Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 5, 1 Mei 1985 — HACPAC Makes lmpact in Politics [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HACPAC Makes lmpact in Politics

It was the first of its kind and organizers of a "Meet Your Legis!ators" evening Mar. 14 at the St. Louis Alumni Clubhouse were happy with the results. "At least we did it and now we're off and running. I'd like to feel we made an impact," declared John Kamalani, second vice chairman of the co-sponsoring Hawaiian Civic Political Action Committee (HACPAC), an off-shoot of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

More than 100 Hawaiians from civic clubs and various other Hawaiian organizations met and talked with several legislators who took time out from their busy session schedules to meet with this segment of the voting community. FiACPAC was especially visible at the last session of the legislature, talking with various lawmakers, presenting testimony and sitting on top of measures affecting Hawaiian issues. The organization, established in 1979, did not get active in the loeal political arena until last year when Walter V. (Rusty) Rodenhurst III became its chairman. He reorganized the group, conducted a membership drive, regrouped those already on the rolls and injected lots of new blood to meld it into an active, visible and moving force.

A recent outgrowth of Rodenhurst's energy was the publication of "Ka Ikena," a newsletter informing the Hawaiian community of what's going on at the legislature. The publication has been well received by politicians, community leaders and government and private officials. Resolution passed at the 1984 civic club convention in Hilo were also introduced at the legislature and HACPAC lobbyist monitored their status and presented testimony. A surprising number of neighbor island legislators were among those in attendance at the Mar. 14 function. Lt. Gov. John David Waihee III eame early and remained to almost the very end, enjoying himself with the many kupuna in attendance.

There were no speeches except for acknowledgments by Kamalani, entertainment, music and dancing and lots of kaukau and beverage. Those in attendance had their ehoiee of legislators and took advantage of the opportunity, talking op>enly with many of them. In addition to the lieutenant governor, other legislators observed mixing with the crowd were Sen. Malama Solomon, Reps. Robert Lindsey and Andrew Levin, all of Hawaii; Reps. Mark Andrews and Herbert Honda, Maui; Oahu Sen. Clayton Hee and Rep. Joseph Souki. In addition to HACPAC, others co-sponsoring the event were the Hawaiian Business/Professional Association and

the Oahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs headed by H.K. Bruss Keppeler. Benson Lee is AHCC president.

Maui Reps. Mark Andrews (standing) and Herbert Honda sign in at St. Louis Alumni Clubhouse function.

That's Hawaii Sen. Malama Solomon talking with Sharlene Grace of The Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate public affairs office. Beaming in background is John Kamalani, new HACPAC chairman.