Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 11, 1 November 1990 — The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Election [ARTICLE]

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Election

Background The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was established by a 1978 Constitutional Amendment. The purpose of OHA is to "promote the betterment of conditions of Hawaiians." OHA is the pnneipal state agency whieh coordinates programs affecting Hawaiians. lt receives funding from the ceded lands public trust and general funding from the Legislature. OHA also receives grants and donations for Hawaiian programs and services; and serves as a trustee of possible reparations from the federal government. Election of OHA Trustees The OHA election is held every two years at the same time as the general election. This year the election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 6. This will be the sixth election for the OHA Board of Trustees. There are five seats to be filled in 1990. The trustees serve staggered four-year terms and are elected statewide. Of the five seats to be filled in this election, two have residency requirements. The trustees who represent O'ahu and Maui must reside on those islands. The remaining three trustee seats are "at-large" and candidates may live on any of the islands. However, all OHA voters may vote for a candidate in eaeh of the four OHA races, regardless of whether a candidate is running "at-large" or as a resident of a particular island. Voting requirements To vote in the OHA election, a person must be: • of Hawaiian ancestry

• a U.S. citizen • a resident of Hawai'i • age 18 or older Persons do not need to show proof of Hawaiian ancestry at the time of registration, but must sign an affidavit swearing and affirming that they are Hawaiian. If challenged, they must be able to prove they are Hawaiian. Challenges ean be made before election day by writing to the city/county clerk, or on electionday at the polling plaee. The OHA ballot All persons registered to vote in OHA elections will be issued an OHA ballot along with the regular election ballots. Important note: if for some reason, you do not receive a separate OHA ballot at your po!ling plaee, be sure to request one fromthe voter assistant. Absentee voting Persons who are unable to vote at their polling plaee on election day for any of the following reasons may do so by absentee ballot. Individuals who: 1. live in a remote area; 2. are home bound, institutionalized or disabled; 3. are absent from their county or district of residence; 4. are in prison for a misdemeanor or awaiting trial; 5. hold a conflicting religious belief. continued page 35 I

OHA Election /rom page 1 Walk-in absentee balloting is possible approximately 10 days before the OHA election. This is done at the city/county clerk's office. The absentee polling plaee is open during business hours on weekdays and in the morning on Saturdays. Applications for mail-in absentee ballots for the general election will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. Applications are available from the county clerk's office. For more information eall the state Voter Hotline at l-453-VOTE or eall the county clerk office on eaeh island.