I ali’i no ke ali’i ke kanaka….” A chief is not a chief without the people.” It means true leadership is rooted in the service of its people..
I grew up in a mixed upbringing with a Hawaiian father. With that, I was raised with Hawaiian values. These lessons in my formative years remained into adulthood and were grounded in words like pono (doing what is right), kuleana (responsibility), and ʻohana (family, in the truest sense). In my culture, ʻohana doesn’t stop at your front door. It includes your neighbors, your school, your community and anyone you serve alongside and care for.
As a husband, a father of two, and a federal law enforcement officer, I’ve spent my life protecting others. Everything I have done up to this point has been in the service of others. As a special needs parent, I’ve spent years advocating for the most vulnerable student populations. In our home, we raise our children with the spirit of aloha…not just a word, but a way of living with compassion, patience, and responsibility. It shapes how I interact with everyone and how I advocate for students. Especially those with special needs who can’t always advocate for themselves. As of now, I feel a deep responsibility to give back to the town that welcomed my family.
I’m not running for recognition or politics, but because I believe Lacey deserves leaders who will protect its students, respect its teachers, and listen to its people.
My roots taught me that leadership is a form of service. That’s exactly how I plan to lead.
Brandon Hurley for Lacey Board of Education 