[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 1068]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 MOURNING THE HONORABLE GILBERT KAHELE

  (Ms. GABBARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, this morning in Hawaii, in just a couple of 
hours, the people of the Aloha State are gathering at the Hawaii State 
Capitol to perform the Kanikau, a morning chant, as they bid farewell 
and celebrate the life of a great man and dedicated public servant who 
passed away suddenly last week.
  The Honorable Gilbert Kahele was born in a small fishing village in 
Milolii on May 15, 1942. He is a native Hawaiian, a very talented 
musician, and a community activist who selflessly served our country as 
a U.S. marine, served Hawaii as a State senator, and served his 
community of Hawaii as a fierce advocate.
  I saw Gil recently here in Washington, D.C., just a few months ago, 
where, as always, he was ready with a smile, a hug, and warm aloha.
  My heart is with the Kahele 'ohana and all of Hawaii island as today 
we celebrate Gil's life of service and the positive impact he made on 
countless lives.
  Gil, mahalo nui loa for dedicating your life to serving others and 
for demonstrating how much we can achieve when we work together in the 
spirit of aloha.

                          ____________________