Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 10, 1 October 2002 — Our future depends on your vote [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Our future depends on your vote

How many times have I heard, "I don't vote because nothing changes." If you don't vote and ihe same people get into office - ihen nothing changes. If you don't vote ihen you are part of ihe apathy that has caused a decline in voter turnout. If you don't vote ihen you are eithar cynieal against government or you are satisfied with ihe way things are gomg. Our country is in a state of emergency and so is our state. Almost all elective offices are open for incumbents or new faces. Redistricting has occurred. It takes a little homework on your part to see who is ihe best candidate for political office.

Pay attention to ihe polls. Use ihem as a tool, not as gospel. Analyze how a particular race is going. What are ihe strengths and weaknesses of eaeh candidate? Check to see whieh candidates attended forums on Hawaiian affairs. Who was conspicuously absent? What were their views? Did they support Hawaiian issues? Where do they stand on ceded land issues? I told you in ihe past that ihe Native Hawaiian voting population in Hawaii is numbered at 1 57,685 or 66 percent of ihe total Native Hawaiian population. Wilh this sizeable voting bloc, you possess ihe potential to influence what happens in our State over the next four years and beyond.

To vote is pono. Not to vote is pa'ewa. Be 'onipa'a inyoursearch for ihe candidates who will promote

Hawaiian issues. Give your kako'o to ihe ones who will. Voting is an essential part of donocracy. It is important to vote to show your sup-

port for ihe political process and ihe political system. A system of government by ihe people is legitimate only to the extent that people participate. Forty years ago, Honolulu Advertiser columnist, Bob Krause wrote ihe following: "Hawai'i is a plaee that is owned by ihe Chinese, run by ihe J apanese, enj oyed by ihe tourists and ihe Hawaiians, they remember how it was" This eleetion is our ehanee to change ihe political atmosphere of Hawai'i for political, eeonomie and justice for Hawaiians. Vote for candidates that have ihe aloha spirit within their hearts - if they do not - they are without. To build a beloved nation - register, and get out and vote. ■

To vote is pono. Not to vote is pa 'ewa. Be 'oni - pa 'a in your search for the candidates who will promote Ha waiian issues.

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Donald Cataluna Tiustee, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau