South Maui state House candidate Kaniela Ing was born on Maui. He has become what so many of us hope for: One of our very own Maui keiki who took the opportunity to advance his education, return home to family and friends and apply that knowledge to help his community. Yet, in what appears to be desperate efforts to harm his campaign, false accusations are circulating that he was born on the Mainland or on Oahu, while his opponent is called a Maui native. We find these false accusations unacceptable and disturbing. To help stop the negative efforts of his critics and opponents' supporters, Kaniela has felt compelled to display a copy of his birth certificate on his Facebook page.
We have known Kaniela since he was a boy. His father, Mark, was a paddler at Na Kai Ewalu canoe club in Kahului. His mom, Annette, did graphic art work to help different canoe clubs and canoe races. We coached Mark and worked with Annette during those years before Mark passed away much too young. His children, including Kaniela, are Maui keiki.
Go to www.kanielaing.com for information on how you can kokua Kaniela. Whether you live in South Maui or not, there's something you can do to help a Maui son who is a qualified candidate.
We hope that Maui politics will not spiral down to such low levels that we forget we are a community of friends and family before, as well as after, an election.
Ben and Mahina Martin
Wailuku
