Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 9, 1 November 1984 — from the Chariman's Desk [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

from the Chariman's Desk

Political Power

By Joseph Kealoha OHA Chairman, Maui Trustee

The final registration figures for the Nov. 6 General Elections are in and they represent both a ehallenge and an opportunity for the Hawaiian people. According to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 59,204 people are registered to vote in the OH A e!ection.

688 individuals chose to register for the OH A election only. 58,516 people of Hawaiian ancestry are eligible to vote in the General Election as well. This means that approximately 14 percent of the total registered voters in Hawaii are of Hawaiian ancestry. This constitutes a powerful voting block whieh cannot be ignored by anyone seeking political office.

But in order for us to participate meaningfully in the democratic process, we first must be prepared to make intelligent choices at the polls. Secondly, we must exercise our right to make those choices by actually casting our ballots on election day. I urge you to find out all you ean about the men and women who seek your vote. Read their campaign literature and newspaper interviews. Ask them how they stand on the issues important to you as a Hawaiian and as a citizen of the State of Hawaii. How do they feel about reparations . . . about funding for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs . . . about the State's refusal to pay the 20 percent ceded land incomedue the Hawaiian people?

In addition to the national offices, including our two U.S. House members, Hawaii's voters will elect 13 state Senators and all 51 state Representatives. We also will be choosing the Mayors and Prosecuting Attorneys of Hawaii, Kauai and Honolulu counties and City Council members from Hawaii, Maui and Kauai. The 13-member State Board of Education is up for election and Hawaiians will select four members of the OHA Board of Trustees. A recent study notes that there are increasing numbers of people who register. but do not vote in the state of Hawaii. I urge every registered Hawaiian to help reverse that rend in this election. The political power of Hawaiians has been likened to the strength of a sleeping giant. Let's unleash some of that power on Tuesday, Nov. 6.