Get Out the Vote! Public Candidate Event Success

WAILUKU, MAUI – On Saturday, July 18th, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) hosted the Get Out the Vote community event at Queen Kaahumanu Center. This non-partisan event gave the public an opportunity to learn about the election process and meet nineteen candidates running for office! Thirteen-thousand and seven-hundred people who walked through the center that day had the opportunity to meet with candidates from 1 – 3pm.

"Queen Kaʻahumanu Center has always been more than a shopping center – it’s a gathering place for the community," said Kauwela Shultz, General Manager of Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. "We're grateful to support opportunities that encourage civic engagement and help ensure our Maui residents have the information and resources they need to participate in the democratic process."

Campaigns in attendance included (in no particular order):

• Alan Lloyd, Campaign for Maui Council
• Ashley Olson for West Maui
• Friends of Dan Johnson
• Friends of Derrick W Cabiles
• Friends of Elle
• Friends of Jon Yokouchi
• Friends of Kauanoe Batagan
• Friends of Marvin Moniz
• Friends of Randy Konohia
• Friends of Richard Bissen
• Friends of Sne Patel
• Friends of Tom Cook
• Friends of Tyson Miyake
• Friends of Yuki Lei Sugimura
• Gary Cordery for Governor
• Travis Bumanglag
• Vote for Carol Lee Kamekona
• Vote Sheila Walker
• Vote Uncle Bobby

MHLA provided voter application pamphlets published in multiple languages, Maui Nui Empowered provided flyers with voter education and links to register for voting in Hawaii, while Queen Kaahumanu Center co-sponsored the event. Light entertainment was provided on center stage by musician Vaughn Razo and Mayor Richard Bissen surprised on lookers with an impromptu performance, accompanied by his wife’s hula.

“Elections are how Maui residents can shape the future,” says John Pele, Executive Director of MHLA. “We hope this opportunity brought awareness and interest in the political process.”

MHLA encourages residents to register for the upcoming primary election taking place August 8th online or in person. For more information on how to register or where to cast a vote, visit the Office of Elections website.

Photo 1: Candidate Tables in Queen Kaahumanu Center

Photo 2: Candidate interactions (seen here is Tyson Miyake & Kauanoe Batagan)

Photo 3: Cordery for Governor with his Maui Campaign

Media Credit: Gilbert Advertising. Assets available in the Dropbox link here.

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MHLA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provideseducational opportunities via the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, scholarships for UH Maui College students and benefits for the community via annual events like the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education Golf Tournament and Kupuna Appreciation Events. Nonprofit grant applications, donation commitment forms and informationare available on the website www.mauihla.org. For more information, email [email protected].