Rallies, Bus Tours Gearing Up For General Election

The Nov. 6 general election is right around the corner and political parties are gearing up with a variety of activities.

The Democratic Party said its top leaders will hold an election rally Thursday in West Hawaii featuring Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Congresswoman and US Senate candidate Mazie Hirono and Democratic candidates for office in West Hawaii.

The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Konawaena High School cafeteria.

On Friday, Hirono, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz and Democratic candidates for East Hawaii offices will be taking a bus tour beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending with a celebration at 5:30 p.m. at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lu`au Hale in Hilo where Abercrombie will also participate.

The bus tour’s schedule is:

• Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
• North Hawaii Educational Research Center in Honokaa from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences Public Charter School in Pahoa from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m
• Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lu`au Hale from 5:30 to 7:39 p.m.

And has long been their tradition, Democrats will be gathering on election eve Nov. 5 for the Democratic Party’s Grand Rally at Hilo’s Mooheau Park Bandstand.

The theme of this year’s edition of the 50-year tradition is “Forward in Unity.”

Refreshments will be served and entertainment on tap will include taiko drummers, the Beamer-Solomon Hula Halau and pop sensation Anuhea as the headliner.

Supporters for the various candidates will be sign-waving along Kamehameha Avenue beginning at 3:30 p.m., with the program and speeches getting underway at 5:00 p.m. The event will be streamed live over the internet at http://new.livestream.com/hawaii-democratic-party.

For the less traditional politically inclined, there will also be a “Peaceful Community Action” held by The FREE HAWAII Movement on election eve.

Kanaka maoli, Big Island residents, “aloha-centered” organizations and tourists are invited to come down to the King Kamehameha statue at Hilo’s bayfront, the organization said in a statement.

Activities will include music as well as sign-waving and speeches aimed at supporting truth, justice and freedom, the statement said. Topics to be discussed will include genetically modified organisms, military occupation, geothermal energy and the Public Lands Development Corp.

Organizers said further information is available at http://www.facebook.com/FreeHawaiiNow.