University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna Christy Wagner has excelled for more than 10 years in several professional positions in Washington, D.C. Recently, the Hawaiʻi Island native has taken on her most challenging position yet—chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, who is also a UH Mānoa graduate.
Wagner’s start in the nation’s capital began with a UH Mānoa internship from the Mānoa Political Internship Program (MPIN) in the College of Social Sciences. She was part of the first cohort of political interns that went to Washington, D.C. in 2010 and completed her internship with the House Armed Services Committee.
“I’ve always been interested in foreign policy and defense issues so this internship was a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to get exposure to the policy areas that I was interested in, but also exposure to our nation’s capital,” Wagner said.
After completing her internship and earning her bachelor’s degree in political science and certificate in peace and conflict resolution, Wagner remained in Washington, D.C., and served in various positions including as a legislative director, senior defense and foreign policy advisor, special assistant for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs at the Pentagon, military legislative assistant and acting chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts.
In late 2020, Wagner was selected as chief of staff for newly-elected U.S. Rep. Kahele. Her duties include managing a team that supports Kahele in his Washington, D.C. office, as well as working with leaders across all Hawaiian islands.
Born on Oʻahu and a graduate of Waiākea High School in Hilo, Wagner said, “It’s an incredible opportunity to work for my hometown member of Congress in this role and really get to serve the people of Hawaiʻi.”
Historic events at the U.S. Capitol
In just a few months, Wagner witnessed firsthand a wide range of events, including Kahele’s historic remarks on the house floor raising awareness for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).
“Watching that in our offices was just so inspiring and I felt so honored to be part of a team and to be working for a member of Congress who is going to be representing not only his own community, the Native Hawaiian community, but all people of Hawaiʻi,” Wagner said. “It has been a unique time to set up a new office in the middle of an insurrection, an impeachment vote that happened in January, all in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s certainly been challenging, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
Christy Wagner’s ties to UH extend beyond the MPIN program. Her father is former UH Football Coach Bob Wagner, who led UH to its first two NCAA-sanctioned bowl games.
Mānoa Political Internship Program
MPIN is offering full- and part-time internship opportunities for fall 2021. These internships are educational and professional experiences for students to learn about the inner workings of government. Full-time internships are available at Hawaiʻi Congressional offices in Washington, D.C., Hawaiʻi Judiciary, Hawaiʻi lieutenant governor’s office and Hawaiʻi governor’s office. Part-time internships are available at Hawaiʻi Congressional offices on Oʻahu.
A minimum sophomore standing is required for part-time internships and a minimum junior standing is required for full-time internships. All applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Participants may receive stipends, course credits and scholarships.
The application deadline is March 15. For more information on how to apply, visit the MPIN website.
This program is an example of UH Mānoa’s goal of Enhancing Student Success (PDF), one of four goals identified in the 2015–25 Strategic Plan (PDF), updated in December 2020.
—By Marc Arakaki
