Talk Story About Voting OHA

Talk Story About Voting OHA

Meeting details:
Join Zoom Meeting:  OCC/OHA Talk Story August 2, 2020
6:00 PM,  5:30 PM Check-in
Meeting ID: 763 7061 5633
Passcode: 847643
One tap mobile
+17209289299,,76370615633#,,,,,,0#,,847643# US (Denver)
+19712471195,,76370615633#,,,,,,0#,,847643# US (Portland)
Dial by your location
        +1 720 928 9299 US (Denver)
        +1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)
        +1 206 337 9723 US (Seattle)
        +1 213 338 8477 US (Los Angeles)
ZOOM HOST:   Aaron Isgar
Instructions for Joining the Zoom Meeting
Everyone
  • Read the sections below that apply to you.
  • Try to join the meeting 10-15 minutes early to confirm your connection.
  • If you need help, see the troubleshooting resources below.
If you plan to call in using a phone line (land or mobile)
  • Dial in using one of the numbers in the meeting details below. We are sorry we are unable to offer a toll free number at this time.
  • When prompted, use your dial pad to enter the meeting ID number below.
If you have joined a Zoom meeting before (using an app)
If you have never used Zoom before (using an app)
Troubleshooting

Leimomi Khan Appointed 2020 Democratic Party of Hawaii Oʻahu County Council State Central Committee Female Representative

Ho'omaika'i Leimomi Letter
Download a PDF of this letter.

June 28, 2020

Aloha Leimomi,

I know I speak for all members of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus in congratulating you on your appointment as the 2020 Democratic Party of Hawaii Oʻahu County Council State Central Committee Female Representative. Your ability to lead our Hawaiian democrats has been truly remarkable. You are inspiring a new generation of Hawaiians to serve and lead with Aloha, Kuleana, Hōʻihi, ʻOluʻolu, and Lokomaikaʻi.

Hoʻomaikaʻi!

Juanita Brown Kawamoto signature
Juanita Brown Kawamoto Pelekikena
Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Democratic Party of Hawai’i

HAC Chair Encourages Hawaiians Apply for Senate Representative Positions to SCC

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus logo

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Chair Encourages Native Hawaiians to Apply for Senate District 2, 14, 17, and 25 Representative Positions to the State Central Committee.

Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Juanita Mahi‘ena‘ena Brown Kawamoto and I am the Luna Ho‘omalu for the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i. I am sending a kāhea to all Native Hawaiian Democrats in:
Senate Districts 2 –  Hawaii Island, Kea‘au to Pāhoa
Senate District 14 – Liliha/Kapālama to Nina
Senate District 17 – Pearl City to Waipahū
Senate District 25 – Hawai‘i Kai to Waimānalo
The lau kanaka are in need of your leadership and service to inspire, inform and lead our communities to rise with aloha! The State Central Committee of the Democratic. Party of Hawai‘i is looking for leaders to come and help our people in these districts to work with these communities and help us understand what matters to the people of these moku as Senate District State Central Committee members.
In the past, I have had the honor and pleasure of representing the Environmental Caucus as Chair and SCC female representative, served as the O‘ahu County Council SCC female representative and now wishing to serve as an SCC member in my district where my ‘ohana live and thrive. I can speak from experience, to all who would serve, if you really want to see how our Democratic Party works and how you can be a voice for the many thousands of democrats who support the leadership of governance of our party, I highly recommend you sit and talk with your ohana and friends about getting involved to help make Hawai‘i nei a better place and live for today and tomorrow’s generations by becoming a State Central Committee member of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.
What is the SCC and what is the responsibility of an SCC member?  Read the Constitution of the DPH @ hawaiidemocrats.org to get a good understanding of the power and duties of the SCC members.
State Central Committee Members or often called the “SCC” discuss, debate and support the greater lahui regarding important decisions on behalf of their Senate Districts or Caucuses of the  DPH. The SCC representatives for each Senate District elects 2 representatives – (1) Non gender male and  (1) Non gender female, in some cases a (1) male and (1) female from the designated District. Senate District SCC members are elected at every DPH State Convention. The SCC representatives for the Districts are elected by the delegates as they are designated by the bylaws of the DPH. The process is organized in a manner where becoming a SCC member requires party members to truly be active and serve their district, county and Caucus DPH members.
“Kūlia I ka nu‘u!” – Strive to reach the highest! – as passionately stated by our beloved, Queen Kapi‘olani Napelakapuokaka‘e and hānai mother to David Kawānanakoa – founding member of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.
Me ka mana‘o nui,
Juanita Brown Kawamoto signature
Juanita Mahi‘ena‘ena Brown Kawamoto
Luna Ho‘omalu
Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Democratic Party of Hawaii Banner
APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR
SENATE DISTRICT SCC POSITIONS IN SD2, 14, 17, AND 25

Aloha Democrats!

