The party has struggled for the past decade to gain a meaningful foothold in the islands. The rise of Donald Trump and the radical right has only made the situation more dire.

UPDATED The Democratic congresswoman from New York said that Hawaii’s representative owes their colleague, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, an apology.

Now, Martin Kao faces federal charges of bank fraud and money laundering for allegedly bilking the coronavirus relief program of $12.8 million.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro and his former deputy, Katherine Kealoha, are central to the allegations.

This isn’t the first time the Hawaii congresswoman has urged the federal government to dismiss its case against the whistleblower.

The U.S. Justice Department argued that Martin Kao was a flight risk because he has millions of dollars in assets.

Martin Kao is a prolific political donor whose company, Navatek LLC, has received millions of dollars in federal contracts.

The former U.S. president endorsed more than 100 Democrats in races up and down the ballot across the country.

The Hawaii senator says it’s likely another Trump nominee will make it onto the Supreme Court, making the Nov. 3 election all the more important.