The people of Hawaiʻi have an opportunity this Saturday, March 26, to elect a champion for our nation, our state, and for the Native Hawaiian community. The choice is clear: Hillary Clinton is the fighter Hawaii needs in the White House.

How appropriate it is that we are voting on the very celebration of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s birthday, Hawaiʻi’s first delegate to Congress. As a delegate, Prince Kūhiō had no vote, but he worked tirelessly to ensure the people of Hawai‘i’s interests were represented. That included supporting women’s suffrage in Hawaiʻi in 1919. He gave his life to efforts to engage and empower Native Hawaiians with political and land sovereignty.

The Presidential Preference Poll on Saturday is our one opportunity to vote for the candidate who will best represent Hawaiʻi. Often, Hawaiʻi is largely ignored during the presidential race, by virtue of being 4,779 miles from the nation’s capital, and so the people of Hawaiʻi are particularly sensitive to ensuring our concerns are heard and addressed on a national stage.

The Democratic nominee will face a Republican party that is disconnected from the real issues challenging our country and our state. We deserve a president who understands our unique needs and who values Hawaiʻi not just as a beautiful paradise, but also as an important place with real communities and real concerns.

Hillary has a lifelong record of working to break down barriers and build ladders of opportunity for all people. She understands Hawai‘i’s deep history, our challenges and our potential.

As first lady, Hillary visited Kauaʻi to highlight recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Iniki, and she worked to protect Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty and our sacred traditions by supporting the World Heritage site designation of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument.

As Secretary of State, Hillary supported the U.S. endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which recognized Native Hawaiians and other indigenous peoples around the world.

The Declaration is extremely important as a foundational statement about the unique rights and sovereignty recognized in all indigenous peoples.

Today, Hillary shows her characteristic dedication when considering challenges facing our Native Hawaiian community, and we believe she will roll up her sleeves and stand with us to do the hard work, hand in hand.

Native Hawaiian issues are Hawaiʻi issues, and they impact people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. We want to end homelessness, ensure access to healthcare and education for all members of society, and fight for equal pay and opportunities.

Protecting Progress Made Under Obama

Our next president will play an important role in re-envisioning how government can work to serve the hopes and dreams of our communities. We believe Hillary is the right candidate to protect the hard fought progress we have made under President Obama, and we know that as president, Hillary won’t stop fighting for the progress we all want to see for Hawaiʻi.

Earlier this month, Hillary released a groundbreaking statement in support of the Native Hawaiian community’s ongoing work toward self-determination and nationhood: “I commend President Obama’s leadership in working with Native Hawaiians on the opportunity to establish a government-to-government relationship with the United States,” she confirmed. Hillary’s unequivocal statement underscores what we have always known: We can count on Hillary to stand with our community no matter what.

This is an important statement for the Native Hawaiian community, especially as we wrestle with our future paths and consider the ratification of a constitution.  As we continue to have to defend our community programs at the national level, it is more critical than ever that we have a champion like Hillary in our corner.

We are proud to stand in firm support of Hillary Clinton for president of the United States of America, and humbly ask that you join us on Saturday, March 26, in casting your vote of confidence in Hillary Clinton during Hawaiʻi’s Presidential Preference Poll. For more information on caucus times and locations please visit: http://oahudemocrats.org/ppp/.