Summer's Blog

MAHALO NUI!

2008-09-21T04:06:00.000-07:00

WOW!
What a great turnout. We received 41.2% of the vote, and I have YOU to thank for that.
It is 1:00am, so I am going to keep this blog short:) I have attached some photos from tonight.
THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ALOHA!

My hand after the third printout

friends, family, and supporters!

MAHALO NUI LOA!
THIS IS A CAMPAIGN ABOUT THE PEOPLE, AND ABOUT A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, AND TONIGHT WE PROVED THAT REAL CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON.

We've been busy!

2008-09-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20th!

Hello Everyone!

Here are some photos from our latest signwavings!

Quick Post

2008-09-19T08:23:00.001-07:00

Well, the Primary Elections are tomorrow!

I am just writing a quick post before heading out to do one of our last big signwavings before the Saturday Primary.

I humbly ask for your support this Saturday.

Mahalo Nui!

Salamat Po!: Filipino Candidate Forum

2008-09-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

This past week has been busy, and we are only getting busier!
The highlight of the week was attending the Filipino Candidate Forum. Here are some photos from the evening:

Shown in photos: Elizabeth Ayson, Councilman Pontanilla, Mrs. Agaran, Rep. McKelvey, Sen. English, Lucienne DeNaie, Kai Nishiki.

I thank everyone who helped bring this event together. It's a lot of hard work and dedication, and it is well worth it. We need to assure that our voters are informed and prepared for electing their leaders.

Salamat Po!

Sierra Club Canoe Race and Picnic

2008-09-08T01:32:00.001-07:00

What Fun! Thank you so much to everyone who made this event possible it was great to be able to campaign and paddle canoe all at the same time. Starr team placed second in our division, a few meters behind Kai Nishiki's crew. Here are some photos:

The Team:

Lucienne's Crew www.electluci.com

Kai's Crew www.kainishiki.com

Tasha's Crew www.tashakama.com

Walk the Talk

2008-09-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I was up early helping the Kula Community Association with cleaning up their portion of adopted highway. I came bearing coffee and snacks - after years of community service, I know that a little extra energy goes a long way.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered!

another day, another smile

2008-09-08T01:12:00.001-07:00

We were out again and again, despite the cane smoke. The Starr team are such troopers! Thanks for all of your smiles, waves, shakas, and honks early in the morning.

How auspicious:

We are a happy bunch!

MEO Senior Fair

2008-08-31T21:37:00.001-07:00

What Fun! Here are some photos from the Senior Fair this past weekend at War Memorial Stadium.

Mary Medeiros and her daughter- I would walk to her house every day after Makawao School. She is an amazing woman.

It is such a pleasure to meet so many kupuna from all over Maui

This wahine works for Moku'ula in Lahaina, a wonderful restoration project.

Listening.

Thank you to MEO, and everyone who make this fair possible year after year.
A hui hou,
Summer Starr*

p.s. HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY!

...and more signwaving...

2008-08-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Signwaving!

2008-08-28T01:09:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful morning! Family and friends got together for coffee, Komoda creampuffs, and some good ol' local style signwaving, Here are some pics:

Endorsed by the Sierra Club!

2008-08-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

It is an honor to be endorsed by such an integral and influential group. I look forward to creating progressive and comprehensive legislation with the Sierra Club in the near future. Here are some photos of their press conference at the Capitol on Oahu today:

Some of the other endorsed candidates

Hard Working Sierra Club Staff

Candidate from O'ahu (East Side), Jessica Wooley: www.jessicawooley.com

Candidate from O'ahu (Ewa), Kurt Fevella

Hawaii Director of Sierra Club, Jeff Mikulina

MEO Candidate Forum

2008-08-28T00:53:00.001-07:00

I participated in the MEO candidate forum last week. It was an opportunity for the non-profit sector to see who supported them whole heartedly. The video will be showing on Akaku soon.

p.s.: for more media on Summer Starr check out electsummer.com for video, audio, and written media coverage.

