Posted on: Sunday, January 19, 2003

EDITORIAL
Neighborhood boards could use your help

The deadline for filing candidacy papers for Honolulu's neighborhood boards is Jan. 21, and we urge community-minded residents with smarts, ideas and energy to apply.

Although there may be flaws with the neighborhood board system, it remains the most direct democratic, grassroots route for bringing concerns to the city powers.

And let's face it. Without neighborhood boards and their watchdogs, we might be in the dark about big-ticket projects in the works. Besides, where would we be without a clear channel to propose community projects to the city?

Sure, it's an unpaid two-year position and requires a few sacrifices here and there. But it's a great way to acquaint yourself with the art of politics. And if politics turns our to be your calling, those boards are not a bad stepping stone into higher office.

There are 444 neighborhood board seats up for election. As of Tuesday, 194 Honolulu residents had filed candidacy forms. So why not give it a whirl? Your neighborhood needs you.