The following positions did not have a candidate filing as of the deadline:

    • SD 2 – NOT identifying as a male
    • SD 14
    • SD 17 – NOT identifying as a female
    • SD 25 – NOT identifying as a male

As per the byaws Article V, Section 2A, the deadline has been extended through July 1, 2020.

PLEASE use the SCC Senatorial District eForm to file if you are interested in serving.

PLEASE pay your $10 Filing Fee.

Article V, Section 2. Nomination and Filing.

2A. Any citizen resident in the State of Hawai‘i, who is or will be a member of the Democratic election to Party Chairperson. Any citizen residing in the State of Hawai‘i who wishes to Party of Hawai‘i for one (1) year before the next election shall be eligible to be a candidate for election to Party Chairperson. Any citizen residing in the State of Hawai‘i who wishes to become a candidate for election to Party Chairperson or for election to the State Central Committee shall file a nomination paper with the Secretary of said County or the State Central Committee at least twenty (20) days prior to the State Convention, except that papers for the County Representative seats shall be filed at least ten (10) days prior to the County Convention, and except that papers for the Caucus Representative seats shall be filed after certification by the Caucus, but at least twenty (20) days prior to the State Convention. In the event that no papers have been filed by the filing deadline, the filing deadline shall be extended until ten (10) days prior to the State Convention. However, no additional nomination papers shall be allowed for those positions for which papers had been filed by the filing deadline. If a member has resigned from the Party in the two (2) years prior to re-enrollment in the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the re-enrolled member must be a member in good standing for at least one (1) year before the next election prior to being elected Party Chairperson or for election to the State Central Committee.

To the ‘Ohana of the Late Senator Breene Harimoto

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus logo

June 20, 2020

The Office of the Late
Senator Breene Harimoto
senharimoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
State Capitol
Honolulu, Hawai‘i

To the ‘Ohana of the Late Senator Breene Harimoto,

“Luʻuluʻu Hawaii nei ka ua nui, kaumaha i ka noe o Alakaʻi.”

Hawaii is downcast with great rains, with mists of Alakaʻi.

The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i offers our deepest condolences and sympathy to the ‘ohana of the Late Senator Breene Harimoto. Senator Harimoto was truly a Keiki o ka ‘Āina, his commitment to protecting the environment and the people of Hawai‘i provided a great legacy  for Hawai’i’s future generations.

Na Iehowa ‘oe e ho’omaika’i mai,

Juanita Brown Kawamoto signature
Juanita Brown Kawamoto
Pelekikena
Hawaiian Affairs Caucus
Democratic Party of Hawai’i

DPH: Upcoming eConvention Deadlines

Sunday, June 21, 2020 – Deadline for candidate filing for the following positions:

Note: These forms are e-forms that can be found on the 2020 Forms page at hawaiidemocrats.org

Sunday, June 21, 2020 – Deadline for District Councils to elect State Convention Delegates for any remaining openings.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020 – Deadline for 2020 DPH State eConvention:

Note: These forms are links that can be found on the State Convention 2020 page at hawaiidemocrats.org

Please note that you DO NOT need to be a State Delegate to run for any of the positions listed above. Click here for the responsibilities of the National Committeewoman/man, State Party Chair, and SCC Senatorial District Representatives.

15-minute video that explains the upcoming Party elections. Click here to watch.

