Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 12, 1 December 1994 — Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council update [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council update

Six new members were appointed last month to fill vacancies on the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council. They are: • Ululani Bierne, former state representative (At-large) • Olani Decker, to represent youth of Hawai'i (At-large) • Lyons Naone. Hawaiian herbalist and U.S. Customs Director, Maui district (Maui representative) • Keoni Inciong, a Hawaiian language teacher at Kapa'a Intermediate (Kaua'i representative) • Analu Berard, a retired engineer and former president of the Mainland District Council, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (Hawai'i representative) • Kaipo Kanahele, (Ni'ihau representative)

Continuing as members of the elections eouneil are: chairman Sol Kaho'ohalahala (Lana'i), vice-chair Davianna McGregor, and members Mahealani Kamau'u, Klna'u Boyd Kamali'i, Tasha Kama, Allen Hoe, William Meheula, Barbara Kalipi Hanchett, Kawehi Kanui-Gill, H.K. Bruss Keppeler, Poka Laenui, Ann Nathaniel, A'o Pohaku Rodenhurst and Sherry Evans (Mainland representative). Next year the eouneil will launeh a registration program of Hawaiians nationwide to participate in a December 1995 plebiscite on sovereignty. A registration kickoff event is being planned for January 17, 1994 in Hawai'i. The eouneil has advertised for a voter education services consultant, and a media consultant to help develop a video on the purpose and process of the plebiscite as part of a media campaign. It is also completing its work on an election rules document that spells out how the plebiscite will be conducted. For example, persons registering for the plebiscite will have to sign an affidavit swearing they are of Hawaiian ancestry. If challenged, they must prove it with proper documents. Council executive director Tara McKenzie says the eouneil will focus its initial efforts on outreach and registration of Hawaiians in Hawai'i, then on the Mainland, where the largest populations of Hawaiians live. Hawaiians living in foreign countries may also participate, but she said it will be up to their 'ohana in Hawai'i or the U.S. to let them know about the process and how to get involved.