Among those turning out to help Mazie Hirono open her U.S. Senate campaign headquarters at the Nimitz Center on St. Patrick’s Day were Calvin Say, Jill Tokuda, Joey Manahan, Randy Perreira, Wil Okabe, Joan Husted and Haunani Apoliona.

In a brief address to supporters, Hirono shared the story of emigrating from Japan with her mother when Mazie was just 8 years old in order to escape an abusive husband.

The candidate stressed helping people get “an opportunity to succeed” as a main reason she is running for Senate, adding, “We also need a senator who shares our values” — i.e., for keiki, seniors and ohana.

Hirono’s Senate race is helped by veterans like Elisa Yadao, who helped Dan Akaka defeat Ed Case in 2006. On Saturday, she also picked up another endorsement, this one from the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association.