This 10 minute video lays out the primary themes of Duke Aiona's campaign for Governor. See it here... 

 For more information www.DukeAiona.com

THIS IS DUKE AIONA: HAWAI`I’S CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR
Video Biography Transcript

Note: The following transcript is from the video biography that Lt. Governor Duke Aiona released on Dec. 17 at 3:00 p.m. in real-time on the Web. The video can be viewed at www.DukeAiona.com/thisisdukeaiona.

Hawai`i, a jewel in the middle of the Pacific; a combination of natural beauty, spirit and culture.

Today our island home and people face challenges like never before. 

What will our future hold? Who will lead us during this crucial time? Who will we entrust with the future of these islands and people?

We call them our keiki, our mo`opuna, the perpetual stream, our children and grandchildren.

They are our heritage – the legacy that we leave.

For Duke Aiona, heritage, integrity and community are at the core of who he is.

He was born in Honolulu to James and Frances Aiona. His upbringing was that of a typical local boy in love with his family, friends and the beauty that surrounded him.

Graduating from Saint Louis School in 1973, he excelled in everything he did from academics to athletics.

College would take him to the University of the Pacific in California, where he played basketball and gained valuable perspective of Hawai`i’s special place in the world.

Choosing a career in law, he graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai`i and immediately began serving the public as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu.  

Duke’s strong work ethic and natural leadership style as an attorney led to his appointment as a Family Court Judge. He was later elevated to the Circuit Court bench, where, in 1996, he made history as the first administrative judge and primary architect of the highly successful and innovative Hawai`i Drug Court Program.

It was this experience on the bench that gave him first-hand knowledge of the problems facing Hawai`i’s families and reaffirmed his belief that strong families are the foundation of a strong community.

DUKE AIONA: “My personal and professional experiences have brought to light something that is very profound to me, and I can sum it up in one sentence: It is easier to build strong children than it is to fix broken adults. This is the key to the future of our state because strong families and children are the foundation for a healthier community, a stronger economy and a better environment.”

Family has always been at the center of Duke Aiona’s life. He and his wife Vivian have been married for more than 28 years and together have raised four children: Makana, `Ohulani, Kuli`a and Ka`imilani.

Through the years, Duke and Vivian have come to understand the level of commitment, sacrifice, love and faith that it takes to keep a family together and raise children ready to face a rapidly changing world.

DUKE AIONA: “Your family is your identity. That’s why it is so important for me in my work that I’ve been doing not only on the bench but now as Lt. Governor, and as a future Governor, to make sure that our families are as strong as they can be.”

At the core of Duke Aiona is his analytical mind, deep spiritual beliefs, genuine caring nature and desire to give back. It’s what’s motivated him to get into public service, to coach basketball and youth soccer, and to volunteer for charitable causes. By his side is Vivian, compassionate, grounded and focused on making a difference in her family, our schools and community.

VIVIAN AIONA: “Duke has the right stuff. His work – as an attorney, as a judge, as a prosecutor – gives him such a vast knowledge. Duke is a competitor. He’s an athlete, he’s a coach. He can bring out the best in others and himself, and work together like a team. Duke is truly a public servant. He’s not a politician.”

It was Duke’s concern for Hawai`i’s families and future that led him to run for Lt Governor in 2002. Since being elected alongside Governor Lingle, he has worked every day to improve the lives of Hawai`i’s people with a level of involvement and commitment that is unprecedented by any Lt. Governor.  

GOVERNOR LINDA LINGLE: “Because he’s worked so closely with me day in and day out these past seven years, I think he is in a very unique position to become the next Governor. He would be the most qualified, the most experienced, and the only one with practical day-in and day-out experience in the operations of State government. And I’ve come to rely on Duke because the more intense a situation is – the more difficult it is – the better he is at it.”

The facts speak for themselves. Duke Aiona has worked tirelessly to improve education, diversify our economy, help Hawai`i create our own clean energy, and fight illegal drug use and underage drinking.

Without fanfare or self-promotion, Duke has visited every community and nearly every school in the state; speaking to young people, taking part in local community events, and most importantly, spending time listening to people – their concerns and their hopes for our future. 

VIVIAN AIONA: “He wants to hear what they have to say, and they have his undivided attention. He will make a note of it as soon as we get in the car. He’ll mention it. He’ll write it down. He’ll follow through. He’ll follow up. He is truly interested in what their concerns are.”

Whether it’s family, the law, serving the public, or taking care of our islands and people, Duke Aiona is a man of integrity that is committed not to his own political career but to the people and future of our islands.

DUKE AIONA: "The love of these islands, the love of this state, the love of this land, is just overwhelming. When you come to a spot such as this and you really look at the past, you look at the present, and you look at the future, you think about what’s best for Hawai`i. When it comes to our being, and what we are as a people of the State of Hawai`i, we have to be progressive and look forward. And it all begins within us, within our spirit and our hearts. And so to move Hawai`i forward, it’s going to take our collective hearts and our aloha to make it happen.”

Today our state faces unprecedented challenges and we need a leader who understands those challenges, has the experience and ability to run our state, and the vision to lead us into a more prosperous future.  

DUKE AIONA: “The future of our islands and people depends upon principled leadership, strengthening our `ohana and becoming better stewards of our `aina. It’s about a clean energy future, diversifying our economy, lowering taxes for our families and small businesses, and keeping neighborhoods and streets safe.”

Hawai`i and the world are becoming more and more diverse. With children that come from a Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese and Scottish background, Duke Aiona understands diversity. He’s a local boy who appreciates hard work and has a history of giving back to our community. As someone who has represented Hawai`i around the world he understands the uniqueness of our islands and the vital role that Hawai`i can play in the international community. From clean energy to innovative business practices to our multicultural society, Hawai`i can do more than thrive. It can be a centerpiece in a world looking for solutions.

DUKE AIONA: “The future of our people and the islands of Hawai`i depends on all of us coming together. Our legacy is going to be so important in that regard. Our kuleana – our responsibility – in how we malama the `aina, how we aloha one another and how we, as a people, live as an `ohana – one family. That’s going to be our legacy. That’s going to be our model for the rest of the world.”

This is a unique moment in history and throughout Hawai`i people are concerned about our future. The economy, education, tourism, housing, Native Hawaiian rights, alternative energy, the elderly, the homeless. The challenges are many and its time for principled and dedicated leadership that understands what Hawai`i is all about and where we can go if we work together.   Duke Aiona has the experience and knowledge to lead Hawai`i and its people into a bright and prosperous future.

They are our keiki, our mo’opuna, our perpetual stream. They are our future. For Duke Aiona, this perpetual stream is at the core of every choice he makes. Heritage, dedication, integrity, community. This is Duke Aiona: Hawai`i’s choice for Governor.

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