In the press release announcement, the Democrat makes clear her inspiration for running:

Today my candidacy became official and although I am the candidate, this is not a journey that I am taking alone. The people of Hawaii are on this journey with me toward a brighter and stronger and more sustainable Hawaii for all of us.

My personal journey started as a little girl in Japan where my mother endured an abusive husband until she bravely escaped him and brought my brother and me to America and Hawaii. Those early years were tough. She raised three children by herself. As a single mother she held low paying jobs with no job security, and no health care. Growing up my greatest fear was that my mother would get sick and not be able to work. We were living paycheck to paycheck the way too many of our families are living today.

I understand what families are facing. That’s why I am so focused on getting our economy back on track and creating jobs for our people.

My mother showed me to be strong and never give up fighting for Hawaii’s people and my record shows it.