Oct. 18, 2022

Kamehameha Schools and other Native Hawaiian-serving organizations have organized a series of events to promote the importance of voter turnout and civic engagement.

Dubbed, “Walk to the Box", these events aim to encourage the broader Native Hawaiian community to vote in the upcoming Nov. 8 general election and also to highlight the importance of participating in the electoral process. Gatherings are scheduled to take place on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu.

These events are held in collaboration with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Ka Leo O Nā ʻŌpio - KONO, Papa Ola Lokahi, Kanaeokana, the Native Hawaiian Education Council, Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, Kanu ʻo ka ʻĀina and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

The 2022 ʻImi Pono Hawaiʻi Well-being Survey – conducted by Kamehameha Schools, Liliʻuokalani Trust, The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Papa Ola Lōkahi found that 87% of Native Hawaiians plan to vote in the upcoming 2022 general election.

Furthermore, the survey finds that Native Hawaiians have unique civic assets and are significantly more likely than non-Hawaiians to participate in community events or activities and address community issues.

“As rising leaders in our community, we have a responsibility to ensure that future generations of Hawaiians have the opportunity to continue living here in Hawaiʻi,” said Cheyenne Sato, a senior at Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i. “Now is the best time to act. We need to first, be educated, and second, vote. We need leaders who will fight for the issues that matter most to the people of Hawai‘i. Participating in these elections is critical to achieving that goal.”