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Kokua Line
Question: I understand that there is difficulty obtaining enough election day workers. I inquired and was informed of a training session at the state Capitol from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 2. I showed up at 8:40 a.m. to what appeared to be a vacant State Capitol building. I left at 8:45 a.m. Here’s how to help
on election dayIf there was a change of venue, I never received any notice. If my experience is typical, I can understand why there is a shortage of election day workers.
Answer: You should be contacted soon, if not already, about another training session.
In fact, the state Office of Elections is still looking for election day workers.
But first, in answer to your complaint, two training sessions were held on Sept. 2 at the Capitol -- one for "Control Center Terminal and Phone Operators," the second for "Delivery/Collection Teams," said Dwayne Yoshina, state chief election officer.
The Capitol parking lot appeared deserted because parking in certain areas is prohibited while the House side of the lot is under construction, he said.
Trainees were advised to park at the nearby Department of Health.
"We are sorry that (you) did not see the gentleman posted outside to direct people to their training sessions," Yoshina said.
In the meantime, he said several precincts in East Oahu and Central Oahu are not yet fully staffed for election day.
Readers, if you're interested, call 453-8683 and ask for Precinct Operations.
You will be required to attend a training session and take a certification exam. Workers can earn from $75 for precinct officials to $145 for precinct chairs.
No experience is necessary to be a precinct official, although people who have worked at a previous election are given preference for the chair positions, Yoshina said.
"The training for election day officials has been designed to cross-train workers so we can promote people who are willing to take on the added responsibility as a Chair or Voter Assistance Official should it be required," he said.
Q: I was at Queen's Medical Center dropping off a delivery at the main front entrance where there were cones specifically saying "delivery only." I was making a small delivery to the gift shop at 7:45 p.m. one day when a young male parking attendant with glasses chased me away! I questioned his action and he said to park elsewhere.
Where elsewhere? I decided not to make the delivery. Why was there a marked cone saying "delivery only" when I couldn't make my delivery? What is the policy? Because I was using a privately-owned car rather than a commercial vehicle?
A: Gail Tiwanak, manager of master planning for Queen's, apologized for your experience.
The area designated for "deliveries" in the front main parking lot is for both commercial and non-commercial deliveries under 10 minutes, she said.
Vendors making deliveries to the gift shop are usually directed to park in the loading dock area behind the Pauahi building.
"The parking lot attendant is an APCOA employee and the manager for APCOA will be clarifying the matter with the attendant," Tiwanak said.
Aiea High Class of '81
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