Results of the 2020 DPH Party-Run Presidential Primary

DPH masthead

Results of the 2020 DPH
Party-run Presidential Primary

Aloha,

We know you have all been awaiting the results of the Party-run Presidential Primary for Hawaiʻi. Using ranked-choice voting this is how the Hawaiʻi Democrats expressed their presidential preference:

Congressional District 1:

Biden – 9,315 / 63.7%

Sanders – 4,716 / 32.3%

Exhausted Ballots – 552 / 3.8%

Spoiled Ballots – 30 / 0.2%

Total Ballots Cast – 14,613

Congressional District 2:

Biden – 11,900 / 58.2%

Sanders – 7,621 / 37.3%

Exhausted Ballots – 872 / 4.3%

Spoiled Ballots – 38 / 0.2%

Total Ballots Cast – 20,431

Statewide Totals:

Biden – 21,215 / 60.5%

Sanders – 12,337 / 35.2%

Exhausted Ballots – 1,424 / 4.1%

Spoiled Ballots – 68 / 0.2%

Total Ballots Cast – 35,044

CD 1 Delegate Allotment:

Biden – 5

Sanders – 2

CD 2 Delegate Allotment:

Biden – 5

Sanders – 3

PLEO Delegate Allotment:

Per DNC Rule 11.c:

Biden – 3

Sanders – 0

Per Biden/Sanders Agreement:

Biden – 2

Sanders – 1

At-large Delegate Allotment:

Per DNC Rule 11.c:

Biden – 6

Sanders – 0

Per Biden/Sanders Agreement:

Biden – 4

Sanders – 2

We thank you all for your patience as we adjusted to all mail balloting when world events made it necessary. Join us as we transition into the next step of our Delegate Selection Plan.

If you would like to run for a position as a National Delegate you will need to fill out:

State Convention Delegates who were elected at the March 4th Precinct Meetings and would like to vote for the District-level Delegates with the same Presidential Preference, you MUST fill out:

State Central Committee Senatorial District Representatives who would like to vote for the PLEO and At-large Delegates with the same Presidential Preference at the SCC Meeting on June 13, 2020, MUST fill out:

All forms are due by May 27, 2020.

I would like to express my gratitude for the PPP Committee and our election vendor Merriman River Group, mahalo to you all for the countless hours and your dedication to the Party and this tremendous undertaking – the first Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Party-run Presidential Primary.

Mahalo nui,

Kate Stanley
Interim State Chair

Live On-line Briefing: 2020 Party Elections

Live On-line Briefing: 2020 Party Elections
DPH On-line Store has REOPENED!

Aloha Blaine,

With all the changes that needed to be made to the 2020 DPH State Convention and thereby the changes to the 2020 Party Elections we are providing this on-line briefing to explain and cover:

  • How to file to run for all the upcoming Party Elections:
    • National Delegate to the DNC
    • National Committeewoman
    • National Committeeman
    • Presidential Electors
    • State Chairperson
    • State Central Committee Senate District Representative
  • Timeline for the 3 rounds of voting
  • Who gets to vote for each round and why
  • Explain what is being voted on for each round
  • How voting will work for each round
  • How to register and ensure your vote is counted for each round

Party Officers & SCC Reps duties: http://bit.ly/DPHSCCduties

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

How to participate:
Call In: If you are using a landline, you may incur long distance charges.
Dial-in Number: (605) 313-6153
Meeting ID: 809760#

Computer:
Online Meeting Link: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/dphvideo
Online Meeting ID: dph2018
To help share this briefing we also have a Facebook Event

You read that right! The DPH’s on-line store has reopened and our full line is now available! Check out the different designs & products that we have available by clicking here. Remember that every purchase made helps support the DPH!

Mahalo nui loa,

Michael Golojuch, Jr.
Co-chair
Membership Committee

PS.

WE NEED YOU! If you have not already done so PLEASE take a couple of minutes today and complete the 2020 Census, which you can do on-line at https://2020census.gov/en.

We also need to ask that you go the extra mile and make sure that ALL of your friends, family, and neighbors have completed the 2020 Census. Hawai‘i was under-counted in 2010 and it cost us millions in federal dollars that in turn negatively impacted our schools, roads, and programs like food-stamps and Section 8 housing. To ensure Hawai‘i gets our fair share of federal funding we need to make sure EVERYONE is counted.

Hawai’i is behind almost every other state in completing the 2020 Census and we will need every Federal dollar in the years to come to help us recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

By responding today to the 2020 Census you will also ensure a Census worker doesn’t have to come knocking on your door once they get back to counting. For more information about the 2020 Census visit their local website at  https://www.hawaiicounts.org.

