Category: Democratic Party of Hawai‘i

Standing Together: Join Us Friday, 9/25 for ʻOnipaʻa

Aloha Hawaiian Affairs Caucus,

As we head into the final weeks before the General Election, I want to personally invite you to join us this Friday for our HAC ʻOnipaʻa Fundraiser – Her Legacy, Our Future.

ʻOnipaʻa — steadfast, firm, unmovable — carries special meaning for us. During Hawaiian History Month, we gather in honor of Queen Liliʻuokalani, whose courage, dignity, and unwavering aloha for her people continue to inspire us.

Her example reminds us that leadership is not only about the challenges immediately before us, but about remaining grounded in our values and accepting our kuleana to those who will come after us. 

That message feels especially important in today’s world.

Election seasons can bring differences of opinion, strong feelings, and spirited debate.

But as members of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, there is far more that unites us than divides us. We share a responsibility to ensure Native Hawaiian voices are heard, the issues affecting our lāhui remain part of the political conversation, and Hawaiian values such as aloha, kuleana, mālama ʻāina, and pono continue to have a meaningful place within the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi.

Friday evening allows us to come together around that shared purpose.

The funds we raise will support the Caucus’s advocacy and outreach, help us prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2027, and support the broader work of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi.

More importantly, your participation helps build a stronger Caucus. One that can educate, organize, advocate, and show up when our community needs its voice heard.

Kahu Makuakāne of Kawaiahaʻo Church will also join us as we reflect upon and honor Queen Liliʻuokalani’s extraordinary legacy.

Honoring our Queen means remembering her example and carrying it forward.

Event Details:

HAC ʻOnipaʻa Fundraiser – Her Legacy, Our Future

Friday, September 25 | 5:00–8:30 p.m.

801 South Street, Meeting Room A

Parking: Enter Garage A from Kawaiahaʻo Street. Park on Floors 10 and 11.

Check in: After parking, take the elevator down to the lobby floor and check in at the security desk. Let them know you are here for Meeting Room A.

Attire: Aloha or Business Casual 

I hope you will join us Friday for an evening of fellowship, reflection, and renewed commitment to the work we share. ʻOnipaʻa kākou.

Me ke aloha pumehana,

Mokihana Maldonado, Chair

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi


ʻOnipaʻa – Her Legacy, Our Future

ʻOnipaʻa – Her Legacy, Our Future 

HAC Report: 2026 Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Convention

Read HAC’s full report on the 2026 Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Convention, submitted by Leimomi Khan. The report covers the election of new Party Chair Makai Freitas, key committee actions (including a significant Rules Committee amendment on midterm vacancy recusal), resolutions of interest to the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, and a recap of HAC’s convention workshop, “Understanding the Political Relationship of Native Hawaiians.” It also includes a draft resolution on federal recognition and next steps for protecting Native Hawaiian programs.

HAC Report on DPH 2026 Convention

Hawaiian Affair Caucus – Policy & Planning Special Committee Report

The Policy & Planning Special Committee (“Committee”) respectfully submits the proposed 2026 General Revision of the Bylaws (“2026 General Revision”) of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus (“HAC”) of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and recommends that the Executive Committee approve the proposed 2026 General Revision for submission to the HAC General Membership for consideration and ratification.

The current bylaws (“2018 Bylaws”) were amended by the HAC General Membership on February 15, 2018 and ratified by the State Central Committee on March 24, 2018.

Hawaiian_Affairs_Caucus-General_Revision-2026

HAC_Committee_Report_2026 General_Revision

Special General Membership Meeting of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Special General Membership Meeting of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus – Democratic  Party of Hawaii on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 7:00 p.m.The meeting will be held virtually with the Zoom information below.

The Agenda for this meeting will be a discussion around the support of DPH Chair Jung.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86861244048?pwd=W6rLctKUQFskEYxntPd79XbaRCEV9W.1
Meeting ID: 868 6124 4048
Passcode: 273461
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Meeting ID: 868 6124 4048
Passcode: 273461

General Membership Meeting: February

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus-General Membership Meeting

Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 10:00 am

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81094102261

Proposed Agenda

  1. Pule Wehe
  2. Roll Call
  3. Secretary’s Report
  4. President’s Report
    1. Legislative Bills-Coordination with priorities of OHA, DHHL, CNHA, Hawaiian Caucus at Leg, AOHCC
    2. Educational forums to empower Hawaiians in politics
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Standing Committee Reports
    1. Legislation-Mona Bernardino
      1. Template
      2. Land: Lei Kihoi & Benton Pang, Leimomi Khan
      3. Housing: Pohai Ryan & Ken Farm
      4. Health & socio economic: Chair Kawamoto & Kaimo Muhlestein
    2. Finance-No report
    3. Outreach and Membership
  7. SCC Rep Report
  8. Unfinished Business
  9. New Business
    1. Elections-March meeting
      1. Nominations committee-Mona Bernardino, chair
    2. Educational forums-Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego, chair
      1. Hawaiian candidate leaders
      2. OHA candidates
      3. Mauna Kea
  10. Closing Pule
  11. Adjournment

Next Meeting: General Membership on March 16 at 6pm

via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86364658012

Is a Hawaiian Nation Feasible for Native Hawaiians?

