Tag Archives: 2008

Politics

Register and Vote in Hawaii’s General Election on November 2008

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Typical polling places in Hawaii are elementary schools or community centers

If you live in Hawaii and want to vote in the November 4, 2008, General Election, there are several ways to register and vote. Many don’t involve any kind of line.  Voting has never been more convenient.  Here’s what to do:

1. Register to vote

IMPORTANT:The deadline to register for the Hawaii General Election is Monday, October 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM.

If you are already a registered voter in Hawaii and still reside in the state, there’s no need to re-register. If you haven’t voted before or moved since the last election, you can register in several ways:

  • Follow this link to the Hawaii Voter Registration website where you can download the registration form to complete and return by mail. This registration form is also available for free at every post office in Hawaii, satellite city halls, local libraries, phone books, state services offices and on University of Hawaii campuses.
  • Alternately, you can register to vote in person by going to the office of the City or County Clerk on the island where you reside. Follow this link for the fact sheet that contains address and telephone information for all counties.

2. Locate your polling place

If you decide to vote in person on election day, your polling place is determined by your address (which breaks down into State House district and precinct). The November 2008 General Election will be held on November 4th.  Most polling places open at 7:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM.  Be sure to check with your polling place for their specific hours of operation.

  • Once you are registered, you can use this interactive polling place locator to find out where to vote on election day
  • Typical polling places in Hawaii are neighborhood elementary schools or community centers

3. Vote

The tried and true way to vote is to show up in person. Be sure to bring a government-issued identification (like a passport or driver’s license). If you go early, the line is usually shorter.

But if you will be off island or can’t get away that day, you have two choices: walk-in voting at the county Clerks office or absentee voting by mail. If you walk-in, you can also register on the spot. But keep in mind that you can only walk-in before election day.

Absentee voting is also really easy. Once you’re registered, all you have to do is download, print, complete and return this application form. The County clerk will mail you a ballot to complete and mail back.

County clerks will accept absentee ballot applications from July 22, 2008 to October 28, 2008 for the General Election.

I am a huge fan of absentee voting and do it every time, even if I am around.  It’s just easier for me to fill out one piece of paper and mail it at my convenience. That way I don’t have to miss any of my afternoon surf session to do my civic duty.

For more details about what’s on this November’s ballot in Hawaii, see this entry.

Family, Science

Hawaii Students Advance to Final Rounds of National Science Competitions

This fall two young men from O’ahu have made the cut and will advance to final rounds of national science competitions.

Jack Uesugi was selected as one of ten finalists in this year’s Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, for creating a video that details the elements of a satellite’s orbit around planet Earth.  Jack will compete in the national competition in Washington, D.C., from October 4th to October 6th, 2008, for the chance to win a $50,000 U.S. Savings Bond, as well as earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist of the Year.”  NASA will host the competition finals at its world-renowned Goddard Space Flight Center.  Jack attends Island Pacific Academy.

(Jack Uesugi, finalist in the 2008 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge and student at Island Pacific Academy)

Judges selected Thomas Goodin as one of thirty finalists at the 2008 Society for Science & the Public Middle School Program science competition for his project, “Which Windmill Rotor Pitch Is the Most Efficient?” Thomas emerged as a finalist from more than 75,000 students who entered local science fairs nationwide during the last school year.  He is now on his way to Washington, D.C., to showcase his project at the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences on Sunday, October 19th.  Thomas attends Mid-Pacific Institute.

(Thomas Goodin with his display and finalist in the 2008 Society for Science & the Public Middle School Program, courtesy of Mid-Pacific Institute)

Congratulations and all the best to you both!

News, Politics

Biden Palin Comparison

Both presidential candidates announced their picks for Vice President this week. A closer look at the candidates for VP reveals stark differences worth paying attention to. Remember the veep is just one step away from the oval office. Here is how they compare in a nutshell.

Joe Biden, Barack Obama’s running mate and a Democrat, has been a senator since 1972 (36 years) and was first elected at age 29, making him the youngest person ever elected to the senate. He is chairman of the senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. His list of credits, issues and accomplishments is so long it takes up an entire website. He is from Delaware and is married with three children.

Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate and a Republican, has been governor of Alaska for almost two years. Before that she served as mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside of Anchorage. She has no national or international political experience and obtained her first passport in 2007. Her bio takes up a single web page, including pictures of her hunting (nice rack) and fishing. She is from Alaska and is married with five children.