HCAN SPEAKS! STANDS WITH KIM COCO

July 14, 2020 – This year my daughter will be a 1st grader and enrolled at Queen Kaahumanu Elementary. Whether our kids are enrolled in a public or private school, parents don’t know what “back to school" really means for our daily lives during this pandemic.

Can I plan on going to work while my daughter is at school? Should I plan for a sitter in case the situation worsens? How do I feel about exposing our beloved teachers (and their families) to the dangers of this disease? Can I piece together enough human engagement and learning stimulus to keep her closer to home and academically on track? Should I expand our “germ pod” to include a few other families and we pool our resources together to take turns or to hire a teacher.

We are going to have to make some risk/reward assessments beyond what our schools are able to provide given their own risk assessments and liabilities. We will need to look into our own capacity to help others and accept support. Some refer to this as mutual aid. Others call it community. And some are lucky enough to call it ohana. We will all need to think creatively, resourcefully, and humbly to meet this challenge. This challenge is greater than schools and government can solve. As a parent, I understand your family's struggles and am committed to finding compassionate and effective solutions so that all of our children can thrive.

P.S. - Read our July 14 campaign newsletter here. Join us and let your voice be heard at the August 8 election for State House Representative of District 26. The 26th State House District encompasses McCully, Kaheka, Ala Moana, Kakaako, and Downtown Honolulu.

Issued by Hawai`i Children’s Action Network Speaks!

HAWAI`I CHILDREN’S ACTION NETWORK SPEAKS! ENDORSES KIM COCO IWAMOTO FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks! has endorsed Kim Coco's candidacy for District 26. HCAN's 2020 Policy Agenda includes important advocacy for a living wage, refundable earned income tax credit, paid family leave, dental benefits, and elimination of suspension or expulsion from pre-K programs and more.

"Our keiki need champions like you in the legislature, and we look forward to working with you to improve the health, safety, and education of Hawaiʻi’s children. With the endorsement of Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks!, our thousands of supporters — and voters statewide — will know that you’re committed to fighting for our keiki and families."