imageAmy AgbayaniHonorary Co-Chair

Amefil "Amy" Agbayani has been honored nationally and statewide as a strong voice for women, civil rights, immigrant rights, workers rights, Filipinos and equity and diversity in higher education. Born in the Philippines, Amy received her degree in political science from the University of the Philippines and her PhD from UH. Amy introduced Neil to his wife, Nancie, and has worked on every campaign for Neil.
imageWalter HeenHonorary Co-Chair

Judge Walter Heen has dedicated 50 years of public service to the State of Hawaii in a variety of roles including a distinguished judicial career and currently as vice chairman of the OHA Board of Trustees. As one of the founding members of the Democratic Party revolution beginning in 1950, Walter played an integral role in changing the unequal and unfair distribution of opportunities available to Hawaii’s minority communities.
imageRandy IwaseHonorary Co-Chair

Randy Iwase has dedicated his career to public service in Hawaii. After graduating from the University of Florida and the University of San Francisco School of Law, he returned home to serve as a deputy attorney general, as a city councilman, and as a state senator. Randy is well known for his optimism and for standing by his principles. He has an unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and has been a champion of public education.
imageKelly KingHonorary Co-Chair

Kelly King is the founder and vice president of Pacific Biodiesel in Kahului, she has been recognized on state and national levels for her achievements in developing inexpensive, clean-burning fuel from waste and biofuels. Noted for her advocacy, Kelly has become an icon for environmental, social and economic sustainability. Along with her husband, Bob King, Kelly is also one of the founders of The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance.
imageBill KanekoCampaign Manager

Bill took a leave of absence as the President and CEO of the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs (HIPA) to become Neil’s campaign manager. In 2000, Bill founded HIPA, Hawaii’s first independent and nonpartisan policy institute. He was Hawaii’s primary liaison with the U.S. Dept of Justice in providing redress for interned Japanese Americans and received the 2009 Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
imageAndrew AokiDeputy Campaign Manager

Andrew left his job as a director of Kanu Hawaii to work on Neil's campaign. He has dedicated his life to public service and has worked throughout Hawaii on a wide range of issues as an entrepreneur, executive, researcher, and facilitator. He has degrees from Stanford, the University of Michigan Law School, and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard specializing in economic development and social policy, and where he was recognized for exceptional academic ability and professional distinction.
imageLaurie AuCampaign Spokesperson

Before joining Neil’s campaign, which will be her first political campaign, Laurie covered local politics as a reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. She was also active in the Asian American Journalists Association locally and nationally with the mission to increase diversity in news organizations. Before coming home in 2007, Laurie lived and worked in cities across the U.S. and abroad in Hong Kong. Laurie studied journalism at the University of Maryland, where she developed a love for college sports.
imageBarbara TanabeCommunications Specialist

Barbara is an owner and partner of Ho‛ākea Communications. She has 25 years of experience in public affairs, crisis management, and broadcast journalism in the United States and Asia. She began her career in Seattle and Honolulu television as one of the first Asian-American women reporters and anchors and has received numerous awards, including an Emmy for a documentary in 1971 on the internment of Japanese-Americans.
imageJim McCoyPress Liaison

After graduating from the University of Hawaii, Jim began his journalism career with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin where he wrote a Pulitzer Prize nominated series on organized crime. In 1982, he moved to KHON-2 and for the next 20 years worked as a reporter, assignment editor and news director. Jim volunteers for Malama Maunalua and is Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 101.
imageAbe TomaWebsite Manager

Abe is a volunteer with Neil's campaign. He has over ten years of experience in website planning and management. He graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelors Degree in communications. Abe lives in Kaneohe with his wife and young daughter. He is an avid UH sports fan.
CAMPAIGN OPERATIONS
* Bill Kaneko, Campaign Manager
* Andrew Aoki, Deputy Campaign Mgr.
* Kay Hoffman, Headquarters
* Jack Endo, Treasurer

COMMUNICATIONS
* Laurie Au, Campaign Spokesperson
* Barbara Tanabe, Communications Spec.
* Jim McCoy, Press Liaison
* Abe Toma, Website Manager
* Olomana Marketing, Web Design
* Neenz Faleafine, Social Media Director

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING
* Josh Levinson, Field Organizer
* Amy Agbayani, Coordinator
* Charlie Toguchi, Coordinator
* Jimmy Toyama, Coordinator
* Edward Hasegawa, Coordinator

Hawaii Island
* John Buckstead
* Gilbert Kahele

Kauai
* Dennis 
Esaki

Lanai
* Leticia Castillo

Maui
* Karey Oura Kapoi

Molokai
* Beverly Pauole-Moore

Oahu
* Amy Monk, East Honolulu
* Justin Woodson, Kaimuki/Manoa/Waikiki
* Sesnita Moepono, Makiki/Downtown
* Anne Kauwe Oshiro, West Honolulu
* Aileen Wada, Aiea/Pearl City
* Pete Racelis III, Aiea/Pearl City
* Charlotte Nekota, Central
* Jarand Iwase, Central
* Loreto Viloria, Waipahu/Ewa
* Vern Ta'a, Leeward
* Norman Taira, Windward