What do award winning musicians Paula Fuga, Amy Hanaialiʻi, Izik, Kimié Miner, Hawane Rios, and Glenn Awong of Maoli have in common? They all want you to VOTE! These local recording artists have added their voices and their mana to OHA’s Aloha Rising campaign. The campaign encourages Native Hawaiians, ages 18 to 40, to ʻauamo kuleana and vote in the 2020 General Election.
Each artist shares their personal motivation to vote in a series of three videos designed to encourage kānaka to have a voice in shaping our future by voting in Hawaiʻi’s 2020 General Election.
“As a Native Hawaiian, as a female, as a mother, and as someone who loves and cares about the future of Hawaiʻi, I vote because my voice matters,” said Grammy-nominated producer and singer-songwriter Kimié Miner.
While some artists noted their families as major motivators to vote, others referred to voting as a privilege that should not be taken for granted.
“I vote because once upon a time it was against the law for a woman to vote,” said musical artist and composer Paula Fuga. “I vote for the leaders I believe will inspire positive change for our lāhui, and you should too.”
In Hawai‘i’s 2020 Primary Election more than 400,000 voted setting a record high for participation. We need to continue that trend in the General Election because we have big decisions to make on the political leadership that will carry us forward.
“This may be the most important election of our time. Iʻm a father of three. I vote for my keiki. I vote for my ʻohana and I vote for a brighter future of Hawaiʻi,” said Glenn Awong leader singer, song writer and founder of Maoli.
The ads are being shared on TV and social media in the days leading up to Election Day, Nov. 3. View the videos here.
The video ads were created via a partnership between Haku Collective and OHA’s Aloha Rising campaign. This Saturday, Oct. 24, the collaboration continues with Mele in Hawaiʻi, an online concert that will be live streamed on the OHA Facebook page at 4 pm. Kimié Miner, Glenn Awong of Maoli, and Likkle Jordee will perform while comedian Zavier Cummings will host the concert.
All registered voters are reminded to place their completed ballots in the mail by Oct. 27. After Oct. 27, ballots should be placed in a ballot drop box. Registration and same day voting is also available at voter service centers. Find the voter service center and ballot drop boxes nearest to you at olvr.hawaii.gov.All ballots must be received by 7:00 pm on Election Day, Nov. 3, in order to be counted.
