Peaceful Night

This past Saturday morning, I spoke to Waikele Elementary School students participating in the Young CEO program that teaches them to be entrepreneurs. In my speech to them, I asked, “How many of you have friends that have big goals and dreams?…How many of you have friends that work really hard?” I recommended that they keep these guys close. It is through these types of friends that you will exchange ideas and learn from each others mistakes. I stated, “I have a group of friends, we call ourselves the 'Pineapple Pack.' My friend Stacey left her good paying software engineering job to start up a number of small businesses. My other friend Owen left a lucrative law firm to start a magazine.” In my case, rather than practicing law, I ran for office a couple of years ago against three well-qualified candidates. I stuck to my platform and worked hard.

I also mentioned how I decided to go against the majority on a bill that would be hurtful on research, science, and biotechnology. I told the kids that I did it for them because maybe someday one of them could become a scientist or biotechnician. I had six members with me against thirty within the Democratic Caucus. I told the kids that if you watched the movie “Last Samurai” I felt as if we were charging into the canons.

It was nice on Saturday afternoon to hang out with the Pineapple Pack at Stacey's house. We filled up her portable pool and ate Owen's ono pupus from the Big Island. By the way, I am so proud of Owen's hard work on his magazine. That night I had a great time hanging out with my family at the Pearl Harbor Credit Union dinner.

Today, Stacey and I had a conversation on how a decision can change history and place one on a certain path. My decision to go against the majority on a bill was based on policy and principle even though I knew politically it would have been better to vote yes with reservations.

Last Tuesday, after my vote against the majority, in the late hours of that evening, Speaker Calvin Say saw I was under a lot of stress and told me, “the State probably did not know what happened tonight, but tonight when you go home, you will see how peaceful it is.” I went home and had one of my most peaceful nights. I drifted asleep.