Demystify government, empower the people

To get better participation in a government that’s supposed to be for the people and by the people, those people need to know how the government operates and who is in charge so they aren’t so afraid or too disillusioned to get involved.

A local nonprofit wants to demystify Kaua‘i County’s government altogether.

Holomua Collective, in collaboration with Kaua‘i County, is hosting an event this Thursday meant to empower island residents with more knowledge about their government, teaching them how it works so they can have more engaging civic lives.

“Demystifying Government — Kaua‘i County: How It Works and Why It Works” brings members of the Garden Isle government and Kaua‘i representatives from state government together with people from the private, nonprofit and labor sectors.

Program participants will include:

• Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami.
• Kaua‘i County Council Chairman Mel Rapozo.
• Kaua‘i County Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama.
• Hawai‘i state Rep. Luke Evslin.
• 5th Circuit District Family Court Judge Gregory Meyers.
• 5th Circuit Deputy Chief Court Administrator Ro Kaing.

The free event is open to the public and slated for Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Līhu’e Public Library, located at 4344 Hardy Street.

Space is limited to 30, so registration is required.

Those who attend are asked to stay for the entire program. Lunch will be provided.

This is the third program in the “Demystifying Government” series.

Previous events were hosted on Hawai‘i Island and for the state government on O‘ahu. Additional programs are being planned for Maui County and the City and County of Honolulu.