‘Aloha Aina’ rallies drawing crowds, but maybe not voters

Part of the secret of why politicians hold rallies is not to convert, it is to organize.

Giving a political speech at a rally is the very definition of preaching to the choir, but finding the singers for your choir, organizing the choir, getting the names and emails plus having them drop something in the collection box — that is how real political organizing works.

So you have to keep an eye on this year’s two big public rallies, sponsored by the loosely connected Aloha Aina Unity rallies held in Waikiki and Lahaina.

The August march and rally in Waikiki drew an estimated 10,000 marchers, with thousands more watching. The Maui event had between 5,000 and 6,000 and was held last Sunday.

Reports said the march was about “raising awareness about overdevelopment and exploitation of natural and cultural resources.”

Maui as the scene of protests over the construction of a new telescope atop Haleakala and the judicial overthrow of an anti-GMO ordinance made for fertile ground for organizers.

Veteran political activist Walter Ritte helped with the Aloha Aina marches. He sees a new burst of activity.

“The timing is good, especially in the Hawaiian community; the Hawaiians are awake. It has been hard to get them to participate, but there are some young Hawaiian leaders who decided to put some energy into it,” Ritte said in an interview.

Ritte said the group’s name originates from the Hawaiian group, Hui Hawaii Aloha Aina, organized during the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

“It translates back to political activism,” Ritte said, explaining that the group also offers an entry point for non-Hawaiians by including the protest of genetically modified plants and food.

“It is about a coalition bringing them together even though the exact issues aren’t together,” Ritte said.

Maui Democratic state Rep. Kaniela Ing attended the Maui march and spoke to the crowd.

By touching on environmental and sustainability concerns, Ing said, the movement goes past Hawaii to encompass international concerns.

“When you hear the pope talk about climate change, that is Aloha Aina. When distinguished economists say we have to have a broad-based economy and wean ourselves from tourism and military spending, that is Aloha Aina,” Ing said.

Marching and singing on Sunday doesn’t automatically translate into votes next November.

Ritte said: “The trick right now is to take the energy for Hawaiian independence and sovereignty and see if there is interest in participating in electoral politics.”

Marchers are not likely to automatically turn into a voting force, Ritte warned.

“Whether or not we can get them registered to vote and participate is not clear,” he said.

Ing agreed, noting that he sees the huge crowds as mostly a “value-driven” group.

“Whether or not it is political is up to who you ask. For my thinking, many may not be voters or even registered. So many people today feel they are disenfranchised,” Ing said.

The political value, then, is reflected in being, as Ing put it, “an open ear and to give balance.”

Of course, there is a certain Hawaii-born fellow living in the White House who knows that community organizing can pay off in impressive political points.

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.