Election 2016, Endorsement of OHA Candidates: At its meeting on September 28, 2016, the Executive Committee voted to endorse Haunani Apoliona for OHA Trustee-at-Large and Robert Lindsey for OHA Hawaiʻi Island Trustee. Members of the Democratic Party are encouraged to vote for these candidates. Their position on Hawaiian self-governance is consistent with the platform of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and the resolution, “Support for the Naʻi Aupuni Hawaiian Nation-Building and the U.S. Department of Interior’s Rule-making Processes” adopted by the SCC at its quarterly meeting on October 24, 2015.
The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus will hold its quarterly general membership meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 6:00 p.m., at ILWU (451 Atkinson Drive). You are urged to attend. If you’re unable to be there in person, you may call in to this conference line:
Agenda includes a presentation on the Constitution of the Native Hawaiian Nation, an update on the various issues the Executive Committee has been working on, and the election of two Oʻahu county-at-large officers to the HAC Executive Committee. Additionally, members are encouraged to bring up any proposals for the 2017 legislative agenda, for example, in education, housing, health, etc.
For Oʻahu HAC members, if you’re interested in running for one of the Oʻahu county-at-large positions, contact Secretary Rhonda Roldan by responding to this email.
The meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. So that we may have a sense of how many members are planning to attend, please RSVP by Oct 10 to, Hawaiian.Affairs.Caucus@gmail.com. If you are also available to help with set up and cleanup, please contact Raytan Vares (raytanv@gmail.com).
Election 2016, Endorsement of OHA Candidates: At its meeting on September 28, 2016, the Executive Committee voted to endorse Haunani Apoliona for OHA Trustee-at-Large and Robert Lindsey for OHA Hawaiʻi Island Trustee. Members of the Democratic Party are encouraged to vote for these candidates. Their position on Hawaiian self-governance is consistent with the platform of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and the resolution, “Support for the Naʻi Aupuni Hawaiian Nation-Building and the U.S. Department of Interior’s Rule-making Processes” adopted by the SCC at its quarterly meeting on October 24, 2015.
The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus turned out in numbers yesterday to support OHA Chair Robert Lindsey in his bid for re-election to the Hawai‘i Island trustee spot. We support Uncle Bob!
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS CAUCUS CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE INFORMED VOTERS MAKE SOUND DECISIONS
On July 3, 2016, the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus issued an invitation to all Democratic Party candidates to participate in its Candidate Questionnaire. The questionnaire asked for the candidate’s views about Hawaiian self-governance; the role of a legislator in supporting Native Hawaiian concerns; and specific legislation the candidate would be willing to propose or support to address Native Hawaiian concerns. Responses to the questions from the candidates listed below can be found at www.hawaiianaffairs.org. https://www.hawaiianaffairs.org/candidate-forum/candidates/
U.S. Senate
Brian Schatz
Miles Shiratori
U.S. Representative District 1
Colleen Hanabusa
Lei Ahu Isa
Javier Ocasio
Steve Tataii
State Senate
District 2, Russell Ruderman
District 5, Gil Keith-Agaran
District 8, Kanoe Ahuna
District 9, Michael Bennett, M.D.
District 9, Stanley Chang
District 13, Keone Nakoa
District 13, Kim Coco Iwamoto
District 14, Carl Campagna
District 14, Donna Mercado Kim
District 20, Mike Gabbard
District 25, Randy Gonce
District 25, Laura Thielen
State House
District 3, Ainoa Naniole
District 4, Joy San Buenaventura
District 8, Richard Abbett
District 11, Deidre Tegarden
District 13, Lynn DeCoite
District 14, Fern Anuenue Rosenstiel
District 17, Karlen Ross
District 20, Calvin Say
District 22, Dennis Miller
District 22, Tom Brower
District 23, Dale Kobayashi
District 24, Cody Carlos Rodrigues
District 29, James Logue
District 36, Zuri Aki
District 40, Randy Gonce
District 49, Patrick Kamakaniau Shea
Likewise, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs issued a questionnaire to candidates for OHA Trustee positions that posed three questions concerning improvements to the physical, mental and spiritual health of Native Hawaiians; strategy for achieving nation building; and use of mana to address contemporary, complex, and pressing issues, such as climate change, health and wealth disparities. Responses to the questionnaire can be found at www.oha.org, under the heading of Election Guide for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees.
