Most people don't see many similarities between rural Iowa and the Hawaii islands.

But Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard told the crowd Wednesday at a forum sponsored by AARP and the Des Moines Register that they're the same in some ways.

Gabbard, a U.S. House member from Hawaii, said a lack of infrastructure — especially broadband — is an issue both in the mountains of Hawaii and the farmlands of the Midwest.

"There’s a lot of parallels here between our chain of islands in Hawaii and rural communities here in Iowa in facing some of these challenges with the advances of technology," she said.

Advancing technology for rural Americans through national investment in infrastructure is one way to help rural communities across the country, she and others say. Gabbard said she supports federal investment in both broadband and satellite technology to better reach households currently without internet.

"There are so many opportunities folks who are under-served with don’t have good connection to the internet or any connection at all are not able to access," Gabbard said.

Robin Opsahl covers political trends for the Register. Reach them at ropsahl@registermedia.com or 515-284-8051. Support reporters who follow your government by becoming a subscriber. Sign up at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.