Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 11, 1 November 1992 — Cayetano says, 'Let your voice be heard' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Cayetano says, 'Let your voice be heard'

It is important that the Hawaiian people take an active role in decision-making in Hawai'i. The Hawaiian people elect the members of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, but there are also many other offices that affect Hawaiians. For example, the Board of Education is one crucial factor to improving educational programs for Hawaiian children. At one point in Hawaii's history Hawaiians along with other ethnic groups were limited or denied access to the voting booth. Today a large number of Hawaiian voters seem to be excluding themselves from taking an active role in the polilieal process, thereby limiting their control over their own futures. When vou cast a vote for the candidate of vour ehoiee.

you help assure that there will be someone speaking in your best interest when laws are negotiated, policies determined and resolutions passed. Your representative should be one of the first people you eall on when you are having trouble getting things done in your neighborhood. When you don't let your voice be heard through the political process you short change yourself and your community. If you're registered to vote, I encourage you to do so on Tuesday, Nov. 3. From now until then make an effort to meet the handful of candidates hoping to represent your district, whether they are running for the school board, state legislature, mayor, city eouneil, prosecuting attomey or U.S. representative or senator. Let them know, what issues are important to you and that you will hold them responsible for representing your individual voice — and collective native Hawaiian voice. Hawaii nei is mueh poorer without your participation. So vote the for the future that you want to see.

Lt. Gov. Ben Cayetano