Mr. KAHELE. Madam Speaker, as a member of our Armed Forces, now a Member of Congress, I have taken and given the oath of office many times. I will support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. On January 6, the President violated his oath, inciting violent and deadly insurrection. Our sacred oaths are hollow without accountability. We must hold this President accountable, remove him from office, and ensure he can never hold public office again. I urge my colleagues to do the same. This oath has to matter. Mahalo.