Bon Dance Paia Rinzai Mission

2008-08-28T00:45:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful night for a Bon Dance. Here are some photos from the bon dance at the Rinzai Mission. You can see how lovely the full moon was:

Kula Forum

2008-08-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

Aloha,

Click on this link to watch the video from the Kula Forum/Debate:

House District 12 - Upcountry Maui
www.maui2000.com/video/House District 12 Upcountry Maui.htm

Photos from the Fundraiser!

2008-08-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Aloha!

Our fundraiser was an absolute success! We were blessed with afternoon showers, the food was regionally based, grown Upcountry and so tasty. The guests had wonderful time, and of course MAKANA put on a riveting performance. It was very encouraging to see how much support I have from within my community.
Here are some photos from the event, and there are more to come.

Here with part of our family, everyone worked so hard to help bring this whole event together.

With mother and father: Hugh and Erin Starr

MAKANA

I want to thank all those who donate their time, their services, and their products to this event.
MAHALO!

Maui News Article

2008-08-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

Maui News:
Summer Starr's response on The Issues:

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/506781.html

Visit and Tour of Kula Hospital

2008-08-07T02:01:00.000-07:00

August 3rd, 2008
Aloha Kakou,
Having been born and raised Upcountry I have always admired Kula Hospital for its ability to stick through all the changes happening Upcountry, and for maintaining its majestic presence. I had an opportunity to meet the staff and administration, and go on a tour of the grounds this week. What I saw was both sad and beautiful. Kula Hospital will be having its 100 year anniversary in 2010. I have spoken with those who work at the hospital and they too feel as though it is a bittersweet place. To me it looked like a gold-mine waiting to be discovered. These are just a couple of the amazing views available to the patients and residents there at Kula Hospital. They do have a 24 hour 7 day a week Emergency Room available to our community now! I have learned that operating a rural hospital is a difficult task, and I hope to find a way to allow Kula Hospital to succeed. It is an asset to our community and has great historical significance, and offers quality health care. Thank you so much to those who shared the mana'o.

Fundraiser for Mele Carroll

2008-08-07T01:40:00.000-07:00

July 30th, 2008
Aloha Kakou,
I attended the fundraiser for Mele Carroll held at the Haiku Community Center. Ono grinds, wonderful entertainment, great company, just an overall good time -- I would expect no less from Representative Carroll. She will be running unopposed, which is excellent for the people of East Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Kaho`olawe, and for the fish at Molokini.

With the woman of the evening, Mele, and Kai Nishiki who is running for County Council.

Here with the outstanding Randy Awo of the DOCARE division of DLNR. This man has a true passion to protect his `aina that is beautiful and should be emulated by all resource enforcement. Honestly, with more men and women like him, our Maui will be a beautiful place.

The one, the only, the wonderful, Richard Ho`opi`i

At the MACC

2008-08-07T01:34:00.000-07:00

July 29th, 2008
Aloha Everyone,
We were fortunate enough to have a table at the MACC for the weekly Maui Film Festival film. It was a great time to catch up with old friends, and make some new ones!!

My lovely parents: Erin and Hugh Starr. They have been so supportive, truly amazing individuals:

Getting some ono grinds:

Fundraiser with MAKANA! August 10th.

2008-07-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-28T23:29:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-07-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-08T02:50:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-08T02:40:00.000-07:00

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!!

Upcountry Ag Fair Weekend!

2008-06-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

Aloha Everyone!
This weekend has been magnificent so far with the Upcountry Ag Fair held at Oskie Rice Arena. I feel right at home (which I am) at the Rodeo Arena. I am having great memories of horse-back riding as a little girl, watching the rodeo, hearing goats and cows and pigs....this is the essence of Upcountry!

The family in the Starr Tent.
With my amazing niece, Lily.

Our friendly neighbors in Olinda