Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 1, 1 January 2020 — ENCOURAGING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ENCOURAGING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

EA | GOVERNANCE

With so many serious issues affecting Native Hawaiians, an informed and active citizenry is needed to ensure a vibrant future for the lōhui. Participation in the political process is imperative. OHA's advocacy helps to develop and shape public policies that have broad implications for the Hawaiian community. But advocacy for laws and policies affecting Hawaiians is not just the purview of organizations like OHA. Everyone has the kuleana to be involved in shaping the present to lay a strong foundation for the future.

In October 2018, students from the Wai'anae High School Natural Resources Academy Hawaiian Studies Program reached out to OHA to leam more about participating in the political process. The students visited OHA, meeting with staff to leam how OHA facilitates collaboration within the community and advocates on behalf of Native Hawaiians. The students were also walked through the legislative process, introduced to OHA's 2019 legislative package, and engaged in a Youth Advocacy workshop. This helped equip them to actively engage in last year's legislative process. Students attended the Legislature's Opening Day events, Hawaiian Caucus, observed floor sessions and attended committee meetings; some of the students even testified in support of bills about whieh they felt passionate. Raising the next generation of oiwi leaders to be civic-minded, informed and involved aligns with OHA's commitment to advocacy. Hawaiians have long been involved in the modern legislative process. Records from Hawai'i's first territorial legislature in 1901 reveal "a competent, prepared, and engaged native leadership addressing foundational concerns of their constituents through the drafting and support of numerous legislative bills." Civic engagement means participating in the democratic process, being informed about the issues and voting. But actually effecting change to benefit one's community requires a greater commitment and involves becoming active in community affairs and issues. 7o encourage greater civic engagement, OHA has produced videos providing basic information including: absentee voting, how bills become laws, and how to testify on bills. The videos are posted on OHA's YouTube ehannel.

Wai'anae haumana testify at the State Capitol during the Hawaiian Caucus. - Photo: Jason Lees