Department of Human Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2026

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission proudly congratulates its Vice Chair, Michael Golojuch Jr. (he/him), on receiving the Visionary Legacy Award, a lifetime achievement honor presented by the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation.

Golojuch will be formally recognized on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation’s annual fundraiser, A Wickedly Gayla: Vision Without Limits, which celebrates leaders who have made transformative and lasting contributions to Hawaiʻi’s LGBTQ+ community.

“Michael’s leadership is nothing short of visionary,” the commission said in a joint statement. “From shaping policy to building community, he has dedicated his life to ensuring that LGBTQ+ people in Hawaiʻi are not only protected but empowered to thrive. This recognition is a testament to decades of tireless advocacy, coalition-building and unwavering commitment to justice.”

As an inaugural member of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission (2024–2027) and its current Vice Chair, Golojuch has played a central role in establishing the commission’s foundation and impact. He developed the commission’s social media presence, guided its legislative priorities, produced the inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol and launched the Rainbow Pau Hana: Queer Leadership Gathering to strengthen collaboration among LGBTQ+ leaders across Hawaiʻi. His dedication to visibility and community connection is exemplified by attending every Pride event statewide in 2025.

Beyond his work on the commission, Golojuch has spent more than two decades advancing LGBTQ+ rights, labor equity and civic engagement. He currently serves as president of Pride at Work – Hawaiʻi and vice president of the Hawaiʻi State AFL-CIO, where he champions the rights of LGBTQ+ workers. His longstanding leadership within the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, including his tenure as chair of the Stonewall Caucus, has helped institutionalize LGBTQ+ representation in political spaces and policymaking.

Golojuch’s advocacy has contributed to many of Hawaiʻi’s most significant civil rights milestones, including the passage of civil unions, marriage equality, protections based on gender identity, a ban on conversion therapy for minors and the establishment of the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission.

The Visionary Legacy Award recognizes individuals whose leadership has fundamentally shaped Hawaiʻi’s LGBTQ+ movement. Golojuch joins a distinguished group of past honorees, including Judge Daniel R. Foley, Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang, Supreme Court Justice Steven H. Levinson, Princess Abigail Kawānanakoa, Dr. David McEwan, Jack Law, Kelly Sanders and Representative Kim Coco Iwamoto.

“Vice Chair Golojuch’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Hawaiʻi’s progress,” the commission added. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and grateful for his continued leadership in building a more just and inclusive Hawaiʻi for all.”

About the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission

The Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission works to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other diverse communities across the state by advancing equity, inclusion and policy development.

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Media Contact:
Jerron Oyama
Communications Specialist
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services
Phone: 808-586-4892

Email: [email protected]