Aloha e nā hoa,

The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, in partnership with ‘Ōlelo Vote Informed, wish to invite you to attend their live presentation of thirteen candidates seeking a seat to the OHA Board of Trustees.

The taping and live showing will occur at the ‘Ōlelo Māpunapuna studio on Thursday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m. and on-air channel 49.  If you can attend, please RSVP to leimomikhan@gmail.com, by July 18, with your name, organization (e.g., DPH, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus), and indicate the segment(s) that you wish to attend (see below).  Upon your reservation, you will be sent further instructions. Seating is limited to 50 in the studio room, with an additional 30 in other rooms.

The three segments will feature the following candidates:

Segment 1, 6:00 to 7:00 (4):  Trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey and Kapu Ke‘eaumoku, Maui Resident seat; Esther Kia’āina,O‘ahu Resident seat; Makana Paris, OHA at-Large seat.

Segment 2, 7:15 to 8:15 (5):  Kalei Akaka and Jackie Kaho‘okele Burke, O‘ahu Resident seat; C. Kaui Amsterdam, Keali‘i Makekau, and Landen D. K. K. Paikai, OHA at-Large seat.

Segment 3, 8:30 to 9:30 (4):   Trustee Lei Ahu Isa; William J. Aila, Jr; Brendon Kaleiʻāina Lee; and Pohai Ryan, OHA at-Large seat.

Here is a list of all candidates.  Democratic Party members are identified with a (D) by their name:

Me kealoha pumehana,

Leimomi Khan,
HAC Chair

Aloha e nā hoa,

Here are a few updates from the Caucus:

HAC SCC Representative (non-male) Election
Reminder, applications to serve as HAC SCC Representative (non-male) are due not later than July 13 (extended due date). See hawaiianaffairs.org for details and an application form. Election will be held on July 17, 6:00 p.m., DPH headquarters by the HAC Executive Committee.

Super Debate
If you missed the Hawaiʻi News Now Super Debate of candidates for Congressional District 1, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor, you can still access it at the hawaiinewsnow.org. They have also posted individual interviews with the candidates.

Another good source of information on candidates is ‘Ōlelo TV’s Vote Informed program, accessible at olelo.org under “Tell Your Story.”

OHA Candidate Forums
The Ko‘olaupoko, Ko‘olauloa, Waimānalo, and Kailua Hawaiian Civic Clubs recently hosted an OHA candidate forum. A recording of it will be aired on ʻŌlelo 49 on the following dates: Monday, July 16, 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, July 17, 2:00 p.m.; and Thursday, July 19, at 9:00 a.m.

Additionally, the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, in partnership with ‘Ōlelo TV’s Vote Informed program will be televising live a Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Candidate Forum on July 19th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. 

Candidates will be asked questions about the recent audits of the Attorney General, Homelessness, Health, Education, and Governance issues. Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi members running for the OHA Trustee positions include:

Trustee at-large (3 seats): Lei Ahu Isa, William J. Aila, Jr., Rowena Akana, Alvin A. Akina, Faye Hanohano, Brendon Kaleiʻāina Lee, Makana Paris, Pohai Ryan, Eleanor Lei Sharsh-Davis, and John D. Waiheʻe IV.

O’ahu (one seat): Kalei Akaka, Jackie Burke, Leona Kalima, and Esther Kiaʻāina.

Democrats in Action
Region 5 is hosting a Democratic Candidates Fair, at ʻAiea High School on July 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free to the public.

Senate District 12 and District 22 are hosting a Meet the Candidates meeting with Senator Brickwood Galuteria, 6:15 to 7:00 and Ms. Sharon Moriwaki, 7:15 to 8:00 p.m. on July 27 at 1350 Ala Moana. RSVP to Daniel Jacob at daniel@oahudemocrats.org.

