PDHblog
This is a place for members of Progressive Democrats of Hawai‘i to express their thoughts
and exasperations about political happenings. The opinions and views are not necessarily
those of PDH's steering committee or membership as a whole.

The Hawaii Republican Party several years ago tried to co-opt the traditional Hawaiian greeting, “E Komo Mai,” as their party slogan, implying that they were welcoming, whereas the Democratic Party was a closed club.

Last night’s Democratic Caucuses showed that to be a lie, as some 37,400 people turned out to vote in the Democratic Party’s precinct caucuses . In the recent Hawaii GOP caucuses, approximately 1500 people statewide turned out! Heck, we had more Republicans voting in the DEMOCRATIC Caucuses this year than bothered to vote in their own Republican caucuses!

E Komo Mai, indeed!

The Democrats allowed anyone who wanted to vote to join us. It was easy to do. Just show up and sign up! (Well, you also had to “line up”, but only because so many folks wanted to do so). The Republicans required you join their party at least 10 days before their caucuses. AND the Republicans do not allow you to cast a vote for your favorite Republican presidential candidate–IF you can FIND a Republican candidate you might feel easy voting for.

Of the 29 delegates going to the Democratic National Convention from Hawaii, 20 of them must vote the way you, the Hawaii voter, wants them to vote. The Republican national delegates can totally ignore the wishes of Hawaii’s voters. People are complaing that 9 of the Democrats national delegates are “superdelegates” and free to ignore the caucus votes. Well, ALL of the Hawaii GOP delegates are basically “suoerdelegates” and nobody complains!

E Komo Mai? Why SHOULD any one “E Komo Mai” into the Republican Party when they place obstacles for you to join them and, once you get there, they give your vote no say in picking their presidential candidate?

E Komo Mai to the Democratic Party! Welcome, and make yourself at home.