Posted on: Friday, January 14, 2005
Candidates still needed for neighborhood boards
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
People who are interested in running for one of O'ahu's 32 neighborhood boards must file their applications with the Neighborhood Commission by Tuesday. As of Wednesday, only 300 candidates had filed for the 444 open neighborhood board seats.
Neighborhood board candidate forms are available at satellite city halls, public libraries, on the commission's Web site at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/nco/ or at the Neighborhood Commission Office, Room 400, Honolulu Hale. Forms must be postmarked or delivered in person to the commission office by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Neighborhood board elections are held every two years by mail-in ballot. Members serve for free and there are no filing fees. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and live in the neighborhood where they are running.
The citizen boards get people involved in government policy at the community level and make recommendations to local government agencies, Spray said.
"There is a lot of learning done by the board members," Spray said. "You hear about what goes on in your own community and you have the opportunity to increase your own personal knowledge in addition to helping the community prioritize and really be involved."
About 280,000 ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on O'ahu in mid-March and must be returned by April 18. Results will be announced May 1.
The boards have served as a launching pad for community activists and political leaders and their decisions help guide elected officials in making decisions on projects and municipal planning. Former board members include U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i; City Council members Donovan Dela Cruz and Charles Djou; and state Rep. Kirk Caldwell, D-24th Dist. (Manoa).
Jim Moylan is a first-time candidate running for the 'Ewa Beach board. Moylan runs a small business in the area and is married with two children.
"My kids go to school here and I feel it is important to work with the community," Moylan said. " 'Ewa Beach is such a small community and lending a hand can make a big difference. If everybody does a little bit, things work out."
Moylan said he already attends board meetings and has no further political ambitions.
"The boards need experienced people, but we still need people with new ideas to come in, and I've been encouraging others to run," he said. "If I don't win, I will still attend meetings and take part in the community."
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
"That means we will be short people for positions," said Elwin Spray, elections assistant with the Neighborhood Commission office. "One of the things that happens however is that the boards themselves are able to fill vacancies. We would prefer if the citizens themselves fill the vacancies. We hope there is enough of a selection that the community is able to make a choice amongst people."
Due on Tuesday