The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus urges all Democratic Party voters to avail themselves of these candidate responses. We hope that this will help the electorate to make informed, sound decisions at the primary and general elections. Mahalo to the candidates for taking the time to complete the questionnaire. Check back for updates at www.hawaiianaffairs.org.
The featured guest was Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa talking about the addition of a Native Hawaiian plank to the National Democratic Party Platform. Photos: Blaine Fergerstrom
Democratic Party Platform Committee Unanimously Passes Native Hawaiian Section
Democrat Colleen Hanabusa, Hawai‘i representative to the National Platform Committee, just advised via email: “The Caucus’ proposed language, with the following amendment to your first sentence, ‘Democrats also support efforts for self-governance and self-determination of Native Hawaiians. Native Hawaiians are the indigenous, aboriginal people of Hawai‘i whose values and culture are the foundation of the Hawaiian Islands. We support proactive actions by the federal government to enhance Native Hawaiian culture, health, language, and education. We recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices made in sevice to our country by Native Hawaiians,’ passed unanimously, just now.”
“We are grateful to Colleen Hanabusa for championing our proposal and to the 197 Platform Committee Members who voted unanimously to adopt it. Mahalo, mahalo nui loa.”
The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus will be holding its quarterly general membership meeting on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 6:00 p.m., at ILWU (451 Atkinson Drive).
Members are urged to attend. Amongst other agenda items, we will be electing county at-large officers to the HAC executive committee. If interested, contact Secretary Rhonda Roldan by responding to this email. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Meet & Greet Social featuring Democrats running for political office at 7:00 p.m. For additional information, please see the below flyer. So that we may have a sense on the number of members planning to attend the meeting, please RSVP by July 10 to, hawaiian.affairs.caucus@gmail.com. If you are also available to help with setup and cleanup, please contact Raytan Vares (raytanv@gmail.com) or Pohai Ryan (pohaikaua@gmail.com).
Mahalo,
Hawaiian Affairs Caucus
2016 Democratic Candidates
Meet & Greet
Hosted by:
Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Office
451 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu, HI 96814
Refreshments will be served. Please join us!
*HAC general membership business will precede the Meet & Greet
OHA and Kamehameha Schools have partnered to launch the Native Hawaiian Federal Service Fellowship. Fellows will spend 9-months in Washington, DC, working within a U.S. Congressional office on federal policy affecting Native Hawaiians and others. In addition to the opportunity to make an immediate impact on national policy, fellows will gain practical insight into the inner workings of the Federal Government and influence over decisions that affect the Native Hawaiian community.
The program consists of three components: 1) immersion through work on Capitol Hill, 2) individual mentoring from senior aides, and 3) seminars on topics proposed by the fellowship cohort. The program will last up to nine months, beginning in September 2016 and ending in May 2017. Fellows will be compensated via a $30,000 stipend. The ideal candidate is a recent college graduate and/or graduate student available to work full time in DC for 9-months. Candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to the wellbeing of the Native Hawaiian community and show the capacity to work successfully in an office setting. The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM HST, July 1, 2016. More information, including details on how to submit an application, can be found at www.oha.org/DCinternships.
The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus is looking to fill county at-large positions on our executive committee. As a statewide organization, it is imperative that we have representation from community voices all across our pae ʻāina. The county at-large positions were established in 2013 to increase community participation in the leadership of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, be inclusive of the diversity of perspectives in our Hawaiian communities, and bring greater awareness to the range of issues effecting Native Hawaiians. A detailed description of the duties and authorities of the Executive Committee can be found at the HAC website: www.hawaiianaffairs.org.