The Rural South Hilo Community Association (Hawaiʻi Island) is hosting a Senate District 4 Candidate Forum at the Kulaʻimano Community Center on July 18, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

District 1 is hosting a candidate forum for Senate District 4 and House District 1, at the Honokaʻa People’s Theater on Monday, July 23, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Volunteer for 2018 Elections
Get involved, learn, and earn! Sign-up to become an election day official at elections.hawaii.gov. Primary election is Saturday, August 11, 2018 and general election is Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

Mahalo,

Leimomi Khan,
HAC Chair

Aloha e nā hoa,

DPH Platform: “Honoring Hawaiians”
Several members of the Caucus have expressed concern with the platform section titled, “Honoring Hawaiians” adopted at the DPH convention. At issue is the deletion of a key provision that existed in the 2016 platform language, i.e., “We support recognition of Native Hawaiians as indigenous people as provided by the U.S. Constitution; such recognition will add to the process of Native Hawaiian self-determination” and other watered down language. The HAC Executive Committee will request that the SCC defer the new languageand afford the HAC to meet with members to discuss the platform changes and to make recommendations to the SCC. We shall have further discussions on this at our July 25^th General Membership meeting.

2019 Legislative Agenda Preparations
Under the leadership of HAC 1VC, the Government Relations Committee will be meeting later this month for the purpose of formulating our legislative agenda for 2019. Watch for announcement of the meeting date and time on the DPH calendar. In the meantime, recommendations may be emailed to Raytan Vares at, raytanv@gmail.com. Especially, ideas are welcomed on legislative initiatives to address Native Hawaiian homeless and incarceration.

Support of DPH Candidates
At its recent meeting, the Executive Committee adopted a formal policy and appropriate procedures for the support of DPH candidates for political office. To be eligible, the candidate must be a member of the DPH and complete the HAC Political Candidate questionnaire that will be posted to our website.This questionnaire outlines the ways in which the candidate plans to support the HAC’s mission. A copy of the adopted P&P can be found at our website under governing documents.

Essentially, the HAC will provide support in the following ways:
1) Publicize their requests for sign waving, telephone banking, fundraising, etc. to the HAC membership;
2) For the races of Governor, Lt Governor, Mayor, Congressional, and OHA positions, we will offer an opportunity to DPH members to address the HAC membership for five minutes at our general membership (or special) meetings;
3) Hold an OHA candidate forum.

OHA Trustee Candidates Official List
The Office of Elections announced the following candidates for OHA trustee positions:

O’ahu: Kalei Akaka, Jackie Burke, Leona Kalima, Esther Kiaʻāina, Samuel Wilder King II, Paul Mossman, and Francine Kanani Murray.

Maui: Keʻeaumoku Kapu, Carmen Hulu Lindsey.

At-Large (3): Lei Ahu Isa, William Aila, Rowena Akana, Avin Akina, C. Kaui Jochanan Amsterdam, Faye Hanohano, Brendon Kaleiʻāina Lee, Kealiʻi Makekau, Marc Paʻaluhi, Landen Paikai, Makana Paris, Kali Puʻuohau, Pohai Ryan, Lei Sharish-Davis, and John Waiheʻe IV.

Mahalo,
Leimomi Khan
Chair, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Aloha e nā hoa,

I hope you’re having a wonderful Kamehameha holiday weekend! Here are a few updates from the Caucus:

Congratulations to Kealiʻi Lopez on her election to the position of Party Chair! Chair Lopez ran on a platform of creating a place of collaboration, building a strong organization, honoring diversity. She said she looks forward to having more of Hawaii’s residents seeing the Democratic Party as a broad spectrum of people united in fostering a better future. We wish her the best and we will be there every step of the way to see you and our Party succeed.

Vacant HAC SCC Position
With the elevation of Kealiʻi Lopez to Party Chair, the HAC State Central Committee Representative (non-male) became vacant. Nominations are being solicited now to fill the vacant position for the term July 2018 to March 2020 (see HAC bylaws, Article VI, Section 6B(3), Vacancies). Members are encouraged to apply.

