Fate of Hawaii Democratic Party in the balance this weekend

The Bernie Sanders campaign in Hawaii kicked off in June 2015 with just a few dozen hopeful people gathered at the Pearlridge Zippy’s.

Most of us knew nothing about local politics or campaigning, but we were inspired by Bernie’s message of fairness and equality, and determined to learn.

So learn we did.

We were lucky to have experienced members to guide us. With every meeting, and every new volunteer, our movement grew and became stronger.

Countless hours were spent organizing, sign-waving and phone-banking, getting Bernie’s message out to voters.

After nearly a year, our efforts paid off when more than 33,000 people showed up to cast votes in the Hawaii Democratic Party’s March 26 presidential preference poll (PPP). Bernie won by a landslide, garnering 70 percent of those votes. We had pulled off a huge feat, in a state with one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country.

But Bernie asked us not only to work for him, but also to learn about and get involved in our local Democratic Party. Most of us stayed after the preference poll so we could participate in precinct elections. By the end of that day, many of us proudly walked out of those meetings as delegates, precinct presidents and district chairs, eager to take on our new responsibilities.

We were strong. We were organized. We were ready for the Republicans.

But we were not ready for the opposition that would lie ahead from inside our own party.

Within days of the PPP, the challenges started. Election results were questioned or changed. Paperwork was submitted late or in some cases not at all. County and state delegates had problems getting convention credentials. Signatures were invalidated and refused.

We naively took officer positions and joined caucuses thinking we were going to be able to dig in on the issues and start making the changes we so desperately need.

In some cases, our ideas and energy were welcomed, and we have found a new home in the Democratic Party. But we are not welcomed everywhere. Some caucus doors feel shut to us. Some volunteers talk openly at party headquarters about the strategies they use to block participation by new members. Some hardline Hillary Clinton supporters monitor our posts on social media, hoping to find evidence of “disloyalty.”

A rule has been proposed to ban new members from voting in caucuses unless they join at least two weeks in advance. The excuse is to improve “logistics,” but the discussions have made it clear the aim is reducing turnout from “newcomers.”

We know that change is hard. But at the end of the day, the party needs new ideas, new energy and new members. We need each other. The issues we face are growing daily, and the party has not kept up.

This weekend, the Democratic Party of Hawaii will hold its biennial state convention.

Nearly 1,000 delegates from across the state will gather at the Sheraton Waikiki to vote on rule changes, resolutions and the election of party representatives.

The party has just witnessed a massive influx of enthusiasm and energy from Bernie Sanders supporters who are ready to change the world from the bottom up. We believe in his vision for social and economic justice for all. This convention will serve as a test for the party.

Will the party regulars make room at the table for the new Bernie members? Can we build a party of inclusion that fights for change? Can we recognize our differences, while still working together on those goals we do share? Will we be a party of inclusion or exclusion?

The answers will be decided this weekend. The future of the party, and of the state, is being decided.