Hawaii congressman in flap over piloting but voting remote during pandemic to retire: report

Hawaii Democratic Rep. Kai Kahele – who recently raised eyebrows over his remote voting while still commercial piloting – will retire from Congress at the end of his term, according to multiple news reports.

The congressman works for Hawaiian Airlines but has voted in-person in the Capitol less nearly all other House members during the pandemic, has reportedly been telling his colleagues that he intends to run for governor

It was previously reported that Kahele was planning a possible run for governor. He will make an announcement in May concerning his political future.

Kahele was elected in 2020 to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Kahele's office defended his arrangement with Hawaiian Airlines, saying it complied with the House Ethics rules.

Kahele has said he has not voted in-person since January because he is concerned about emerging coronavirus variants and resides in a multigenerational family home – though the continued to frequently fly passenger planes. 

The congressmen will join a list of more than 30 Democrat House members who will not run for 2022 reelection.