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Pacific Resource Partnership, a nonprofit organization representing Hawaii’s largest construction union, is launching its second annual Partners for Democracy program today. This program aims to educate and empower 30 Hawaii residents on the fundamentals of political campaigning, public policy issues, and community advocacy.
In the previous year, 28 participants graduated from the program, and five of them went on to be elected to public office. State Representative Darius Kila (D, Honokai Hale-Nanakuli-Maili), one of the successful graduates, credits the PRP program and his fellow participants for inspiring his political career. He expressed his gratitude by saying, “I entered the program with no expectations but came out with a wealth of knowledge.”
During the 2022 session, a notable discussion focused on Hawaii’s declining middle class. This conversation had a significant influence on Kila’s legislative efforts in 2023, where he introduced a bill limiting real property purchases to Hawaii residents. Although the bill did not pass, Kila acknowledged that the program encouraged him to think creatively when drafting legislation and policy.
This year’s Partners for Democracy program will commence with nine monthly meetings held at the Alohilani Resort in Waikiki. Participants will engage in intensive workshops, emphasizing media training and strategies for effectively communicating their concerns and perspectives. Ian Terayama, the program’s director, shared that participants will have the opportunity to hear from notable speakers, including political strategist Christine Pelosi, Governor Josh Green, Mayor Derek Kawakami, and former Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
The 2023 cohort consists of 11 women and 19 men from various islands in Hawaii, bringing diverse backgrounds in county, state, and federal levels of government.
One participant, Mark Anthony Clemente, currently serves as the office manager for State Representative Daniel Holt (D, Sand Island-Iwilei-Chinatown). With experience at the Capitol, Clemente recognized the need to expand his skills and knowledge and decided to apply for the Partners for Democracy program. Although he does not have immediate plans to run for office, he hopes that the program will provide him with valuable connections and insights for the future. Clemente’s primary interests lie in affordable housing, land use laws, and the construction industry, as he believes these areas offer crucial employment opportunities for local residents.
Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) represents over 6,000 members of the construction industry and approximately 240 general contractors throughout the state. While the PRP program aims to uplift local leadership and offer guidance for future endeavors, it is important to note that it is not a charity. Colin Moore, a political scientist from the University of Hawaii, considers the PRP training program to be a sophisticated operation with the goal of recruiting candidates who align with the construction industry’s interests. However, PRP’s interim executive director, Kyle Chock, disagrees and emphasizes that PRP does not base its selection process on an individual’s affiliation with PRP, the construction industry, or Hawaii labor unions.
The Partners for Democracy program is nonpartisan, and the application process focuses on applicants’ personal backgrounds and stories. After completing the program, some participants may have the opportunity to work on local or mainland political campaigns. The program’s director, Ian Terayama, views this investment as not only beneficial for potential candidates but also for the staff supporting them.
PRP has committed to investing in the Partners for Democracy program for the next 10 years, with the goal of nurturing and producing 300 graduates. Although not every cohort will produce a large number of candidates, the long-term objective is to increase civic engagement and provide individuals with exposure to political activities and opportunities.
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