Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1998 — Focus on 1998, 1999 and the year 2000 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Focus on 1998, 1999 and the year 2000

ALOHA NUT kākou e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i a me ka hau'oli makahiki hou. This eleventh article in my series of 46 provides the opportunity to focus our attention on 1998, the year ahead of us, 1999 and the tum of the century in the year 2000. Directive 15 and the Year 2000 Census At this writing, I am on my way to Washington D.C. to attend the fall meeting of the Census Bureau Joint Advisory Committees for the Year 2000. This is the first scheduled meet-

ing of the four Census 2000 Advisory Committees since the Office of Management and Budget decision on their Policy Directive 15, whieh established the new classification of "Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders." Directive 15 must now be implement- , ed by all federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. The immediate effect will be seen in the development of the Year 2000 Census auestionnaire

whieh will undergo pilot testing in 1998. I will provide an update of the Census Bureau meeting in my Febmary eolumn. Native Hawaiians and the Legislature This January issue of Ka Wai Ola highUghts fīve bills to be introduced by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to the 1998 legislature. These measures are part of the OHA 1998 Legislative package approved by the Boaid of Trustees. The Legislative and Govemmental Affairs Committee of the Board of Tmstees continues to meet to complete other initiatives under considera-

tion. The legislature convenes on the third Wednesday in January; the date this year is Jan. 21. Two days later, Jan. 23, is the deadline for "unlimited bill introduction," after whieh a "five-bill-per-day limit" is imposed. By the fourth Friday in January, bill introduction ceases. The legislature is only required to post notice of hearings on bills 48 hours in advance. This short time frame will require close and coordinated networking among all interested parties. Native Hawaiians and Elections

The voice of Native Hawaiians will be echoed : in the choices made through our votes. Voter registration, voter education and voting in 1998, as in every year when eleehon choices occur, are : very important and indeed | ean make the difference. Native Hawaiians should never feel that their vote does not count. The choices made by voters in j county, state, special and j nahonal elections are crit- j ieal if improvements are tocome. Theystartone

voter at a time, one mformed voter at a time. Make a Diff erence: • Call OHA's Govemment Affairs Office j at 594-1946 to leam more about issues. • Talk with others to leam their opinions. : • Talkwith senators, representatives and j OHA trustees to let them know your mana'o. • Express your mana'o at OHA board, committee and community meetings. • Testify at the legislature or eall or fax legislators your testimony on bills. • Register to vote - and vote. He 'onipa'aka 'oia'i'o. ■ I

TRUSTEE MESSAGES

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