Akaka’s Hawaiian interns sometimes get homesick

Kaiholenamapunamakai.

If it’s not the longest name on Capitol Hill, it comes close, so you can call this 20-year-old intern by his Hawaiian name, Kai, for short. He is also known by his legal name, Pueo McGuire.

McGuire and his older counterpart, Kaeo Drummondo, 22, have probably come further than anyone else working on the Hill to intern for Sen. Daniel Akaka’s (D-Hawaii) office.

Although they did not know each other before their internships, the two have formed a dynamic force. One wants to make laws, while the other wants to enforce them.

McGuire is a native of Kaalualu, Hawaii, the southernmost city in the U.S. A political science major, he wants to pursue a career in public service.

McGuire has started a student group called Maupono (Hawaiian for “perpetuate a balance”) at his school, the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The group invites government officials and community organizations to speak with students about local issues, such as land preservation and development — an area that McGuire wants to explore further in law school after he graduates from college next year.

Drummondo, a criminal justice major, says he has no political ambitions but wants to go into law enforcement. It’s not a stretch to see Drummondo and his linebacker physique donning a uniform with the initials “SWAT” or “FBI” on the back. He is the first in his family to go into law enforcement — a career he has settled on after consulting with his heart.

“I think that you need to think of something you’re going to enjoy for the next 30 years, so when you wake up you enjoy going to your job,” said Drummondo, who is also still in school at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Drummondo’s hometown is almost 5,000 miles away on the state’s most populous island, Oahu. To keep from getting homesick, he has brought his wife Julie and their 8-month-old daughter Isabella with him.

McGuire had another solution to beat back homesickness. He once went down to Union Station, opened up his guitar case outside, and began to play everything from classic rock to reggae. Several hours later and several dollars richer, he went down to the food court and bought some Chinese — because the rice, a staple food in Hawaii, reminded him of home.

Editors note: Two interns were selected this week because both came from as far away as Hawaii.