Jarrett Keohokalole is the Democratic candidate running in District 48, which covers Kaneohe, Heeia, Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Haiku Valley and Mokuoloe.

Keohokalole serves as a legal fellow with the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species and an assistant faculty specialist with the William S. Richardson School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Hawaii-Manoa and a Law Degree from the UH William S. Richardson School of Law, with a certificate in Native Hawaiian law.

Keohokalole, 30, says he brings a fresh, new perspective to the legislature. He believes his legal background and experience working around the legislature gives him a keen understanding of legislative processes. Beyond being an advocate for those in his district, he sees his role as that of a facilitator of open dialogue in the community. Providing access for people to share their voices will be one of his priorities.

He believes the actions taken by the legislature, administration, and EUTF trustees in recent years have allowed the state to regain control of its liabilities, but as more baby boomers retire, proactive steps should be taken now to prevent placing the state in the same precarious situation it found itself during the recessions of the 1990s and in 2008.

While the Legislature is not a party to collective bargaining, Keohokalole believes it is the legislature’s duty to provide fiscal oversight and ensure we take a balanced approach to shoring up the state’s financial liabilities. This requires an active role in consultation with stakeholders such as the public employee unions, the EUTF, health insurance companies, doctors, hospitals, and others in the medical community.