 

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus logo

THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAI‘I
PRESENTS A TWO-DAY EDUCATIONAL FORUM on NATIONHOOD

(Honolulu, Hawaii, 24 Nov. 2021). Hawaiians are the only indigenous group in the United States that does not have political sovereignty. Are Hawaiians capable of self-governance? And if so, what kind of Hawaiian Nation is feasible for Native Hawaiians?

Prominent Hawaiians, expert in “Nationhoodʻ for Hawaiians will speak on this very important subject affecting both Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian residents of Hawaii and the U.S.

This virtual event, sponsored by the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, Democratic Party of Hawaii, will take place on Wed. December 1 at 6 pm, and Thur., December 2 at 6 pm.

Federal Recognition / Nation Within a Nation

December 1st at 6 pm

REGISTER HERE

FEATURING:

Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa, Ph.D.-Professor Kamakakūokalani Ctr for Hawaiian Studies

Robin Danner, Chair of the Sovereignty Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations

QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS

Independent Hawaiian Nation

December 2nd, 6 pm

REGISTER HERE

Keanu Sai, Ph.D. Founding member of the Hawaiian Society of Law and Politics

Edmund Keliʻi Paki-Silva Jr. – Federal judge for the Aniyvwiya Cherokee Nation

QUESTIONS FROM THE VIEWERS

MODERATED BY Juanita Kawamoto Brown, HAC CHAIR

With An Introduction by Melodie Aduja

Commentators: Lei Kihoi, Esq. and Mona Bernardino, Esq.

This event will be streamed LIVE via the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Facebook Group Page (link) and Youtube Page (link) (speakers subject to change)

Brought to you by the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus,
Juanita Mahiʻenaʻena Brown Kawamoto, Chair

HAC Educational Forum, HB499

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Educational Forum,
HB499 – Wednesday, June 2 at 6:00PM

THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAI‘I

PRESENTS AN EDUCATIONAL FORUM on HB 499,
RELATING TO LEASE EXTENSIONS ON PUBLIC LAND

The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus and many Native Hawaiian organizations are opposed to this bill.

Hoʻoholo a i ʻole Hoʻopunipuni

“Progress or Pretense”

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 6pm

Video Archive:

REGISTER ON ZOOM (link)

FEATURING:

HISTORICAL INFO ON THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST: MELODY MACKENZIE

NATIVE HAWAIIAN PANEL OPPOSING HB499:  GOVERNOR JOHN WAIHEE

SUMMER SYLVA – NATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORPORATION

OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS

SPEAKERS IN SUPPORT OF HB499:  
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID A. TARNAS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE:  NATIVE HAWAIIAN PANEL OPPOSING HB499

MODERATED BY MONA BERNARDINO, HAC LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

To read HB499, click this link.

This event will be streamed live via the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Facebook Group Page (link).

Call or write Governor Ige requesting that he veto this bill:  Phone 586-0034 or click on Seal below or use the link: https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/comments-on-legislation/

Legislative Advocacy: Empowering Your Voice!

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Logo

INVITES YOU TO A PRESENTATION ON

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY:
EMPOWERING YOURVOICE!

February 1, Monday, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

GUEST SPEAKER:VIRGINIA BECK
PUBLIC ACCESS COORDINATOR
PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM
HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE

Click to download a PDF of the flier

The Presentation will cover such topics ashow to get a committee chair to hear abill, find bills, track them, and writetestimony. Ms. Beck will also cover the”Measure Tracking List,” an excellentresource. The scheduled 1.5 hours allowfor the presentation and questions andanswers. Feel free to invite others.

General Membership Jan. 27

DHHL gaming flier
Click to download a PDF version of this flier.

January 27, 2021

DHHL PRESENTATION ON
CASINO LEGISLATION

FOLLOWED BY
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

https://vimeo.com/507297782

VIRTUAL MEETING LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7222479739
Meeting ID: 722 247 9739

BY PHONE:
+16699009128,.7222479739# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,. 72224 79739# US (Tacoma)

JAN 27TH – AGENDA

6:00 p.m.

Presentation by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on the legislative proposal to allow Limited Casino Gaming on Hawaiian Home Lands followed by Q&A with Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman William J. Aila, Jr.

7:00 p.m.

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus General Membership Meeting

••same link for both••

Ho‘okuikahi Unity – O‘ahu Democrats Unite Together

Here is high-resolution videoo, ‘Ho‘okuikahi – Unity – Celebrating O‘ahu’s Democratic Candidates Unite Together’ shown at today’s Zoom event.

https://vimeo.com/445731811

O'ahu Democrats Post-Primary Election Unity Event
O’ahu Democrats Post-Primary Election Unity Event. Sunday, August 9, 2020, 5:00 p.m.
Meeting details:

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 770 8251 5179
Passcode: 031560
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ZOOM HOST:  Joe Francher

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