Wallyn Kanoelani Christian
Aloha! I was born in 1968 and raised on the island of O’ahu in Aiea. I am the youngest of four children; having one sister and two brothers!
My father was born and raised on the island of Kaua’i, served for 30+ years as a Command Sergeant Major (CSM) in the United States Army including several tours in Vietnam.
My mother, a Maui native, was living on the mainland with my step-father who was serving in the United States Navy. My grandmother “hanai’ed” and raised us as a single grandparent; she was always our rock and her love and sacrifice she had for her ohana, especially us children, was evident in her everyday expression to all of us!
I lived and grew up in Halawa Housing, otherwise known as Pu’uwai Momi, and also in Wahiawa. I attended Aiea from elementary up to 9th grade then continued my high school education and graduated from Leilehua High School in Wahiawa. I was once married to a man who served in the United States Navy and I was chosen as the Ombudsman representing the families and worked directly with the Captain and officers of the Command.
I have four grown children and six mo’opuna (grandchildren) that were born and raised in Hawai’i. However, because of the high cost of living that we all experience and struggle with on a daily basis, my daughters made the difficult decision to move to the mainland to raise their children so they can thrive and give their kids a better chance at living their best life!
Being a working mother and a military wife; I also attended and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Administration and an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. I also received two degrees from Life Christian University in Theology. My desire is to utilize my educational background, life experiences and work skills to represent the people of Hawai’i in the US Senate; being the face and voice while fighting to make it right for the people of Hawai’i!
With all that I’ve experienced in my life up to this point and living in this beautiful place we call home, the struggle to survive is very real to all of us! My grandma taught us to love people, help people, speak up for people and fight for people who cannot or did not know how to for themselves! She was a great influence to all of us and one of the reasons why I have chosen to step up to the plate to be a voice and to fight to make it right for the people of Hawai’i!