Latino state legislators from across the country are convening in Honolulu this week to focus on “key priorities for Latino families and the increased political clout of Latino elected officials after the 2016 elections.”

According to a press release for the 14th National Summit of Hispanic State Legislators, the meeting brings together senior elected officials, state legislators, corporate executives, community advocates and policymakers.

Hello, Waikiki.
Hello, Waikiki. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

The two-day event, organized by the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislatorsopened Tuesday at the Sheraton Waikiki.

Among the agenda items is a discussion with experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Hawaii health officials on mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika and dengue.

Former Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Chairman Carlito Caliboso, Alan Oshima, president and CEO of HECO; and Mark Duda, president of Hawaii PV Coalition.

Participants will also attend the official ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. And a welcome reception is planned at Washington Place with Gov. David Ige.

Of note: Hawaii has four state legislators with Latino ancestry: Donovan Dela Cruz (who is speaking at the conference), Donna Mercado Kim, Michelle Kidani and Lorraine Inouye.

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