Democracy & Fundamental Freedoms Program

          The DFFP is the essence of HIHR with creative citizen oriented projects exercising civil and political rights from each county seat to the highest seat in the country. HIHR networks with other youth movements in our Voter Registration Project such as Rock the Vote. HIHR involves artists to register voters through concerts, film festivals and conferences about the power of the vote. HIHR has registered thousands of new voters and continues to provide the opportunity for future generations to participate in representative politics. Rock the Vote concerts went beyond the usual last day to register concert to focus on the next generation having a concert on the eve before the 2004 election with six bands for the local high school students to vote.

          HIHR also cooperates with national coalition of media conglomerates to conduct exit polling across Hawaii. HIHR volunteers to interview Hawaii citizens leaving the voting booth for the Voter News Service to provide important information in the past two Presidential elections.

          HIHR also provides information for voters to make the best decision for who should serve the democracy. HIHR works with Project Vote Smart to provide most up-to-date voting record of elected officials on important issues to citizens. HIHR serves as an Ambassador speaking to classes and community centers about the possibilities to research the voting records for every electoral race. HIHR also works with national NGOs such as Peace Action on a Peace & Human Rights Voter Report Card. This project allows citizens to grade the political performance of candidates based on selected legislation important to constituents. Human Rights Day at the State Legislature is a new project with a focus to be on bringing together NGOs to the state assembly and to advocate for the passage of specific resolutions and bills the create culture of peace and human rights in Hawaii.

          Campaign Forums Project educates citizens about the positions and perspectives of potential candidates on important issues facing constituents in the county and country. HIHR hosted various formats with the forums allowing for intimate interaction between citizens and candidates.

          HIHR also elevated electoral politics to the highest office in the land by coordinating the visit of a presidential candidate to Hawaii for the first time since Nixon on Maui and Jackson on Oahu. HIHR was able to organize three island visit twice before the primary and a return visit to thank voters for their support.

          In 2004, HIHR also built upon its tradition with follow-up meetings with elected candidates to review possible legislation and establish empowering relationship with the representatives for the upcoming term. From this meeting, resolutions and bills were developed to enhance our democracy.