In this next episode of Her Way AAPI, we welcome Krystal Ka’ai, the former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders under the Biden Administration. The first Native Hawaiian to lead this Initiative, Ka’ai also worked on Capitol Hill for nearly 15 years, where she was the Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Raised in Hawaii, Ka’ai recalls not only seeing a lack of diversity, but greater visibility for the AANHPI community in Washington’s critical decision making spaces. She worked to ensure federal accessibility for all Americans, including helping small businesses and entrepreneurs to connect with federal entities. Under Ka’ai’s leadership, the Initiative focused on three core pillars: combating anti-Asian hate, advocating for disaggregated data collection, and expanding language access and preservation. Ka’ai discusses balancing these priorities with current events, such as the need to quickly pivot in response to the Maui wildfires and shootings in Monterey Park. Overseeing a diverse demographic, Ka’ai highlights the need to find both commonalities and distinct needs of each group. Lastly, as she reflects on her shift from journalism to advocacy, she underscores the value of trusting yourself and being open to anything and everything.

0:00 Introduction and Early Life

2:23 Hawaii, Lehigh and D.C.

5:25 Federal Accessibility for all Americans

6:05 Leading a Broad Coalition

9:34 Three Main Pillars of the Initiative

14:25 The Importance of Adaptability 

17:06 Leaving Home, a New Perspective 

20:02 Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch

23:16 COVID 19 Hate Crimes Act

25:05 Concluding Advice