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French Novelist Gustave Flaubert once wrote, “The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but rather those days when out of dejection and despair you feel rise in you a challenge to life, and the promise of future accomplishments.”

I’ve had many glorious moments.

When I was six, my single mom, sister Alyssa and I were homeless on the Big Island. My mom was a single parent working and attending UH Hilo. Unfortunately, there was a point where we ended up living in a Volkswagen van on the beach. I believe that many people in Hawaii today are one pay check away from finding themselves in a similar situation that my young mother found our small family in.

I knew we were poor, we used food stamps as a resource. And there were times that I would save my school lunch in my pocket to give to my mom. But I didn’t let this define me. I didn’t allow for any negativity. I took it as an opportunity to rise to the challenge and today I feel very fortunate that I can share this experience with others and show them that no matter where you come from, you can always reach for higher rungs in the ladder of life. My mom has now been recognized at the first Native American to earn a Ph.D. specializing in Neuropsychology. Her example of working hard and not settling has been engrained into the fiber of my being.

My promise of future accomplishments has manifested itself in many ways. Working for seven years at one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofit organizations, I was able to serve over 6,000 underprivileged youngsters on a weekly basis. I’ve helped feed the homeless as the organizer of Christmas Eve Under Nimitz Viaducts and volunteering at many of the local shelters. As Mrs. Hawaii 2013, I broadened public awareness of healthy nutrition for all, but especially for low-income populations throughout the Islands.

I currently serve as a Board Member of the Pearl City Community Association and as a Rotarian of the Pearlridge Club. I recently organized the Fans From Fans drive that successfully put over 250 fans into Pearl City High School to abate the excruciating summer heat. I have worked at the State Capitol as a Legislative Media Liaison gaining much experience in Hawaii politics. I write an online political column entitled The View from Paradise. Finally, I am a quest host to the 808 State Update Radio program with former Lt. Governor Duke Aiona, the program inspires, educates and engages Hawaii’s citizens about political process in Hawaii.

As a wife to my husband, Chad, a Honolulu police officer and Army Reservist, also a mother to my five-year-old son C.J., I uphold traditional family values based on those of our parents and grandparents.

I’m saddened to see residents living on our streets and decisions being made at our State Capitol based on self, not service. And, I feel compelled to rise to the challenge once again. I truly believe we can eliminate homelessness by putting our communities’ best interests ahead of our own. I’m ready to make this one of my glorious moments on the next rung on my ladder of life. I am hopeful you will share this moment with me.

Aloha,

Jaci Agustin