U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, D–Hawaii, appears to have been in Washington, D.C., just once since the start of the year. In 2022, he cast five votes in person. All of them were in January. Proxies were used to vote for him. Kahele blames COVID-19 as the reason he is absent from Congress. However, local media reports have him traveling around the islands to meet constituents and elected officials. He may also be preparing for his run for governor. Hawaiian Airlines also has him working as a pilot. According to a spokesperson, Kahele only takes occasional flights in order to keep his certificate valid.