ENDORSEMENTS | Fujinaka For 26

Kōkua from Our Community

Strong communities are built through trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. I am honored to earn the support of leaders, organizations, and community members who believe in our vision for a safer, stronger, and more affordable Hawaiʻi.

These endorsements reflect a shared commitment to protecting our local families, supporting working people, preserving our environment, strengthening public safety, and ensuring responsible leadership that puts our community first.

Every endorsement represents more than support for a campaign. It represents confidence in a movement focused on service, integrity, transparency, and meaningful action for the people of House District 26 — Makiki, Tantalus, Punchbowl, and Papakōlea.

Mahalo to everyone who has placed their trust in this campaign and joined me in building a better future for our community.

H.O.K.U PAC

A longtime advocate and transgender community leader with deep roots in Hawaiʻi. Strongly supports LGBTQIA+ civil rights, inclusive schools, and workplace protections. Proven record of community service and advocacy with organizations supporting Hawaiʻi’s māhū and LGBTQIA+ communities.Dedication to affordability, equity, and protecting the dignity of all Hawaiʻi residents.

Rep Kim Coco Iwamoto

Our state needs the residents of District 26 to send a bold leader to the Hawaii House of Representatives. We need more independent, courageous, and compassionate Representatives to join the fight for working families. Too many of my colleagues just go along to get along - they are silent when leadership violates the constitution or ignores pay-to-play corruption. I have known Janel Fujinaka for over 16 years, and as my committee clerk this past session, Janel was always early to work and eager to exceed my expectations. I pray that the people of Makiki, Tantalus, Punchbowl and Papakōlea send Janel Fujinaka as their Representative so we can work together to better serve our neighboring districts.” State Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto, District 25 (Ala Moana, Kakaako and Downtown Honolulu)

Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp

Today I had the chance to meet with Janel Fujinaka, who is running for Hawaiʻi State House District 26, and the conversation impressed me with her knowledge and humility.

I shared that my own advocacies come from lived experience growing up on Anianiku Street, from watching my family and others in the community struggle with food security, transportation, access to community spaces, health access, and the lack of Hawaiian language programs. Papakōlea will always be important to me no matter where I live and I want anyone who is running for any political office to make sure that homesteads like Papakōlea are not forgotten and that they know the issue more than superficially.

What mattered to me was that she understood this not just intellectually. She shared that she also grew up in a struggling family, came through the public school system, and that level of understanding of concerns from her personal experience showed up in how she spoke. These issues were not treated as abstract or hypothetical. She already knew the concerns and named leaders I know from Papakōlea. She was on top of it and did her research.

She was clear that her approach is to support what the community wants, not to come in and tell them what they need.

We talked about real renter protections, term limits for state legislators, ethics, outreach that is consistent with Hawaiian values, and about her particular advocacy for kūpuna care as a measure of our collective health.

What stayed with me most was her emphasis on compassionate community driven solutions and on talking with people, not at them. We really need more people in political office who value community well-being and care from their own lived experiences.

I deeply value conversations where someone shows up having done the work but still wants to do more, is ready to listen deeply, and honors lived experience. Today felt like one of those conversations and I hope more people have conversations with people like Janel.

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Calvin Marquez Jr.

As a former Makiki resident and former Director of Development for Life Foundation, I understand the importance of leadership that is deeply rooted in service, compassion, and accountability to the community. That is why I proudly endorse Janel Fujinaka for State House District 26.

Janel brings the work ethic, integrity, and people-first leadership our district deserves. She has demonstrated a clear commitment to listening to residents, understanding the challenges facing working families, and pursuing thoughtful, practical solutions that strengthen our neighborhoods.

District 26 needs a leader who will show up, do the work, and advocate tirelessly for Makiki, Tantalus, Punchbowl, and Papakōlea. Janel Fujinaka is ready to lead with purpose, and I am proud to support her candidacy for a stronger future for our community.

Calvin Marquez Jr.
Former Director of Development, The Life Foundation
Former Makiki Resident