HAC Elects New Officers, Representatives

Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Elects New Officers, SCC Representatives, and At-Large Island Representatives

Chair:  Juanita Brown Kawamoto
1st Vice Chair:  Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego
2nd Vice Chair:  Melodie Aduja
Secretary/Treasurer:  Benton Pang
SCC Female:  Pohai Ryan
SCC Male: Ken Farm
Oʻahu At-Large: Ellen Awai
Oʻahu At-Large (male):  Vacant
Hawaiʻi County At-Large:  Lei Kihoi
Kauaʻi County At-Large: Jean Iida
Maui County At-Large:  Vacant
Immediate Past Chair:  Leimomi Khan

Oahu County Committee Convention Cancelled

Quoting Lorna Strand, Chair, of the O’ahu County Committee, Democratic Party of Hawaii, “The health and safety of our members is our highest priority, and we believe the cancellation of this event is necessary to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Democratic Party of Hawaii Convention Postponed and Office Closed

The DPH Convention has been postponed.  Watch for further announcements.  The DPH headquarters is closed till further notice.

Message from Interim Chair Kate Stanley RE: COVID-19

Aloha,

As we all face this trying and unprecedented health crisis we want you to know that that our foremost concern is for the health and safety of every member of the community.

Here are some things we all can do now to help with this global pandemic:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds.
  • Practice social distancing — avoid groups of more than 10, stay at home if at all possible.
  • Share the Aloha spirit with everyone, compassion and empathy can go a long way.

We each have the power to help slow transmission, protect our vulnerable ʻohana, and minimize the burden on our already strained healthcare system. To learn more about preventing the spread of COVID-19 please go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

We ask that our members abide by the directions of the Governor, the Federal Government, and the CDC to help stop the spread of COVID-19, so that all of us remain safe and healthy.

As we move forward in a rapidly changing landscape, please know that we are working in concert with the members of the Executive Committee, County Chairs, other Party leaders, and the DNC to make the best decisions.

We ask for your patience as contingency planning continues. And we will keep you updated as changes occur.

Mahalo for your support and understanding.

Kate Stanley
Interim Party Chair
Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi

Protect Paʻakai (Salt) Cultural Practice of Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi

For all:  Mahalo nui loa for all who contributed to this resolution, especially DPH Kauai County Committee Chair Hermina Morita and Malia Nobrega Olivera, President, Hui Hana Pa’akai o Hanapepe.  My pu’uwai was touched yesterday by the unanimous adoption of this resolution by the State Central Committee and the supporting comments made by the Kauai representatives to the SCC, the Vice President of the SCC who hails from Kauai, and HAC SCC representative Ken Farm.  It was not an easy task since we had to get through the hurdle of convincing the SCC that this was a statewide concern so as to allow it to be considered on the meeting agenda for adoption.  As a note, the journey began when I received a petition from Kuulei Santos on the Hanapepe Salt Ponds, subsequently supported by Jean Iida, Kauai representative to the HAC, and discussed with and approved by the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus.   The final resolution as adopted was one that members of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Executive Committee felt they could support and recommend for consideration by the SCC.  Mahalo also to Makana Paris for helping with the diacritical marks of the original version of this resolution.
 
 “Kākou effort…mahalo to all.
 
Leimomi

DPH SCC Resolution 2019-1, adopted August 3, 2019

Protect Paʻakai (Salt) Cultural Practice of Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi

Whereas, Article XII §7 of the Hawaiʻi Constitution provides:

The State reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes and possessed by ahupua‘a tenants who are descendants of native Hawaiians who inhabited the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778, subject to the right of the State to regulate such rights.

Whereas, Waimakaohi‘iaka, in the ʻili of ʻUkulā, in the ahupuaʻa of Hanapēpē, in the moku of Kona or also known as the salt ponds of Hanapēpē is a wahi pana, a culturally significant sacred site specifically for the making of pa‘akai (salt), which has been traditionally cultivated and gathered by Native Hawaiians since time immemorial; and

Whereas, Waimakaohi‘iaka, is the only area in all of Hawaiʻi that continues to harvest paʻakaiusing traditional methods which are passed generation to generation by Native Hawaiian ʻohanawho are exercising their constitutionally protected traditional and customary salt-making knowledge and skills; and

Whereas, In keeping with centuries-old traditions, the paʻakai gathered at this location cannot be bought nor is it sold, but is generously shared or traded by the twenty-two families who are the lineal descendants of past salt-makers whereby this resource is distributed throughout Kauaʻi, statewide, nationally and internationally for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes; and

Whereas, The Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places is an official list of properties that have been recognized for their significance to the history, architecture, archaeology, or culture of Hawai‘i communities; and

Whereas, The Hanapēpē Salt Pans is listed in the State Inventory of Historic Places as SIHP #50-30-09-00049 and was added to the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places on September 30, 1988 and is also recommended for placement in the National Register of Historic Places; and

