Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 6, 1 Iune 1998 — Participate in elections as candidates, as voters [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Participate in elections as candidates, as voters

ALOHA MAI. e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i. In this 1 6th article in a series of 46, I would first like to congratulate all 57 OHA beneficiaries who responded to the eall for interim trustee applicants: Aiona, Akaka, Akana, Akau, Amaral. Apo, Beirne, Benham. Bush, Cabanas. Cachola, Crabbe, Davilla. DeFries, DeRego, Dowd, Downs, Goodrich, Hao, Heen, Kahoonei, Kalua. Kama, Kama, Kamali'i, Kamalu, Kamauoha, Kamau'u, Kaohokalole, Kimura. Lau, Lee, Lee, Lum, Martin, Maxwell, Mika, Nahale'ā, Nahoopii, Nalua'i, Nary, Noa. Patterson, Raymond, Rosario, Sabey, Simeona, Silva, Stewart, Stone, Thompson, Trask, Trask, Vaughan, Vincent, Watson, and Wong. Of these, 44 applicants. whose names are bolded above, appeared personally to tell trustees how they would contribute to the mission of OFLA as interim trustee. These 44 beneficiaries expressed themselves and represented their 'ohana, their ancestors, and Native Hawaiians in the spirit of dignity, humility and service. Their ideas reflected a tapestry of their

upbringing, values and philosophy,work experiences, education, and life choices. Despite, the contrasts in age, background and motivation, the consistent message expressed by the 44 whn rnmp fn talk tn

trustees was their desire to serve, the desire to make a difference for Native Hawaiians and Hawai'i. Eaeh defined himself/herself as an "instrument of service" concerned for our future Hawai'i. At this writing, the interim at-large seat has been filled and the Maui vacancy is in the process of bein filled. Beneficiaries who were motivated to step forward in March 1 998 should not for-

sake their demonstrated objective to make a difference for Native Hawaiians and Hawai'i. Native Hawaiians are impacted by public policies made in a variety of arena at loeal, state and federal levels.

This is the year to select policy makers at these levels. This year presents an

extreme opportunity if one is ready to risk the challenge. Election contests in September and November include all nine County of Hawai'i eouneil seats; County of Maui mayor and all nine eouneil seats; County of Kaua'i mayor

ana all seven eouneu seats; all nine City and County of Honolulu eouneil seats; six of 13 Board of Education seats, five within the City and County of Honolulu (three with no district residency, one for central O'ahu, one for windward O'ahu) and one eaeh within the counties of Hawai'i, Maui and Kaua'i (one for Maui residency). There will be a special election to fill five of nine Office of Hawaiian Affairs seats (three with no island residency, one for O'ahu, one for Maui). State offices to

be filled include all seats in the house of representatives (Districts 1- 51); 13 of 25 senate seats (Districts 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23); lieutenant governor; governor. Voters will also choose two Congression-

al representatives (District I and District E) and one U. S. senator. The filing deadline is July 21 for the primary election and Sept. 4 for the OHA election. The primary is Sept. 9 and the general eleehon is Nov. 3. The election of competent, principled and hardworking candidates to office is only one side of the equation. The other side requires registered voters who are informed and follow through by marking their ballot and casting their votes. Past election statistics tell us that in 1996 the general population of voting age numbered 877,200 and the Hawaiian population of voting age numbered 1 1 8,907. However, out of the 1 18,907 Hawaiians ehgible, only 87,298 registered to vote, leaving 31,648 Hawaiians not registered. Of the 87,298 Hawaiians registered to vote only 52, 1 02 turned out to vote, leaving 35,169 who, although registered, chose not to vote. In 1996 the general populahon voter-turnout was 68 percent; Hawaiian voter-turnout was 59.7 percent. Hawaiian voters who vote will make a significant difference in all elections. Apply the lessons of the 1996 elections to 1998, whether as candidate or voters. Plan early, identify roles and objectives, organize the network, implement the tasks and focus, focus, focus. ■ -

Vice-chairperson ' s m e s s a g e

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