Here’s another tidbit just found in a stray file.
It’s a report on a discussion of whether the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana should get involved in the 1982 elections. The discussion took place during a PKO gathering at Kualoa Regional Park on August 21, 1982. The twenty-nine people who attended are listed.
This summary of the discussion was submitted by the PKO’s “political action coordination committee,” made up of Puanani Burgess, Emmett Aluli, Kawehi Kanui-Gill, and Annette Mente.
Recall that 1982 was a gubernatorial election year, with then-Gov. George Ariyoshi running for reelection. He faced an unusual challenge from Lt. Gov. Jean King. Republican D.G. “Andy” Anderson and Frank Fasi running as an independent were also in the running. Senator Spark Matsunaga was seeking reelection for a second term. Representatives Cec Heftel and Dan Akaka were also running for reelection with only token opposition.
There was a consensus among those present at the meeting that the PKO should be involved in the election, but only in “a limited and controlled way.”
There was also agreement that the PKO would not endorse candidates, but individual members were recognized as having “the freedom and responsibility to support those candidates of his or her choice.”
Those present agreed that the PKO would survey its members about political issues, and organize candidate panels on each island to highlight Hawaiian issues.
It is important that issues affecting Hawaiians be made an issue this election year – all the candidates are trying to avoid taking stands on Hawaiian issues. Forums which focus on the issues and how candidates stand on the issues can help us all cut through the bullshit of slick and rich political campaigns and slogans.