Some 209 candidates will vie for 40 delegate positions across the islands for the Native Hawaiian ‘aha constitutional convention that will work to form a Native Hawaiian government.

Kuhio Asam, president of Na‘i Aupuni, which is in charge of running the November election and subsequent Native Hawaiian convention and ratification process, said the candidates are “diverse in their age, backgrounds and purpose,” adding, “They are representative of a good cross section of the Native Hawaiian community.”

They include former and current state legislators such as state Rep. Kaniela Ing (D, South Maui); former City Council members; Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees and administrators; lawyers; and University of Hawaii professors.

The candidates also include well-known activists such as Walter Ritte Jr. of Molokai; Moani Akaka of Hawaii island; and Mahealani Cypher, aka Denise DeCosta, a former Honolulu city clerk.

Information on each candidate can be found at naiaupuni.org or at vote.election-america.com/naiaupuni/bios.htm.

The delegates will be elected to represent Native Hawaiians who live in and outside Hawaii.

On Oahu, 110 candidates will vie for 20 delegate positions. Hawaii island has 32 candidates for seven slots; Maui, 15 contenders for three positions; Kauai and Niihau, five hopefuls for two spots; Molokai and Lanai, four candidates for one position; and out of state, 43 contenders for seven slots.

Ballots to elect the delegates will be sent to certified voters on Nov. 1, said Election-America, a private national company hired by Na‘i Aupuni to conduct the election.

Votes can be cast by mail or electronically but must be received by Nov. 30.

Native Hawaiians who have not been certified can still apply with the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission (kanaiolowalu.org) or the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (oha.org/registry).

Information about the election process can be found at naiaupuni.org or by emailing naiaupuni@election-america.com. The deadline to be certified is Oct. 15.