October 2024 Gleanings
Great events coming and going
Our most recent successful event is in the books, and we're on to the next!
Now we're planning our Torch of Light luncheon with this year's winner, retired Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Daniel Foley. You can find the link to sign up at www.bigislandpressclub.org.
While you're there, don't forget to renew your membership and pay your dues! Have news to share? Just email Gleanings editor Nancy Cook Lauer at nclauer@gmail.com for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
We're working on a slate of officers for 2025. Interested in being on the board or joining a committee? Email nclauer@gmail.com or our president, Tiffany Edwards Hunt at newswoman@mac.com.
Next Meeting: 9 a.m. Oct. 12 via Zoom. Email newswoman@mac.com for a link.
Message from the President
"Maybe you’ve heard the buzz, but we had a fabulous mayoral forum at the Hilo Yacht Club. If you were not able to make it, I wish you would’ve listened to me and bought your ticket.
There are so many things to brag about that event, but the kudos really does go to Bob and Bob’s vision for the event. I believe that Bob should get a member of the year award for his planning of that event.
Those of you who attended, I hope you agree with me. We definitely drew a lot of attention to ourselves as a press club, and we actually proved to be very relevant and a necessary group that has all eyes on the government. "
Mahalo to our event sponsors
Our sponsors help us put quality events together and fund scholarships.
Join them at www.bigislandpressclub.org
Students participate
As panelists, speakers, videographers, photographers and reporters, we had students everywhere!
We're highlighting both of BIPC's two primary missions: promoting transparency in government and enabling student success through scholarships, internships and events.
Special Mahalo to KVIKS Media and New West Broadcasting
Miss the live broadcast? Watch the full recording:
— YouTube: https://youtu.be/kymeuUa-rFM
— Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigIslandPressClub/videos/1924606424714402
— Listen at KWXX FM: https://bit.ly/3BxEHkN
"We also helped to highlight our club’s noble mission of ensuring transparency in government. I am sure this event will have a follow up and we potentially will have another event related to whichever mayoral candidate prevails and their hundred days in office. Stay tuned for that!
Next up is our Torch of Light event in December, and hopefully you have gotten your tickets for that. We are also hard at work trying to get donations for our online auction, which hopefully you have seen! We are still in need donations in order for our auction to do its job which is to raise funds for the scholarship. If you have any ideas on products or services that can be donated for the auction, we welcome your help.
Moving forward and looking ahead into the new year, please reach out to Nancy Cook Lauer if you’re interested in serving on our board. We do have a number of board directors who are bowing out for this next iteration and we are hoping that some of you will step forward and make a commitment to help the club at the board level. We aren’t asking for much, just your presence at our monthly Zoom meetings and, bonus, if you can help us to plan events and help stoke the fire of excitement for them. Thank you so much for your support of our club and we wish you a happy holiday season to come!"
Aloha from your president
Tiffany Edward Hunt
Two UH Hilo poli-sci students to serve as official observers on Election Day
By Susan Enright
Amaya Hirata and Kawai Smith will represent the Big Island Press Club, serving as the “eyes and ears” of the public at the counting center in Hilo, Nov. 5.
Official observers test the voting equipment and monitor the handling and security of ballots. Before working at the counting center, the observers are asked to attend an orientation, read the work area manual, and test and certify the voting equipment.
“Being able to serve this role, I feel like I am benefiting my community in a very meaningful way,” says Hirata.
Smith echoes that feeling, saying the role is a “great way for me to contribute while being part of something meaningful.”
Hirata and Smith attended an orientation workshop on Monday and will each have a 12-hour work shift on Election Day for which the county offers a stipend.
“In particular, among the approximately 20 official observers in the county, Amaya and Kawai will be representing Big Island media as the media observers,” says Su-Mi Lee, professor of political science and advisor to the students. “They have been invited to test the voting equipment in October, twice, and are tasked with observing the various stations processing ballots, including opening and counting ballots, on Election Day.”
“The county officials are excited that our young students are interested in volunteering at the counting center,” adds Lee. “Through this opportunity, both students will gain invaluable experience and learn about the workings of the election process firsthand.”
Lee says Nancy Cook Lauer, retired local journalist and current advisor for the UH Hilo student newspaper Ke Kalahea, was instrumental in the students becoming official observers on behalf of the Big Island Press Club. “She thought our political science students would represent Big Island media well and extended the invitation.”
Extraordinarily important role
Hirata says the role as an official observer is extraordinarily important and ensures a transparent and trustworthy election. She hopes the experience will bring her a stronger connection to her community.
“This experience means a lot to me,” Hirata says. “I have always felt that voting in elections is extremely important. As a young person, I feel very grateful to be given this opportunity because I will be actively involved in the election process.”
Hirata also says that through the experience, she hopes to learn more about how elections are run, and to be an inspiration for other students to participate in the election process.
Kawai also sees the experience as an opportunity to see first-hand how an organization operates from the inside.
“I’m eager to learn from everyone around me and see how various roles come together to create something impactful,” she says. “I’m also looking forward to sharpening my communication and teamwork skills, as I believe that hands-on experiences are invaluable for personal and professional growth.”
“Connecting with people in this field also excites me, as I think building those connections could lead to great opportunities down the line, whether it’s collaborating on projects or gaining mentorship,” she adds.
Professor Lee says that by design, the democratic system requires citizen participation.
“Without our participation in a political process such as this type of volunteer work, democracy cannot stay healthy,” she says. “Students learn about the election process and the concept of fair election in the classroom. Now this volunteer opportunity will show them how such fair election processes are protected; each counting center recruits official observers like them to ensure fair and free elections.”
Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
Reprinted with permission from the Office of the Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
2024 Big Island Press Club Board
Please feel free to contact any board members with your suggestions, or if you wish to volunteer!
President: Tiffany Edwards Hunt, former journalist, middle school teacher
newswoman@mac.com
Vice President: John Burnett, journalist, Tribune-Herald <jburnett@hawaiitribuneherald.
com>
Treasurer: Bob Duerr, filmmaker and journalist, Hawaii Fishing News <surf77@me.com>
Secretary: Nancy Cook Lauer, retired journalist, blogger www.allhawaiinews.com
<nclauer@gmail.com>
Director: Ross Wilson, PR, Current Events rossw@current-events.com
Director: Royelen Lee Boykie, retired digital strategist and fundraiser
<Royelen@bigislandpressclub.org>
Director: Patsy Iwasaki, professor, University of Hawaii-Hilo
<piwasaki@hawaii.edu>
Director: Jim Wilson, retired publisher, Hawaii Tribune-Herald jimwilsonvolcanocottage@gmail.com
Immediate Past President: Michael Phillips, meteorologist & earth science news reporter mphillips@weatherboy.com