A complete description of the duties and qualifications for this position can be found in the HAC bylaws posted on its website, www.hawaiianaffairs.org. In summary, the HAC SCC representative attends HAC and SCC meetings, prepares necessary reports to the SCC and the Caucus, and carries out the responsibilities outlined in the Democratic Party of Hawai’i Constitution and Bylaws. To apply:

1. Provide a brief written statement certifying that you meet the qualifications as described on the nomination form and required by the HAC bylaws.
2. Complete the Nomination Form (downloadable at hawaiianaffairs.org) and email it along with the written statement to Rhonda Roldan, Chair of the Nominations Committee, at, rhondar8@gmail.com, or mail to the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, c/o Democratic Party of Hawaii,  P.O. Box 2041, Honolulu, Hawaii 96805. To be considered, the form must be received by not later than July  9, 2018.
3. DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
4. https://drive.google.com/open?id=12W422_uO7GqQeD4EPNApygnYUVMS6HjT

Per the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus bylaws, the Executive Committee will select a replacement from among the nominations received to fill the remainder of the term. This will be done at its meeting scheduled for July 17, 2018, 6:00 p.m. at the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i headquarters.

Future Meeting Dates/Times
The HAC Executive Committee has set the Executive Committee and General Membership meeting dates and times for CY 2018:

All meetings will be held at the Party headquarters at 6:00 p.m. Agenda will be posted to the DPH and HAC websites. Meetings are open to Democratic Party of Hawaii members, though voting is limited to actual members of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus. To join the caucus, go to: hawaiianaffairs.org, click on “About – Membership” to access the membership application form. 

Mahalo,
Leimomi Khan
Chair, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

Convention Report for the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus

In the face of the disasters experienced by our Waimanalo, Kauai and Hawai‘i ohana these past few months, we are reminded of the words of an ancient mele, “Pu‘uonioni”, that says, “Mālama I Ke Kanaka, A He Pua Lahaʻole” (“Take care of your people, for they are the rarest of flowers.”)  The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus cares about these communities and applauds their strength and resilience.

Congratulations to the Hawai‘i County Committee for hosting this year’s convention.  Your work in the face of adversity is commendable and appreciated.  Congratulations and mahalo also to the DPH leadership and staff and the SCC Convention Co-Chairs and Committee for your diligence in bringing us a great convention.

In line with its mission, the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus invites everyone to attend its educational forum, titled, “Traditional and Customary Native Hawaiian Practices” featuring the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Mr. Joshua Lanakila Mangauil, cultural practitioner and Hawai‘i island resident. Join us on Friday, May 25, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Waikoloa.

The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus supports and promotes the cultural values of aloha, mālama ‘āina, ho‘okipa, kuleana and pono, in alignment with the values of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.  We seek to address issues of self-determination responsibilities and rights, protection of Hawaiian cultural practices and sacred sites, pono economic development, distribution of wealth to those segments of society most in need, protection of Hawai‘i’s natural resources (on the ‘āina and in the kai), housing, health, education, and accountability of public servants identified as Democrats to the mission and goals of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Since the last convention, we have conducted monthly meetings of the Executive Committee and quarterly meetings of our membership; tracked, testified and advocated for over 100 bills in the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions, got the National Platform amended to include a statement on Native Hawaiians, testified at Office of Hawaiian Affairs meetings, and served on various SCC Committees.  We also periodically sponsored educational forums and cultural outings.  Our focus has primarily been on bills concerning appropriations for Native Hawaiian programs, housing, education, health and the environment.

As elections approach, we will host candidate forums, especially for those running for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; invite candidates for all political offices to share their platform and post to our website; and encourage voter turnout.

In closing, we wish to honor Senator Daniel Akaka and send our sincerest condolences to aunty Millie and their family. Moe me ka maluhia lani, Uncle Danny.

HAC Chair’s Forum from Blaine Fergerstrom on Vimeo.