As a lifelong Hawaii resident and former Democratic voter, I am deeply disappointed in the recent Democrat-led government shutdown and the continued lack of independent leadership from our own U.S. senators, Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz.

Both have chosen to follow the party line and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer’s direction rather than standing up for what is right for the people. Their actions show a troubling lack of accountability, compassion and common sense. The shutdown hurts working families, kupuna and small businesses across our islands — people who cannot afford to be political pawns in partisan games.

I once supported these leaders, believing they represented Hawaii’s values of fairness, responsibility and integrity. Sadly, they have instead become symbols of blind loyalty to party

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