Fundraiser with MAKANA! August 10th.

Aloha Kakou!
The Summer Starr for State House campaign has been blessed to have MAKANA perform at an upcoming fundraiser: August 10th, 5pm-9pm. Upcountry style dinner, drinks, and entertainment will all be provided with the purchase of an $100 ticket. Please come out and support Summer Starr in her candidacy. To purchase tickets contact us at: info@electsummer.com or 808.572.IMUA(4682). Better be quick, as tickets are selling fast!

Mahalo Nui, and see you there!

Kupuna Aloha Luncheon

This past weekend I was delighted to attend the Kupuna Aloha Luncheon sponsored by Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO).

It was wonderful to meet our islands' seniors and have an opportunity to talk story with them. The MEO staff and the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel put on a lovely event.


I had an opportunity to speak in front of the crowd of 800 seniors. What follows is an excerpt from my speech:

...I was born and raised Upcountry, in Olinda. I attended Makawao School and then Seabury, though I left Seabury and started college at the age of 16. Growing up in Makawao, I saw my lovely little town growing so rapidly and our local families getting displaced. I was watching as our small-business were shutting down. I was watching as my own family struggled. And then I saw our last local dairy close its doors. I was watching as my lovely Upcountry came under pressure. This deeply saddened me, but more importantly, it motivated me – and that is what has brought me here today. Considering this is a luncheon to honor our seniors, I find it appropriate to honor my own kupuna. My father, Hugh started out as a Paniolo for Ulupalakua and Moloka’i ranch and to him attribute my deep reverence and knowledge of the land. My mother, Erin was an English teacher Upcountry, and to her I attribute my intellectual development. My grandfather, Russell Starr was a Representative in the Territorial Government of Hawaii, to him I attribute my passion for representing the people. My great-grandmother, Betty danced hula in Kaimuki and took surf lessons from the Kahanamoku’s and to her I attribute my special connection to and deep respect for the Hawaiian culture. And my other grandfather, Patrick, was an Navy Ace fighter pilot in WWII and to him I attribute my profound responsibility to fight and protect all that makes our Nation great. Because of all those who came before me, and because of all of those who will come after me – I have decided to run for office and protect our little piece of paradise. We are living in an historic moment. This year, our elections will make history on Maui, in Hawaii, in the Nation, and in the World.

I have Officially Filed my Nomination Papers!

Our official Press Release:

Summer Starr Files Papers To Run for Upcountry Seat

Contact: Dave Atias (808) 264-3695, mauigreen34@yahoo.com

(Makawao) Summer Starr filed papers today with the County of Maui to run in the Democratic primary election for a seat in the Hawaii State Legislature. Her campaign slogan is “From Upcountry, For Upcountry.”

Starr, who was born and raised in Makawao, is running to represent District 12, which includes Olinda, Pi`iholo, Makawao, Hali`imaile, Pukalani, Kula, Keokea, Kahikinui, Pulehu and parts of Ulupalakua. She is running on a platform that focuses on agriculture, renewable energy, resource management and supporting our communities and small businesses. Both her mother and father come from families with deep roots in Hawaii.

“I am blessed to have grown up amidst such beauty and community here in Upcountry, but without fundamental change, that lifestyle is threatened,” Starr said. “It is clear that what is in place right now is not working. I want to make sure that those who follow us can grow and flourish in an environment that is healthy and pono.”

“I’m walking door-to-door all over Upcountry listening to what people want and expect from their government, “ Starr added. “I’m so excited to make my candidacy official and I am ready to serve my community.”

Starr, a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, has worked for the Legislative Reference Bureau and has a record of leadership in community, environmental and cultural organizations.

Starr’s vision for Upcountry can be seen at www.ElectSummer.com. She also blogs about her campaign at http://electsummer.blogspot.com.

Makawao Parade!

Wow, the Makawao Parade was wonderful! I grew up watching this parade every single year. And this year, I got to be IN the parade! We had family, friends, supporters, skateboarders, classic cars, and lots of cheering!

Thank you so much to everyone who made this event happen, without your support early on a Saturday morning, there is no way we could have pulled off such a great event.

Dad navigating the pink Starchief, mom and little cousins cruising in the back

Me with my lovely sister Amber with her amazing son, Josiah, and our cousin Jason.

My beautiful aunties.

Thank you to EVERYONE, all the entries, who were in the parade. It is a very important part of Makawao, and I appreciate the efforts of the community to keep this tradition alive and well!

A hui hou,
Summer Starr

Remember: BIG DOOR 2 DOOR PUKALANI: SATURDAY, JULY 12.
Meet 9:30am at Pukalani Community Center.

Big Door 2 Door

Thank you everyone who came out and helped us canvass Makawao!

It was a hot day, and there sure were a lot of dogs, but we had a great time getting to know our neighbors and spreading the word that someone who is From Upcountry and For Upcountry is now running to represent us Upcountry!

We will be having another big Door to Door event for Pukalani this Saturday, July 12th. Please meet at Pukalani Community Center at 9:30am. Volunteers will receive:

-Door to Door tutorial
-all the supplies you need for going door to door
-a Summer Starr bumper sticker
-Komoda donuts!
-Please just bring sunscreen for yourself, comfortable shoes, and a probably a hat.

See you then!!