Chun Oakland To Leave Senate
The Hawaii lawmaker will not run for re-election this year after serving听in the state House听and Senate听for 26 years.
Suzanne Chun Oakland told colleagues, family and friends Friday that she will not seek another term in office.
Chun Oakland, a Democrat who represents state Senate District 13 (Liliha, Palama, Iwilei, Kalihi, Nuuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Lower Tantalus and Downtown), has served as a senator or House representative since 1990.
In a letter explaining her departure, she reflected on her career with fellow legislators:
We have statutes in place that are protective and supportive of our most vulnerable people.听I am proud of my colleagues for being unified and making this an important part of our collective kuleana.听
Hawaii has enjoyed a significant reduction in child abuse and neglect and has the lowest re-abuse rate in the nation.听We have been recognized for investing significant resources in the non-school hours for our children and youth.听The commitment to caring for our kupuna and people with disabilities is also a hallmark of this State.听
Our public policies have supported a beautiful environment, preservation of many precious natural resources, one of the best quality of fresh water in the world, one of the lowest violent crime rates in the nation, one of the highest longevity rates in the world, and the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the nation.听
As of Friday, one Democrat and one Republican have pulled papers to run for the Chun Oakland’s seat.
Earlier this year,听former legislator and Honolulu City Council member Rod Tam expressed interest in running in District 13.
