ISLAND VOICES
It's time to weed out candidates

Kekailoa Perry teaches Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

It happens every election year. My family sits around a picnic table and interrogates me about which candidates I'd endorse for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or for governor.

The general rule in my ohana is that we go for the candidates who appear to represent the grassroots. The trouble is, we're not sure what they look and sound like. After much analysis, thanks to my background in political science, Hawaiian studies and gardening, I've decided a grassroots candidate is someone who resembles, well, grass — that is, healthy grass.

Anyone who has ever planted or attempted to plant a lawn should know what I'm talking about. The three basic ingredients for a successful lawn are fertile soil, water and sunlight, and the same goes for a grassroots candidates. Allow me to explain:

First of all, the soil has to be rich in nutrients. Some soils require a lot more manure than others. However, for many on this year's candidate roster, there's too much "organic matter," which can make for a foul and soggy foundation.

Next comes water. Too much of it causes flooding and too little causes a drought. In a well-watered yard, grass roots can spread, sprout new nodes and eventually blanket the soil in a green cover that is soft to the soles of the feet. A well-watered candidate is one whose ego is healthy and doesn't need to be flooded with flattery or fed by power. Such a candidate's roots spread and fix themselves firmly in the soil.

And finally, sunlight, that energy source that draws the grass in the direction of its warm mana. Like the sun, a grassroots candidate can lift the dregs of society upward and help them thrive. A sunny candidate is welcomed by the people and will respond with compassion.

But beware of the weeds. By nature, they're opportunistic systems that take advantage of the wind and other elements to spread their wily roots. You can spot a weed because it grows above the grass roots, stealing the sunlight and disrupting the soil with its thorny seeds.

If it's not nipped in the bud, it can destroy a perfectly healthy lawn. The trick in this election is to distinguish the grass roots from the weeds. Right now, I see few grass roots as we head into the primaries.

As far as the governor and OHA races go, weeds are everywhere, and I've enlisted my family to start pulling. I suggest voters take care to find the weeds and yank them out before they start putting down roots.