Hawaii

Native Hawaiian organizations promote kanaka civic engagement, voter turnout

Published

3 months ago

August 10, 2024

Native Hawaiian organizations promote kanaka civic engagement, voter turnout

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Native Hawaiian organizations including Kamehameha Schools, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, are calling on kanaka maoli, especially first-time voters, to exercise their right to vote.

Madelyn McKeague, Director of Advocacy for Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the “Our Kaiaulu Votes” campaign and “Walk to the Box” events across Honolulu, Hilo and Wailuku to boost voter participation ahead of the Hawaii primary election.

“I think groups who have been disenfranchised for years and generations really don’t want to engage anymore because they’ve seen it not work. so what we’re trying to do is change that narrative, make it exciting to vote, make it proud to vote and remember that this is part of our legacy that we’re trying to carry on,” she said.

Our Kaiaulu Votes collaborates with schools and organizations to promote voter turnout, emphasizing that voting is a pathway to mana and a crucial element in shaping Hawaii’s future.

Registered voters can drop off their ballots or vote in person today until 7 p.m. at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale in the primary election.

For more information, visit Our Kaiaulu Votes.

Saturday is primary election day. Voting centers opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m.

During the “Walk to the Box” events on Friday, Kamehameha Schools seniors participated in their first voting experience, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement for shaping Hawaii’s future.

Niniau Kawaihae from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs highlighted the role of voting in advocating for policies that benefit Native Hawaiians, while Kuhio Lewis of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement stressed the legacy of civic engagement left by previous generations.

Manuwai Peters from Kamehameha Schools underscored the initiative’s focus on fostering a voting culture among youth to impact future generations.

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Hawaii

Local artists to tell stories of Oahu’s historical, cultural landmarks

Published

7 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Local artists to tell stories of Oahu’s historical, cultural landmarks

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Local artists will help tell the stories of Oahu’s historical and cultural landmarks through a new public art initiative launching next year.

“Wahi Pana: Storied Places” will explore the layered and profound histories of Oahu’s aina, or land, to inspire respect and provide educational experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The initiative will feature 12 artists and 11 sites across the island, such as Waimea Valley, Haleiwa Beach Park and Hanauma Bay.

“The art will be expressed through various forms of storytelling, including sculpture, video, photography, poetry, painting, and mele,” said Kaʻili Trask O’Connell, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts. “By deepening historical and cultural awareness with residents and visitors, the initiative encourages more meaningful engagement with Hawaii’s aina and its people.”

Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum will create vinyl bus wraps for selected city buses that will depict the journey of Hiiaka, Pele’s youngest sister.

“This project is a chance for us as artists to connect with our communities and to bring the spirit of each wahi pana, each storied place to life,” he said.

Carl F.K. Pao will create tiled murals at Fort Street Mall that transform Hawaiian into a visual language.

Brandy Nālani McDougall, 2023–2025 Hawaii State Poet Laureate, will compose poetry relating to the presence and perception of Leahi, or Diamond Head.

The project, supported by a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, will begin installations in February 2025 and will run through March 2028.

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Hawaii

Navy wife found guilty in baby’s death in Hawaii military housing

Published

14 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Press Room

Navy wife found guilty in baby’s death in Hawaii military housing

A jury in Hawaii has found a Navy wife guilty of manslaughter in connection with the overdose death of a 7-month-old baby in military housing, according to local news reports.

Dixie Denise Villa is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 26, according to a report from Hawaii News Now. Abigail Lobisch was found dead Feb. 24, 2019, in Villa’s house at Aliamanu Military Reservation in Hawaii, where Villa was babysitting her.

An overdose of antihistamine was determined to be the cause of Abigail Lobisch’s death, according to court documents.

The trial, which began Nov. 4, was held in Hawaii’s civilian court system.

In September 2019, in the wake of the baby’s death, the Defense Department’s personnel chief called for officials to investigate reports of unauthorized daycare operations on installations. James Stewart, then-acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said officials should take appropriate steps to shut down these unauthorized operations.

Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book “A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families.” She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.

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