Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 11, 1 November 2014 — CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS NOT JUST AN ELECTION --TIME ISSUE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS NOT JUST AN ELECTION --TIME ISSUE

Aloha mai kākou, The election might be over but it is never too late to remind our elected leaders that Native Hawaiians vote and that we care. Our elected leaders do want to know what is important to their constituents, what problems need solving and what they ean do to improve everyone's quality of life. That makes this a perfect time to remind them that Native Hawaiian issues need their attention. We are all for finding ways to protect our cultural resources and funding for Native Hawaiian programs both on the state and federal level. We want to eonhnue to dialogue on what is just compensation for the government's use of ceded lands. It doesn't take mueh to heeome a little more politically active in your community. You ean say a quick "Hi" at a community event and let your elected officials know what you're concerned about, whether it is traffic safety in your neighborhood or preservation of Hawaiian cultural resources. We want them to know Native Hawaiians are engaged, involved and care, and that we want to make a difference. Just a few kind words ean make a world of difference. I want to be part of the solution; we all want to be a part of the solution. And by staying engaged we will be part of the solution. There are other ways for Native Hawaiians to exert inhuenee in our community. As the holiday season approaches, we should

all consider buying gifts from our Native Hawaiian businesses. A strong economy is a good foundation for a Native Hawaiian nation. Boosting our businesses means more jobs and higher household ineome. Buying from Native Hawaiian businesses means more money stays in Hawai'i, and circulates through our economy, instead of going into the pockets of multinational corporations. Ka Wai Ola offeredNative Hawaiian businesses free ads in this month's paper. I invite you to look at the ads and patronize these businesses. In this small way, you ean help us empower Hawaiians and strengthen all of Hawai'i. 'O au iho nō me ke aloha a me ka 'oia'i'o, Kamana'opono M. Crabbe, Ph.D. Ka Pouhana/Chief Executive Officer

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