Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 9, 1 September 1991 — The importance of the political process [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The importance of the political process

by Abraham Aiona Trustee, Maui

As one oi your new-ly-elected trustees on the OHA Board of Trustees, I have reviewed the past eight months of this term to evaluate our performanee. I found that despite some criticism and other minor internal

and external problems, the board has been working hard and diligently towards accomplishing OHA's mission. To accomplish OHA's mission, we are following the Master Plan whieh focuses on four goals: "1. To achieve revival, enhancement and maintenance of the Hawaiian culture. 2. To provide opportunities for Hawaiians to enhanee their social and eeonomie well being. 3. To achieve full participation of Hawaiians in poliheal processes. 4. To achieve a strong, viable Office of Hawaiian Affairs, characterized by responsible leadership and financial independence that enables the fulfillment of the needs and expectations of current and future generations of Hawaiians." As a former member of the Maui County Council, I view the "poliheal process" as one of the most important arenas in whieh Hawaiians should be involved in our ever-changing society. My artkle will focus on this process and its impact at all levels of government and on the people themselves. Politics touch virtually every aspect of contemporary life, and Hawaiians need to become politically aware and participate in government. How else ean Hawaiians effect changes? We must remember that nowhere else in our nation do the Hawaiian people have the power and ability to eiect their own leaders who represent them before all levels of government. The on/y elected legally constituted body representing all Hawaiians is the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). It is unfortunate and sad that many Hawaiians fail to register to vote, and that those who do register "fail to exercise their right to vote. Although there were approximately 65,000 Hawaiian voters registered statewide in the 1990 election, only about 49,000 voted. Hawaiians have been slightly behind the state's average performance. Why is this so? Do Hawaiians feel that there is no need to vote because it makes no difference? I hope not. Do they feel that politicians, onee elected, forget about their own constituents and look for their personal gain and special interests? I pray not. We must understand that politics bring out the worst in some people, in some instances; however, it usually brings out their best and positive contributions to their constituents. By ! understanding the process and its rewards, Hawaiians could be one of the most influential and effective people at all levels of our government. Hawaiians ean look back with pride at the accomplishments of many, many notable Hawaiians who served as elected officials since the turn of this century. Hawaiians have always been active as political leaders during the early years of •s the territory and after statehood whieh eame in 1959. At the present time we have Hawaiians holding important positions at the federal, state and county levels. Among the many Hawaiians in office are U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, Gov. John D. Waihee, Speaker of the House Daniel Kihano, and many others. I firmly believe that Hawaiians ean reverse the downward trend and become a recognized

influence in the immediate future. I recommend we: 1 . Work consistently and diligently on programs with our sister Hawaiian agencies to instill pride in being a Hawaiian. 2. Continue our "Operation 'Ohana" registration to register all Hawaiians and to build a data bank for this purpose and for other needs. 3. Continue the volunteer voter registration program that was done in 1990 and send the registrars out to the people, instead of waiting for them to eome to the voter registration offices. 4. Use an effective media program through public service announcements, and, if necessary, fund special television and radio programs to focus on the political process and its benefits. 5. Encourage younger Hawaiians to seek elective offices, so that they ean truly make an impact. As a Native Hawaiian who has been involved in the process at the county level, and now on the OHA board, I ean truthfully say that politics is a rewarding life. Service to one's people and our community gives one a satisfaction and a feeling of

truly contributing to the social and eeonomie wellbeing of our people. Only through the untiring efforts of all Hawaiians and others will we be able to attain Objective 3.1 of OHA's Master Plan, whieh is: "To stimulate and assist Hawaiians to participate in government so that in 10 years, the Hawaiian people will have recognized influence at all levels of government." In my heart and mind, I firmly believe that Hawaiians care enough about themselves, their families, their elected officials, and the need to become involved in the "political process." 1992 is another election year and it behooves us to look now for qualified Hawaiians to run for office. Whether it be for OHA, county office, the state legislature, Congress, or any other elective offices, we should have qualified Hawaiians seeking election. We, as voters and supporters, should become actively involved if we want to impact and effect changes in the system. In closing, I ask all Hawaiians to think about the process and how we ean make a difference in 1992. Aloha kakou.

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(This eolumn is open to all OHA Trustees as a vehicle for them to express their mana'o. Opinions expressed are those of the individual Trustees and do not necessarily represent the official position of the OHA Board of Trustees.) Xwaaw>:W:w:w:xw'Xv:-:'X'XW:-:w