Election to fill four positions will take place at the next general membership meeting on Wednesday, July 13 at 6:00 p.m. Location to be announced. The positions are as follows:
One (1) At-Large Member from O‘ahu County
One (1) At-Large Member from Hawai‘i County
One (1) At-Large Member from Maui County
One (1) At-Large Member from Kauaʻi County
To be eligible, you must be a registered member of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and be a member of the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus for at least six months. As an executive committee member, you will be expected to attend executive committee and general membership meetings, demonstrate involvement in Caucus activities, and fully subscribe to the purpose, mission, and values of the Caucus. A written statement to this effect must accompany your interest as a candidate for an at-large position.
Please also indicate your county of residence. Email to the HAC Secretary Rhonda Roldan, at hawaiian.affairs.caucus@gmail.com by not later than July 5, 2016.Upon her receipt of your email, she will then verify your membership status with the Party and the Caucus. Nominations will also be taken at the meeting (note that it is more convenient for us to verify you beforehand).
A description of the duties and authorities of the Executive Committee can be found at the HAC website, www.hawaiianaffairs.org.
Please share this with your friends and ʻohana. Mahalo and we look forward to hearing from you!
The Democratic Party of Hawai’i (DPH) came together last month in Waikiki to hold an energized and productive State Convention. It reflected a broad diversity of character and experience and featured passionate debate that was possible only because of the hard work of our leaders, volunteers, and members who care deeply for this Party and our island home.
Mahalo to Chair Stephanie Ohigashi, the DPH Executive Committee, State Central Committee, County Chairs, staff and members who served and advanced our community the past two years. Special thanks to Convention Chairs Donna Domingo and Ikaika Mahoe, the Convention Planning Committees, volunteer support team, and all those who labored so hard under intense time deadlines to include tens of thousands of new members in our Party’s rolls.
The other candidates for Party Chair: Flo Kong Kee, Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and Jacce Mikulanec also deserve our respect and appreciation for running principled campaigns and for reaching out to stay involved. There is need for their leadership and no single individual can make the Democratic Party fulfill it’s highest potential.
Governor David Ige addresses the 2016 Democratic Party of Hawaii Convention.
Our Party has been and continues to be a revered platform and tool for the expression of our community values and the greater interests of our society. Democrats have historically been strong and influential because of our principled focus and ability to achieve unity.
All cultures change in time and, to move forward and find solutions to current needs, we are called as an organization to positively adapt. The broader Democrat community is looking to us for a renewed and expanded vigor. However, this is not a unilateral mandate to discount or dismiss the people or experience that helped shape our Party. We stand on the shoulders of our host culture, ancestors, labor unions, elected politicians and community organizations that give us this opportunity.
In Hawai’i, we have always been defined by our diversity. It has been through accepting and celebrating our differences that we have found common ground to unite us and move forward together. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the whole of our community and have set goals to expand communication and participation.
To that end, please join our DPH Facebook page and share this message to your county’s community and issue pages. Let us increase our networking, dialogue and outreach to help bring us all closer and strengthen our ability to act as one party. We will catch up on our primary expanded database, improve our use of technology, make it easier for members to regularly participate, and look to our communities and around the world for innovative ways to advance our Democratic values and deepen our service.
Democratic Party of Hawai’i 2016 Chair Tim Vandeveer and outgoing Chair Stephanie Cambra Ohigashi.
In the coming weeks, I hope to continue the discussion on how we can more specifically evolve to accomplish our goals. Our first step though, begins with basic appreciation and respect for the people that have made the Democratic Party a place of honor and hope.
Mahalo to each and every one of you for the good will to unify our party.
Holomua kākou, Tim Vandeveer
Chair, Democratic Party of Hawai’i
#DPHChairsMessage
Democratic Party
State Chair: Tim Vandeveer
County Chair: Reena Rabago
Region 5 Chair: Gary Saito
District 31 Chair: Debbie Shimizu
Precinct 3 President: Lennard Pepper
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