Update, Oct. 26: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda is scheduled to participate in the event. Also, a new flyer has been added to the bottom of the article.
University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu students will have the chance to engage in brief, one-on-one conversations with elected leaders at REAL TALK: Speed Chats with Elected Leaders, an event taking place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at UH West O‘ahu’s James & Abigail Campbell Library, second-floor exhibition space.
REAL TALK provides participants an opportunity to meet local decision-makers face-to-face to ask questions, share their perspectives, and learn how their voices and choices can shape Hawai‘i’s future. In addition to these conversations, the event will include resources on civic engagement and online voter registration.
REAL TALK features an address by Hawai‘i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and “speed chats” with the following elected leaders:
- U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, Hawai‘i’s Second Congressional District: includes suburban and rural parts of O‘ahu, the islands of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, Ni‘ihau, Kaho‘olawe, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
- Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti, House District 20: Lē‘ahi, Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu
- Rep. Jeanne Kapela, House District 5: portions of Kea‘au and Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Fern Forest, Volcano, Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu, Hawaiian Ocean View, Ho‘okena
- Rep. Amy Perruso, House District 46: portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, Waialua, Mokule‘ia
- Rep. Sean Quinlan, House District 47: Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waiale‘e, Kawela Bay, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana
- Rep. Jackson Sayama, House District 21: St. Louis Heights, Pālolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī
The event is hosted by the UH West O‘ahu Center for Labor Education & Research (CLEAR), James & Abigail Campbell Library, and Libraries Inspire Thinking (LIT) Club.
CLEAR Director Dion Dizon said the event aims to highlight the value of everyone’s vote and the privilege and responsibility of citizenship.
“From a labor perspective, collective action is rooted in community and attention to what’s really going on,” Dizon said. “A few years ago, I came across an alarming survey result that stuck with me: 64% of Americans cannot name the three branches of government. From there, it just gets worse, i.e. more citizens could name American Idol judges than could name any freedoms in the First Amendment.”
Dion continued, “Civic literacy and proficiency develops community because each of us is meant to play a role in our own governance, starting with our vote. Participation in governance critically impacts the social and economic wellbeing and career opportunities for working people.”
REAL TALK: Speed Chats with Elected Leaders is open to all UH West O‘ahu students, faculty, and staff, and the general public. To attend, register by clicking here or by scanning the QR code in the flyer below. For more information about the event, call 808-689-2760 or email clear@hawaii.edu.
