News Release from Hawaii County Democratic Party

The Hawaii County Democratic Party convention – set for May 18 and May 19 at Kilauea Military Camp in Volcano’s national park – will feature speeches by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz as well as Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.   

State legislators will also be in attendance, giving updates on the outcome of this year’s legislative session while serving on afternoon forums tackling such issues as alternate energy and green financing, the future of agriculture in Hawaii, the working poor, education and the University of Hawaii system, healthcare in Hawaii under Obamacare, and geothermal, the science and where its development in Hawaii is headed.

Congresswoman Hanabusa, State Sens. Gil Kahele, Russ Ruderman and Malama Solomon will give forum presentations as will State Rep. Nicole Lowen.

Other forum speakers include Jim Kauahikaua, chief scientist for Hawaii Volcano Observatory; Paul Ponthieux, director of sustainability initiatives for Blue Planet; Steve Holmes, Dist. 6 chair and former Honolulu councilman; Barbara Franklin, attorney and ACLU member; and Howard Ainsley, Hilo Medical Center CEO. Steve Hirakami, Tony Marzi, Sandra Scarr will also make forum presentations.

The findings and recommendations of the State Tax Commission as they relate to the financial crisis facing many aspects of state and county services will be addressed by Randy Iwase, Tax Commission chair, on the first morning of the convention.

The opening day’s agenda, all set for KMC’s Ohia Room, includes election of officers for the Democrats’ Hawaii County Central Committee and the State Central Committee.   

Other attractions for this off-election year convention include a free musical performance as well as a meeting of newly organized Young Democrats, beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. As a means of building the party and encouraging political involvement by the younger generation, delegates are asked to each bring a young person as their convention guest to the convention. Native Hawaiian Commission and voter registration signup tables will be available.

Music by El Leo & the Jarican Express will have Democrats young and old taking to the dance floor 7-9 p.m.in the Lava Lounge.

The Sunday morning program offers presentations by Kai Kahele and Micah Alameda, Sen. Kahele’s campaign managers, on the use of social media in politics and David Tarnas, offering a Users’ Guide to Citizen Advocates of Hawaii Legislature. The convention will wind up with Phil Barnes and Steve Pavao providing training on HCDP roles and rules, including training for district and precinct officers.

Convention registration is $35 and must be paid by May 11. The registration fee covers the buffet luncheon and morning refreshments. There is a $10 fee for the young guests and other observers to cover the luncheon.

2013 Hawaii County Democratic Party Convention

Kilauea Military Camp, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Saturday, May 18, 2013 ‐ 8 am ‐ 9 pm

Sunday, May 19, 2013 – 9 – 11 am

No park entry fees: Those without Senior or other Park passes can print form included in online registration packet and hand in to ranger at gate for free entry. HVNP says it will not accept a list of convention attendees.

Table displays honoring the late U.S. Senator Inouye and State Rep. Helene Hale, tables for the Kanaiolowalu Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, voter registration and caucus handouts will be up throughout the day

SATURDAY, MAY 18

8 – 9 am Registration, Coffee & Networking

Delegates take seats by District at 8:55 a.m

Steve Pavao, Hawaii County Democratic Party Chair, will emcee the convention

9 ‐ 9:15 am Pule and Invocation – David Heaukulani

Pledge of Allegiance, “Star Spangled Banner” & “Hawai’i Ponoi”

9:15 am – Welcome – Steve Pavao, Hawaii County Democratic Party Chair

Will include a moment of silence in remembrance of the late Sen. Inouye and the late Helene Hale, as well as to inform the membership of the passing of Kawika Marquez

9:20 — 9:45 am – U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz

9:45 am – Credentials report – Ernie Gionatti

9:50 – 10:30 am ‐ Kenny Goodenow, Nominations Chair, will introduce candidates for the 15 seats for HCDP officers and SCC reps

Candidates who choose to speak get 2 minutes each

10:45 am – Election

11 am – Randy Iwase, speaking on Findings and Recommendations of Tax Commission

(regarding Hawaii’s financial crisis and what it means for state and county services and facilities)

11:45 am – Announcement of election results

11:55 am– Adjournment of Business Meeting, invitation to afternoon, evening and Sunday agenda

Noon– 1 pm Lunch & Speaker: Gov. Abercrombie

1‐4:30 pm Forum presentations – (3 hour-long sets of 2 forums at a time, w/15 min. breaks in between)

1-2 pm — Alternate energy and green financing, with speakers Rep. Nicole Lowen with a legislative update re: energy bills; Steve Holmes regarding green financing ; and Paul Ponthieux of Blue Planet;

OR

Working poor: Consumer protection from check-cashing schemes, foreclosures, minimum wage, elderly needs, with Sen. Gil Kahele and Barbara Franklin, attorney and ACLU member; and former Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim;

2:15-3:15 pm – Healthcare: What’s Hawaii facing w/Obamacare, privatization of state hospitals, 2013 legislative update featuring U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Howard Ainsley, Hilo Medical Center CEO;

OR

Geothermal: The Science and what’s come out of the 2013 Legislature, with HVO chief scientist Jim Kauahikaua, Sen. Russ Ruderman and one more unconfirmed speaker;

3:30-4:30 pm – Education: Hawaii’s Expensive Dirty Secrets in Education, with Steve Hirakami, director of HAAS, a Puna public charter school, Sandra Scarr on West Hawaii’s education needs, and Sen. Malama Solomon with a public policy overview of the University of Hawaii, its special funds and taking back autonomy;

OR

The Future of Agriculture in Hawaii, with Sen. Russ Ruderman addressing value-added small scale food ventures, Tony Marzi discussing technological solutions to challenges facing Hawaii’s local farm system;

4:30 pm – Forum adjournment.

6-8 pm – Young Dems meeting in the Lava Lounge

7-9 pm – El Leo & the Jarican Express performing live in the Lava Lounge (free music—no-host bar)

SUNDAY, MAY 19

9 – 11 am – Breakfast and presentations in Crater Rim cafeteria/Lava Lounge

Presentations to include:

· Kai Kahele and Micah Alameda, State Sen. Kahele’s campaign chair and deputy, on Use of Social Media in Politics;

· David Tarnas’s User’s Guide for Citizen Advocates of Hawaii Legislature;

* Steve Pavao and Phil Barnes offering HCDP officers (including district and precinct) training

* Group discussion: How to attract and nurture new membership

Buffet lunch will be held in the Convention Room; breakfasts and evening meal is individual responsibility but KMC cafeteria will be open throughout the weekend except for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

KMC guest facilities are available for overnight. The HCDP has rented a 3-bedroom apartment and can rent more but those wanting the communal rental need to call Frankie Stapleton at 965-8945 to make reservations.

Individuals and couples wanting to rent their own cabins need to make reservations with Denise Miller at 967-8333 and let her know you’re part of the Hawaii County Democratic Convention. Lots of activities for children within KMC.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiicountydemocrats.org