Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 9, 1 September 1994 — Why we should vote [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Why we should vote

by A. Frenchy DeSoto Trustee-at-Iarge Q: Why should J vote? A: You should vote because: 1. You only have yourself to blame if someone who does not share your poini of view gets elected, thereby making it extremely difficult to get legislation passed lhat benefits our people. 2. Hawaiians have not exercised their ability to hui eollee-

tively to achieve any measurable success in the Legislature. 3. Participation by voting is crucial to exercising one's elaim to self-deter-minalion and destiny. 4. Voting at all levels of government, whether it be eom-

munity associations, State ratic nalion.

Council of H a w a i i a n Homestead Associations (SCHHA), Alu Like, ine., cily councils, OHA, state and federal offices. prepares us all for the eventual sovereign and democ-

5. Now, more than ever before, Hawaiians must register and vote. Enough already, with the excuses! Register and vote! Getting to know your candidate is important. What are their views on sovereignty? Native rights? Birth righls? Stolen ceded lands? Hawaiian homelands? Education, housing, culture? Nā iwi o nā kūpuna? Rainforest preservation versus geothermal devel-

opment? You already have the mana to make a difference. Use it wisely to ensure pono. Without your vote, you ultimately let others, whom you māy not agree with, make lifēaltering decisions for you. What you think, what you feel and what you want for yourself and ihe future, begins with one vote.