Page 6 - MidWeek Kauai - July 27, 2022

6 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK JULY 27, 2022
KAUA‘I MIDWEEK COVER STORY
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STORY BY Kaua‘i Midweek staff
PHOTO BY Lawrence Tabudlo
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Summertime reminds Sherry Menor-Mc- Namara of one of her
if they didn’t have a lot, they’ d give whatever was on their farm to those who needed it.”
Menor-McNamara of the outer island communities. “Sometimes decisions are too Honolulu-centric. I have a desire to make Hawai‘i a better place for all of us, and it’s the values I grew up with that will help me do that. I’ve applied them to every job I’ve had.”
favorite childhood memo- ries: visiting Grandpa Angelo and Grandma Paulina at their Pāhoa farm. She remembers the beautiful anthuriums and being surrounded by tanger- ine, mountain apple and ‘ulu trees — and how all of those living things were the culmi- nation of her grandparents’ hard work.
That’s the way she wants to lead Hawai‘i as the state’s next lieutenant governor, and is hoping to get one step closer after the prima- ries on Aug. 13. The Hilo native is the only nominee on the ticket who grew up on a neighbor island, and hopes to be a voice for the underrepresented if elected. It’s why she’s been making frequent trips to the Garden Isle, which feels like a home away from home.
Lieutenant governor hopeful Sherry Menor-McNamara (far right) and state Rep. Jimmy Tokioka (second from left) take a picture with supporters at a Kaua‘i chili and rice rally. PHOTO COURTESY SHERRY4LG
understand the issues in front of her,” says state Rep. Jim- my Tokioka. “The world of politics is filled with sharp-el- bows, oversized egos and competing agendas — Sherry has been able to be an effec- tive leader and deliver results because she always conducts
And that’s saying some- thing considering she’s worked at big-name com- panies like Sony Pictures Entertainment, Elton John Production and Estée Laud- er, as well as public service appointments in the office of U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and the Executive Office of the President. Most recently, she’s brought those core val- ues to her position as presi-
Never one to shirk from hard work herself, a young Menor-McNamara would help crack macadamia nuts and then accompany her grandparents to town, where they’d sell the day’s wares to local families.
herself with the highest level of honesty and integrity. Peo- ple trust her because her word is her bond; when she says she is going to do something, it gets done.”
has been able to hear first- hand the specific issues that weigh heavy on their hearts.
“They were so communi- ty-focused,” she says. “Even
“What people sometimes don’t see is the amount of time she spends getting out into our communities to build relationships and really
In talking with people from communities across Kaua‘i, Menor-McNamara
“I’m able to meet people I otherwise may not have met, and the people on Kaua‘i are just amazing,” she says.
“It’s important for their voices to be heard,” adds
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