www.novotenogrumble.org
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Contact:
Randi Jeung
(808) 554-5360
rjeung@lanakilapacific.org
Marlena Willette
(808) 282-4727
mwillette@lanakilapacific.org
MAYORAL, CONGRESSIONAL & GUBENENETORIAL CANDIDATES
TO PARTICIPATE IN “NO VOTE NO GRUMBLE” FORUM ON AUG. 14
First Forum Focused on Hawaiian, Health, Human Services and Housing Issues
HONOLULU – www.novotenogrumble.org – Mayoral, congressional and gubernatorial candidates
including Neil Abercrombie, John Carroll, Mufi Hannemann, Colleen Hanabusa, Rhamsay Wharton, Kirk
Caldwell, Peter Carlisle, Panos Prevedouros and Rod Tam will discuss how they will work with the
nonprofit sector if elected in the first nonpartisan forum focused on Hawaiian, Health, Human Services
and Housing issues.
The free public forum is being staged by “No Vote, No Grumble” and PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawaii’s
Ohana, Children, Under Served, Elderly and Disabled) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, at the
University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies in Honolulu.
Mayoral candidates will answer questions from 10 to 11 a.m., candidates for the U.S. Congress
from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and gubernatorial candidates from 1 to 2 p.m. Jai Cunnningham
will moderate. Food, free parking and entertainment will be provided.
The audience will include participants and supporters from concerned social service agencies
who have agreed to work together with PHOCUSED to encourage the public to register to vote
and educate themselves in issues that that impact them and their families. Organizations
participating include Hawaiian Civics Clubs, Kamehameha Schools, Partners in Development
Foundation, Child and Family Services, YWCA, Goodwill Industries, Easter Seals, Lanakila
Pacific and Catholic Charities Hawaii.
“Since 2006, there has been a continual drop in participation in the electoral races in Hawaii and
the state has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the nation,” said Alex Santiago, Executive
Director of PHOCUSED. “We really saw how our elected officials’ decisions impacted us and
-more-
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“No Vote No Grumble” Forum on Aug. 14
our families this past year: furlough days, health care coverage, homelessness, crime, to name a
few. If we want to make a difference, we must let our voices be heard.”
PHOCUSED is a newly established nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing
the safety for, visibility of, and investment in children and adults in Hawaii who are
marginalized, impoverished, and underserved and for whom access to health, human services
and housing is critical.
During the 2010 legislative session, PHOCUSED educated and engaged consumer groups and
social service agencies on the importance of participating in public policy decisions.
PHOCUSED had a constant presence at the state capitol with rallies, an economic forum,
educating legislators and helping families tell their stories about the impact budget cuts were
having on their lives. It successfully brought together the health, human services and housing
groups to defend the safety net from further dismantling.
2010 is a critical election year. To make a difference, the voices of nonprofits must be heard.
The bottom line is: Those who don’t vote cannot grumble. To be heard, we must exercise our
right to vote.
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MEDIA NOTES:
Forum questions are attached for your information. Advanced interviews with “No Vote
No Grumble” organizers are available. A hospitality room will be available for media
interviews at the event and reserved parking may be arranged. Call Randi at 554-5360 or
Marlena at 282-4727.