RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM DJs 4 Democracy will stage a free show at Kapiolani Park on Saturday to encourage youths to get out and vote. From left are hosts Mark Wilber, Jeremy VerStrat and Chris Olson.

DJs try to get people
to polls

Who says politics can't be fun?

Hawaii voter-turnout rates have been among the lowest in the nation, especially among young adults.

Rock the Vote Hawaii DJs 4 DEMOCRACY Where: Kapiolani Park Bandstand When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Admission: Free Call: 277-8273 AFTER-PARTY Where: The Living Room at Fisherman's Wharf When: 10 p.m. Saturday Admission: $10; 21 and older only Call: 277-8273

For Chris Olson, Jeremy VerStrat and Mark Wilber, the key to attracting voters under the age of 25 to the polls is to not only inform them of their civic duty, but also entertain them in the process.

"If we can make the political process fun for the next generation and get some younger, first-time voters registered, too, we're doing our part," said VerStrat, who has lived in Hawaii since 1999, while serving in the U.S. Navy.

"We've got to start somewhere and we've got to be noticed ... and people have to realize that we do have a voice."

So VerStrat joined forces with Olson and Wilber, two fellow Navy men who also shared the desire to get involved and help the local community. The three have lined up a number of political and social organizations to participate in "Rock the Vote Hawaii -- DJs 4 Democracy," a voter registration drive backed up by live entertainment this Saturday at Kapiolani Park.

Cable network MTV is also involved, providing promotional items including posters and stickers, and allowing the local organizers to use the "Rock the Vote" slogan.

"We're going to have 14 booths out here on Saturday," said Wilber, "(but) it's not going to be just like, come and listen to what donkeys and elephants are all about. We want you to come and hear why the environments are the way they are and why it's important for you to vote."

The 14 booths will include representatives from major political parties and various social-activist groups.

One issue that could affect thousands of Hawaii residents under the age of 25 is the potential reinstatement of a military draft. Olson worries that younger voters might not realize how important it is to get involved before it's too late.

"The biggest reason why young voters don't think it's important (to vote) is that they haven't come across an issue that affects them yet," he said. "Until it's one of those things that affects them on a very personal level, they don't feel there's any reason for them to stand up and say anything."

Wilber is a little more blunt.

"You get what you deserve if you don't vote," he said. "You're going to lose the things that you enjoy.

"I want (people) to understand that this is important and that they have a stake in it."

Along with the information booths, "DJs 4 Democracy" will feature live performances by Vertical Charles, Kamau, the Direct Descendants and members of the Hawaii Slam Team. Local DJs Archangel, Dawn and Darryl D will spin music between sets, and San Francisco's DJ Behrouz will drop in with a 60-minute guest appearance at 3 p.m.

"Politics isn't something that's easily understood, and it's not something that's fun, until you get into it," VerStrat said.