Many of us raised in Hawaii have heard our parents and kupuna share stories about their upbringing.

Those stories include immigration, adversity, hard work and challenging times.

But often their reflections conclude with a reminder to us of just how hard generations before have worked so that we could enjoy the fruits of their success.

Election years often encourage voters to reflect on the status of our state and nation. What have generations before us done to contribute to the greatness — or grave errors — of our country? What choices must we make today to ensure our island state can remain unique, beautiful and prosperous?

In Hawaii, much like the nation, many of us are frustrated. Government at all levels can’t seem to solve our toughest problems.

Hawaii has the highest homeless rates in the country and they continue to rise even though the national rates are falling.

Average home costs pushing $700,000, the exorbitant cost of living and limited job opportunities are the drivers of our homelessness crisis.

The hopeful life our parents and grandparents envisioned is stifled by day-to-day obstacles like traffic, health care costs and living paycheck to paycheck. We wonder if the opportunities that generations before us have worked so hard for are ever going to be attainable.

As a young Hawaii conservative looking for someone to represent my party and my country, I recognized that out of all the candidates in the field, Marco Rubio’s hope for our state and nation is much like my own.

Marco believes that where you come from should not determine how far you go. He believes in common decency, the resilience of the American people, and in causes greater than ego or personal agenda. Marco understands the struggles that are facing America’s working families today because he actually lived through those struggles himself. He only recently finished paying off his student loans. As a result, he has some of the most rigorous and innovative higher education reform plans of all presiden- tial candidates. His plans focus on making college streamlined, more affordable and more accessible to students.

Marco advocates common-overnment to work with us, not against us.

A new $2,500 per child tax credit would help working parents keep more of their money and acknowledges the important investment of raising children.

He will keep government from stifling our generation’s most innovative ideas like Uber and Lyft.

He understands the best way to create jobs and opportunities is to make America the best place in the world to do business. These are the kind of innovation-friendly and forward- thinking policies we need in our economy.

I hope that Hawaii families who are looking for a leader who can help make Hawaii more affordable and more innovative can see the same hopeful future that I do with Marco Rubio.

And that is really what this election is all about: What kind of country are we going to be in the 21st century?

Republicans will caucus on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., and we expect a record turnout (see www.gophawaii.com).

Too many of us are wondering if our generation will be able to achieve the dreams our parents and grandparents dreamt for us. It will require new leadership and bold reform built for the 21st century — and Marco is the person we need to help us achieve that.