Whereas, The Waimakaohi‘iaka parcel is zoned Conservation (State Land Use), and is identified as an Open/Special Treatment Resource and Cultural District by the County of Kauaʻi; and

Whereas, Urbanization and commercial and increased recreation activities adjacent to Waimakaohi‘iakaare also causing a storm of other threatening factors such as dust, noise, and potential contamination from sources ranging from an ill-placed helicopter operation sited at Port Allen Airport, also known as Burns Field, and vehicles trying to drive on the beach, to broken beer bottles and trash left by beach users or homeless camps; and

Whereas, The aloha for and threats to this wahi panawere highlighted on June 25, 2019 when the Kauaʻi Planning Commission considered an application submitted by Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc. for after-the-fact permit applications where over 100 people testified in person, over 100 written testimonies were submitted and 24,000+ signatures supported the online petition found at http://change.org/protectpaakai, to protect this last of its kind, salt making in Hanapēpē; and

Whereas, Subsequently, the Kauaʻi Planning Commission is now holding a contested case hearing for the after-the-fact permit applications and granted intervenor status to the Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapēpē, a Native Hawaiian organization organized in 1964, comprised of the 22 ‘ohana that continue the salt-making and gathering practice; and now therefore

Resolved, That the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi stands in solidarity with Hui Hana Paʻakai o Hanapēpē, the salt-makers of Kaua‘i, and urges the following:

  • Kauaʻi Planning Commission reject the after-the-fact permit applications for Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc.;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation move the operations of Smoky Mountain Helicopters, Inc. from Burns Field to the more appropriate Līhuʻe Airport where all other Kauaʻi helicopter tour businesses operate;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation provide adequate security to discourage illegal trespassing and camping in the areas under its jurisdiction;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the County of Kauaʻi also control, regulate and enforce illegal beach access impacting the salt ponds in the areas under its jurisdictions;
  • State of Hawaiʻi Deparment of Health investigate the restroom facility at Burns Field that is currently utilizing an unpermitted cesspool as stated in their “after the fact” permit applicationʻ
  • all relevant State and County agencies cooperate and collaborate to require the necessary environmental disclosure needed to assess impacts and evaluate the implementation of mitigation measures and/or adequate buffer zones from adjacent, non-compatible uses to ensure the protection and preservation of the Hanapepe Salt Pans

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to all members of Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation, the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, the Lt. Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, the Director of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the Chairperson of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land & Natural Resources, the Chairperson of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health, the Kauaʻi Board Member of the State of Hawaii Board of Land & Natural Resources, the Kaua‘i Planning Commission, all members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature who represent Kaua‘i and who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the Mayor of Kaua‘i, all Kaua‘i county elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Hui Hana Pa‘akai o Hanapēpē.


Resolution to be sent to the following:

The Honorable David Ige
Governor, State of Hawaii
State Capitol
415 S Beretania St #5
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
The Honorable Josh Green
Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawaii
State Capitol
415 S Beretania St, 5th Floor 
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
Ms. Jade Butay
Director, Dept of Transportation
State of Hawaii
Aliiaimoku Hale 
869 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813 
 
Ms. Suzanne Case
Chair, Board of Land and Natural Resources
Dept of Land and Natural Resources
Kalanimoku Building
1151 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
Ms. Virginia Presslet, MD
Director, Dept of Health
State of Hawaii
P. O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
 
Ms. Janet Berreman, MD, MPH
Kauai District Health Officer
Dept of Health
3340 Umi Street
Lihue, HI 96766
 
Mr. Ka’aina S. Hull
Director, Kauai County Planning Dept
4444 Rice St #473
Lihue, HI 96766
Mr. Sean Mahoney, Chair
Planning Commission
c/o County of Kauai Planning Dept
4444 Rice Street, Suite A473
Lihue ‘e, Kauai 96766
 
Mr. Thomas Oi
Member, 4th Land District(Kauai)
Dept of Land and Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
 
Senator Ronald D. Kouchi
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 409
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
 
Representative Nadine K. Nakamura
Hawaii District 14
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 314
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
 
Representative Dee Morikawa
Hawaii District 16
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 434
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Representative James Kunane
Hawaii District 15
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 305
415 South Beretania St
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ms. Malia Nobrega-Olivera
President, Hui Hana Pa’akai o Hanapepe