By The Way...

Olelo Community Television and the State Office of Elections are initiating “VOTE! 2004,” a series of cable television programs that will air over the next four months intended to increase voter turnout and create a more informed electorate. According to post-2002 election Census data, only 45.4 percent of Hawaii’s eligible voters voted in 2002 - lower than the national average — and only 53.1 percent were even registered, the lowest figure in the nation.

VOTE! 2004 comprises three initiatives:

• “What’s Your Vote?” - a series of forums where concerned citizens discuss local issues,

• “Candidates in Focus” - opportunities for candidates to air their positions on issues, and

• “Candidates Debate” - a succession of 40 live debates between those vying for office.

“Candidates in Focus” allows candidates to tape and air an unedited, uninterrupted, seven-minute message. All candidates who are eligible for the general election will be invited to participate. The messages will air three weeks before the election.

All VOTE! 2004 programs will be cablecast on VIEWS Channel 54. For more information, visit www.olelo.org.

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The Allstate Foundation has a-warded a grant of $5,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii - Hale Pono Clubhouse. Funds will be used to support the organization’s “Goals for Growth” program. The program fits in perfectly with the Allstate Foundation’s safe and vital communities focus area.

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Students have recently completed Bishop Museum’s July Na Kumu Hula Workshop on Friday, July 23. The three-day hula workshop was led by world-renowned Kumu Hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Students received certificates of accomplishment, acknowledging that they learned moolelo (the act of telling stories surrounding the hula number), e hula mai (the teaching of hula basics) and hoopuka (the implementation of choreographed dance), among other skills. Participants performed mele, chant and hula at a celebratory HoIke.

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Hawaiian Tug & Barge (HTB) has hired Ed McCain as harbor operations manager. He is responsible for overseeing and directing all harbor crew operations. McCain’s professional experience includes 20 years with Crowley Maritime Corp., where he managed vessels in
petroleum service, salvage operations and ship escorting.

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Hawaii Pizza Hut has awarded $105,000 in grants to four Hawaii organizations that provide literacy programs.

  Read Aloud America, Inc. will receive a $50,000 grant from to implement its family literacy program.

  Hawaii Public Television will use a $25,000 grant to support its “Between the Lions” literacy program.

  Hawaii Technology Institute (HTI) will expand and enhance the literacy component of its Career Transition Program (CTP) with a $15,000  grant.

  Mutual Assistance Associations Center will use a $15,000 grant to purchase a network computer server and educational software.

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The 6th annual Bernice Pauahi Bishop Awards Dinner was a sold-out success, raising more than $300,000 for Bishop Museum and honoring two outstanding community members. Bert A. Kobayashi (right) received the Charles Reed Bishop Medal and J.W.A. “Doc” Buyers received the Robert J. Pfeiffer Medal. Celebrating Bernice Pauahi Bishop and her legacy through Bishop Museum, the awards dinner featured a gourmet sit down dinner, elaborate silent auction, entertainment, awards program, diamond ring giveaway, and the unveiling of treasured items from Pauahiıs personal collection. Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a memorial to his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

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Correction: On page four of the August 2004 issue we incorrectly listed the phone number for the La Mariana Sailing Club, the correct phone number should have been 848-2800. We regret the error.