Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 1985 — Hawaiians Urged to Work Together to Achieve Favorable Legislation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians Urged to Work Together to Achieve Favorable Legislation

By Pamela Brown Contributing Writer Striving for a better understanding of t he political process, approximately 140 persons attended workshops Aug. 24 and heard Lt. Governor John D. Waihee and U.S. Rep. Daniel K. Akaka urge them to work together for legislation favorable to the Hawaiian community. Called "The Political Process — Its Impact on the Hawaiian Community," the conference was sponsored by the Hawaiian Civic Political Action Committee (HACPAC), the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AOHCC), The Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate (KS/BE), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), Alu Like ine. and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), according to John Kamalani, HACPAC Chairman. "Everything we enjoy or suffer now is through the political process," Akaka said in the keynote address. "There was a pēriod when Hawaiians were very visible in politics. I'm proud to say that that time is coming back," said Akaka who was the first person of Hawaiian ancestry elected to Congress. Akaka related that "many people tell me there is no sense talking to you because it is not going to help. But, your preparedness casts a vote," emphasized Akaka. "If you ean influence that vote for your cause, then you have done a job. Your ietters, personal visits, petitions and letters-to-the editor al! make a difference on how he/she votes." Akaka also recommended using an organization to influenee an elected representative. He disclosed how difficult it is when many people eome to him with different opinions, as compared to a group with similar ideas. He gave several points in planning a legislative campaign:

• Have a specific goal to convey • Use media to spread the message • Make the cause resp>ectable • Stay ahead of the opposition and know address their position • Use holidays/ceremonies to put idea across • Come from a credible/active organization • Continue membership drive to irtcrease your strength • Write to matnland friends who ean write to their congressmen • Build an ongoing relationship with your representative. Waihee described the 100,000 Hawaiians who are registered OHA voters as "what a force! But this is only the beginning," he said. "There are thousands more who need to be invo!ved, not only for ourselves, but for all the people of Hawaii. "Promises to our young people are not being fulfilled," he said. "The best and brightest leave Hawaii for the mainland. Where are the opportunities to eome home? We must work together for the benefit of all. Do we participate, or give up our birthright?" he asked. s Waihee urged conference participants to help with the upcoming Voter Education and Registration campaign aimed at increasing voter participation in the OHA election and the General Election on November 4, 1986. Interested persons may eall Tomi Chong, telephone 548-3415. Highlighting the conference were workshops on Lobbying, Candidate Assessment, Political Campaigning, Legislative Process and Testimony and Resolution Writing to teach participants tools for political involvement. Giving the workshop on Lobbying were Sandra Lacar and Frank Chong, both from the Statewide Human Services Council; and Keith Fukuda of Lobby Associates. Fukuda said he would like to see a nucleus of people in the Hawaiian community develop into active lobbyists, and that he would serve on an advisory panel. The workshop on Candidate Assessment was given by Norma Wong, former state representative. She challenged anyone in the group to say that his/her vote does not count, revealing that she lost her last election by only 20 votes. She recommended that groups start now to formulate criteria on whieh to evaluate candidates and to begin having informal meetings with candidates now before platforms are written. This way, Hawaiian groups ean educate and influence the candidates. Conducting the workshop on Testimony and Resolution Writing was Clara Kakalia, formerly with the Attorney General's office. Van Diamond, Alu Like director of Eeonomie and Resource Development; and Harry Mattson, a political consultant with Mattson and Company, gave the workshops on Campaigning and the Legislative Process. An opportunity to continue developing concepts learned at this conference was offered' by Alu Like whieh will be scheduling a Legislative Process and Action Workshop this fall. Winona E. Rubin. Alu Like director, invited interested

persons to eall the public information office, telephone 521-9571. Joseph Lapilio III from the governor's office, called the conference most timely, noting the election of a new governor next year, bringing on a change in appointees and boards who deliver important services to the community. In addition, ahead are the legislative elections in 1986 and the State Constitutional Convention in 1988. Lapilio mentioned a panel representing the sponsoring organizations who spoke on ( 1) their organization's founding, (2) the poliheal issues whieh most effect their organization, and (3) what kind of help is needed from the community to

deal with these- issues. The panel was composed of Rubin; Fred Cachola, AOHCC Oahu board member; Georgiana Padeken, DHHL director; Neil Hannahs, KS/BE Director of Public Affairs; and Moses Keale, OHA trustee. All panelists called for unity among the Hawaiians and their organizations. Special guests attending the conference were Moanikeala Akaka, OHA trustee; Hartwell Blake, former Kauai mayor; Abraham Aiona, Maui Councilman; State Reps. Kina'u Kamali'i, Joseph Leong and Robert Lindsey; and Gard Kealoha and Joseph Kealoha, OHA trustees. Welcoming all to the conference was Benson Lee, AOHCC president.

Former State Rep. Norma Wong discusses a question with Aaron Oehi of the Bishop Estate, center, and Neil J. Hannahs.

Charles Rose and Patricia Brandt of the co-sponsoring Hawaiian Civic Political Action Committee bend willing ears to an explanation by State Rep. Kinau Kamalii.

Addressing participants attending the Hawaiian Civic PoliticaI Action Committee (HACPAC) conference at The Kamehameha Schools Aug. 24 were, from left to right, Fred Cachola, The Kamehameha Schools; Neil J. Hannahs, public affairs d»rector, The Kamehameha Schools; Georgiana Padeken, director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Moses Keale, trustee, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and Winona Rubin, director, Alu Like ine.