High Meditation

The political world of Kalani English

MauiTime Weekly
October 28, 2004 - Vol 8 - Issue 18

BY JOE GATTO

Kalani, center, with a couple constituents

State Senator J. Kalani English is not your typical politician. It's a fact he recognizes and even embraces. In fact, he considers himself a bridge between people, communities and ideas.

"I seek the middle path, the path of least resistance that will benefit all sentient beings," he told me one recent night in Paia. "Leadership in politics is about finding the delicate balance on any issue and making it seem reasonable for those who support it, oppose it, or are seeing it for the first time."

I was out with English and some key supporters, including the singer Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and campaign chairwoman Leona Bak Nomura. It was an informal evening--just drinking beers and talking story.

During that evening, it became clear to me that English is out of place in our time of fear-based politics and campaigning. His campaign headquarters is Kuau Mart on the road to Hana in Paia. He often hangs out there and talks to his constituents. He serves them food, listens graciously and talks story with anybody.

Blessed with that wonderful Hawaiian quality of "talking story," he can speak with anyone. He's a patient, intent listener no matter what the topic or the situation. It is apparent that, to English, human interaction and genuinely respectful dialogue is very important.

English had already served two terms as a Maui County Councilman when he was first elected to the Hawaii State Senate in 2000, representing the 5th District encompassing Central Maui, Kahului, Wailuku and Pukalani. Redistricting moved English into the 6th District, where he represents Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kaho'olawe.

Now running for a third term in the state senate, English faces Republican Robb Finberg and Green Party candidate Shaun Stenshol. If the Sept. 18 primary results are any indication of popularity, then English is a shoe-in.

Most incumbent candidates ran in uncontested races, and took in between 800 and 2,000 votes. English had 4,675. Finberg and Stenshol combined didn't break 1,000.

At one point we went to the SandBar. There, among the crowd of 21 to 30-year-olds, English spoke of how he was naturally able to move through--even blend into--such a diverse crowd.

"Leadership embodies the ability to take in many points of view, find areas of overlap and agreement and then move it forward," he said.

There's probably no more Western name than "English," but the senator's ethnicity is a mix of Chinese, Hawaiian, Tahitian and Russian Judaism. English's grandparents Murray and Violet En Kyau Soong English raised him in Hana in a tightly knit family. In fact, the household spoke a mix of Hawaiian and Chinese.

"I learned the values of Hawaii, which are, the more you give the better," he said. "If everyone is taken care of, then so are you. For example, we have a sweet potato vine that is hundreds of years old and we have always given away the potatoes to our neighbors. The generosity was always returned."

His policies are an exemplification and manifestation of his personal philosophy of finding the middle path. Proof of this is that he is the only candidate endorsed by the construction industry and environmental organizations.

"It is so important that he is the only Hawaiian in the Senate," said Gilliom. "He preserves the Hawaiian traditions of 'Ke Akua,' respect for God, 'Aumakua,' recognizing the guardian spirits and 'Kupuna,' reverence for one's elders. Kalani lives by these principles, which makes him a unique and valuable leader. This is his personal foundation. He looks at everything through a Hawaiian lens, keeping in mind the best interests of everyone in relation to the land."

At a time when President George W. Bush uses the "L word" as a slur against his opponent Senator John F. Kerry, English is proud to call himself a liberal. He takes the word for its literal meaning to favor progress, reform and tolerance.

"I'm not ashamed to use the word liberal," says English. "It means to be open-minded, creative, and innovative. I've helped bring to fruition the most controversial issues in Maui County. While on the council I took on zoning for the first time in 45 years and we zoned Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, as well as legalizing indigenous architecture in Maui County.

"In the end I represent all beliefs and faiths," he continued. "I represent Democrats, Republicans, Greens, independents--those that don't vote and those that do. I say that 'I'm here for you whether you voted for me or not. I'm your senator and my job is to help people as much as I can.' My job is like a high meditation for me. I want to help people transmute their energy to something higher. I get a depth of gratitude on a spiritual level by doing this." MTW

Copyright © 2004

Original article: http://www.mauitime.com/v08/v08_18/news.html

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