Under blue skies and shady palms, the community gathered on June 29 at Hilo Bayfront for the 2024 Hawaiʻi Island LGBTQ+ Pride Festival at Moʻoheau Park and Bandstand. Mahalo nui to our League members Ruth Robison and Shana Kukila for organizing our voter registration and education booth at the festival as a partnership between LWVHC and the Hawai’i County Committee on the Status of Women (CSW).       

League of Hawai’i County Co-President Michele Mitsumori, Robison, and Brad Clark staffed the booth.  A total of 12 people successfully registered to vote. Some had said they moved, and at least one was a first-time voter. There was some discouragement from the recent presidential debate.  In answer to that, Robison gave a stern reminder of the importance of County and State elections as well. Hundreds of postcards were distributed, and people were often surprised to hear that primary election ballots would be mailed in three weeks. People appreciated hearing about VOTE411.org, and several expressed dismay at the difficulty of getting information about candidates in elections, as well as the lack of forums or other ways to get to know candidates aside from the mayoral race.

League members Donna Oba and Brad Clark stopped by after a training earlier in the morning for volunteer election observers. Thank you both, for supporting our elections in this valuable way! Volunteers are always welcome to join these election activities.

Shana Kukila

Mahalo nui to all our volunteers for your participation in the election process!