"We the Powerful!"

Discover the Public's Power in the Legislative Process

News Release from Public Access Room

This November and December, the Public Access Room (the “PAR”) will conduct a series of free Neighbor Island workshops entitled, We the Powerful!  These meetings are designed to demystify the State lawmaking process, and will demonstrate ways that you can speak out at the legislature without ever having to leave your home island.  All are welcome.  No registration or prior experience is required.

• Part 1 (1st hour): How the Legislative Process Works (and How to Work It)
• Part 2 (2nd hour): Digging Deeper (interactive session) - Delving further into the legislature's website.

People are welcome to attend either or both sessions.

The PAR, a division of the State of Hawaii’s non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau, is the public’s office at the State Capitol and has long been devoted to assisting residents as they engage in State legislative government. There is never a fee for services.

PAR’s workshops are designed to be useful to both newcomers and veterans of the legislative process.  Covered topics will include an overview of the Legislature’s newly-redesigned website, understanding the legislative process, delivering effective testimony, and making sense of the calendar and deadlines.  Renewed inspiration to be part of the solution will be the overriding theme.

For additional information, or to arrange for individual tutorials or group workshops, residents are invited to contact the Public Access Room toll free from Kauai at 274 3141 ext.70478, from Maui at 984-2400 ext. 70478, and from Hawaii Island at 974-4000 ext. 70478, or via email at par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Please contact PAR directly well in advance to make arrangements if special assistance or services such as sign language interpreters are needed.

Workshop Material

• RSS feed information sheet (pdf, 275KB)
• Written Testimony: The Bare Basics (pdf, 75kB)
• Hawaii Legislature's Website: A Guide (pdf, 400kB)
• PAR Flyer
• We the Powerful (Powerpoint slideshow/20MB); incudes a guide to the Legislature's new website.
• We the Powerful (pdf/9MB) - to access notes to select pages on this pdf edition of our presentation, place your cursor over the little dialogue bubble icon at the top of the page. To keep notes open, double-click the bubble icon. Incudes a guide to the Legislature's new website.

Download excerpts from, A Participant's Guide to Hawaii State Legislative Process:

• Organization & Function of the Legislature
• Walk through Session - Learn about... bills, deadlines, committees, testimony and so much more!