On Oct. 29, AP Seminar students at Radford recently had the opportunity to see Hawaii State Senator Glenn Wakai, who visited the campus to share about his experiences in government personal anecdotes and answer student questions.

During the visit, Senator Wakai talked about his journey from being a television news reporter for KHON and KHNL to his career in politics, where he is now the (Democratic) House Majority Leader for Hawaii’s State Senate.

In his short speech, Senator Wakai highlighted key initiatives, including making Hawaii a hub for astronomy and satellite launches, reducing state reliance on imported food and goods, and speaking on other important issues.

He finished off the visit with a Q&A session where he answered student questions on topics such as affordable housing for Hawaiians (Hawaiian Home Lands program) and other space-related initiatives. Senator Wakai gave students personal insights from his time in the local legislature by offering them a practical perspective on public service and policy-making.

Overall, Senator Wakai’s visit was educational and inspiring by showing students a first-hand look at the work of a State Senator and encouraging them to consider how their voices and ideas can contribute to real change in society.