The LWV Hawaii Council 2022 meeting on May 21 was a hybrid event. Eleven board members, delegates and guests enjoyed breakfast and coffee at Coconut Grill in Hilo. Six others joined virtually.

The biennial Council is a midpoint opportunity to check on our two-year progress, pass an annual budget and address topics and program after the State Legislature closes. The state board and one delegate from each local league may vote at Council.

Council opened with LWVHI Director Ruth Robison acknowledging the land on which we met: “The League of Women Voters of Hawaiʻi respects the native Hawaiian people as traditional stewards of this ʻāina - located in the ahupuaʻa (land division) of Waiākea, in the moku (district) of Hilo, on the mokupuni (island) of Hawaiʻi - and the enduring relationship that exists between them. The League commits itself to do no harm in its activities on this land.  With much aloha we offer this land acknowledgement to welcome everyone who gathers here today.”

LWV Hawai`i County again supported Hawaii History Day, a program of Hawaii Council for the Humanities, vote counts, Vote411 and voter registrations.  LWV Honolulu conducted a vote count, created “Making Democracy Work” TV episodes, and is in the final stages of closing the Hotel Street office.

The State Capitol re-opened to the public. Legislative Committee members continued to submit written testimony and testify remotely. Program chairs Laurie Tomchak (Criminal Justice), Beppie Shapiro (Economic Justice), Rosemarie Muller (Education and Redistricting), and Holly Plackett (Voter Education and Access) reported successes such as a higher minimum wage, elimination of cash bail for those charged with non-violent crimes (since vetoed), funding for Hawaiian Homes, and a League-sponsored webinar on Redistricting. To get more League members involved, the president was urged to issue Action Alerts during the legislative session.

Thanks to the LWVHI board for their work making democracy work: VP Rosemarie Muller, Treasurer Barbara Service, appointed Secretary Christopher Edwards, LWV Hawai`i County Co-Presidents Helen Hemmes and Chuck Greenfield, LWV Honolulu President Beppie Shapiro, Directors Mary (Kit) Afable, Rosemary Craven, Julie Dugan, Ruth Robison and Laurie Tomchak, and LWV Honolulu Delegate Christopher Edward, LWVHC Delegate Carolyn Murray and LWVHC Alternate Delegate Nina Eejima.  Thanks to LWVHC members Michele Mitsumori and Keola Downing for facilitating the virtual meeting and Robert Morrison for airport shuttle.

by Donna Oba, LWV Hawaii President