Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Wednesday, September 30, 1998
Kokua Line
Are write-in votes allowed? What happens if you write in the name of a candidate other than the one running? State does not permit
any write-in candidatesHawaii does not allow write-in votes. But just writing in someone's name won't invalidate your ballot, said Dwayne Yoshina, the state's chief elections officer.
For the most part, "we won't see it," he said, since the ballots are "read" now by computers.
In the past, when elections staff "prepared the decks (of voting cards) to be processed, if there were notes, we would read the notes. Mostly, they're very hilarious," Yoshina said.
But they can't be tallied in any way. As long as the rest of your ballot is properly cast, it won't be invalidated.
Most other states do provide for write-in votes. However, when Kailua attorney Alan Burdick challenged the constitutionality of the state's write-in ban, the state law was first upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and, ultimately, in 1992 by a 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The courts essentially found that Hawaii's ballot access procedures were quite liberal, Yoshina said.
I heard about a McDonald's reading program for children. Where can I volunteer?
The McDonald's at 414 N. School Street is the only one now that has a "Read to Me" program. It takes place 6:30 p.m. to about 8 p.m. every Monday, except holidays, in the upstairs dining area.
"It's open to the public -- anybody can come and participate," said Michele Shoji, who has helped to coordinate this volunteer effort since it began. The sixth anniversary will be marked in January.
Shoji said the program attracts people of all ages, from toddlers to teens, with adults listening in as well. Volunteer readers also vary in age, including children, teachers and members of the Roosevelt Key Club, who come once a month as a service project.
Shoji, a parent facilitator at Maemae School, also does it as a community project. She's helped by parent coordinators from Manoa and Lanakila schools.
A typical evening begins with bingo, then has one hour of reading, then some more bingo. Some nights, there are just a few children; other nights, it is packed, Shoji said.
McDonald's provides coupons and other incentives for volunteers, she said.
To volunteer or to get more information, call Shoji at 574-8835 (pager) or leave a message at the School Street McDonald's.
If you're interested in volunteering if a similar program starts at another McDonald's, call Wendy Ching at 591-4156.
To the rude person in the marriage office at the state Department of Health who received my fiance and me when we applied for our marriage certificate. That experience was a great way to spoil anyone's joyous occasion. Whenever I think of our wonderful marriage in Hawaii, it will always be somewhat spoiled by you. Why spread your misery to others? -- No name Auwe
To Department of Defense Police Officer K. Becker. I locked the keys in my car, with the motor running, at the ceremony marking the signing of the peace treaty on the battleship Missouri. He enabled me to get into my car and not miss a minute of the ceremony with the Society of Military Widows. -- Pat Garties Mahalo
To Rowena, who found my wallet in the Costco parking lot and tracked down my phone number. When I went to retrieve it, with all my contents intact, she refused to take a reward. This is truly the aloha spirit. -- Cliff Mahalo
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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