Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 10, 1 October 2016 — VOTING It is our Kuleand [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VOTING It is our Kuleand

Young loeal enterfainers inspire others fo show they care by voting By Francine Kananionapua Hurray

Wihen you were a child what did you want to be when you grow up? An athlete? A teacher? President? ^

Modeling and dancing hula at the Polynesian Cultural Center from the I early age of three, social media sensation Pashyn Santos always wanted to be an entertainer. In July she did several interviews, including one on Hawaii News Now, about her internet video that had gone viral: "Hawaiian Pidgin Siri," a popular spoof on Apple's voice-activated virtual personal assistant and navigator

software. In the short video, Pashyn gets directions to Ala Moana from Siri, local-style. Pidgin Siri has had over 3.9 million views to date, transforming the raised-in-Wai'anae loeal comedian into an entertainer with a worldwide audience, making one of her childhood dreams eome true. Now Pashyn is using her internet fame to encourage more youth to let their voices be heard during the upcoming general election. "Growing up I had the opportunity to participate in 'Kids Vote,' whieh was a really eool activity to engage young children to go through an actual voting process and see what it feels like," she recalled. "Ever since then I felt empowered to let my voice be heard. It was fun!" Speaking of fun, Pashyn and her friends make voting a party. She invites them to join her at the precinct because she cares about

their future and wants them to feel empowered by voting like she does. They make a day of it, talk- ing

story, singing and dancing - sharing the aloha spirit. "It's a celebration honoring those who fought for us to have a

"I mana ka leo," she reminds us. "Let your voice be heard. Vote." "If enough young people eome out and k vote, it could actually sway the election," I said Joseph Kūhio Lewis, Community W Outreach Manager at OHA. "The decisions our elected officials make today ean impact generations to eome. So, it's important for young voters to have a say on who represents their interest." Over the last few election cycles OHA ) has focused its efforts on reaching out to younger voters. "We've worked closely with loeal celebrities, attended large events frequented by younger voters, introduced a candidate game to make voting more engaging, and even partnered with social media inlluencers — like Pashyn Santos," said Lewis. Early this summer Pashyn and Wendy Santos, together with the crew at Viral 808 - a group of comedians and musicians - partnered with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to encourage youth to get out and vote, producing a sequel to "Hawaiian Pidgin Siri," called "Aunty Siri Said Vote." It's comedy with a message as Pidgin Siri gives Pashyn directions on how to register to vote. Just 24 hours after the sequel was posted it had been seen by more than 120,000 viewers and made it on the news. Asked what she would say to inspire people to vote, Santos made it simple. "I would encourage everyone to just go!" she said. "Get registered, whieh is really simple, and go with someone you live with!" Tuesday, Nov, 8 - Eleehon Day - is a holiday, making it easy to get to the polls.

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* voice," s h e . ■ says īn H the short video that W launched 7 on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 27. It's just one in a series of pieces this hot oeal internet star

has posted that has spread ^ like wild- - — - fire on the 'net.

Deciding who to vote for, however, requires a bit of research. Selecting elected officials and policy makers who have positions on issues that you ean agree with is vital in creating the future you envision. Years ago, Lewis eame up with an innovative way for people to learn more about the candidates. "The candidate game is different, an interactive way of assessing candidates," he said. To bring Lewis's idea to fruition, OHA partnered with Kanu Hawai'i to develop a fast, fun way to get unbiased candidate information online. "It beats reading lengthy surveys and questionnaires," Lewis explains. "You simply answer a series of questions and

the game will align you with the candidate that matches your interests." The game will be available in late October at www.kanuhawaii.org/vote2016. Another quick way to remember whieh candidates you want to vote for this eleehon is as easy as 1, 2, 3. One, take the Special General Eleetion section out of the October issue of Ka Wai Ola. Two, highlight the candidates you support and want to vote for. Three, bring it with you as your simple guide when you vote. Last, kiek back and enjoy your day knowing your vote is your voice. It is valuable, and one of the most powerful things you have. ■