How, and where, to caucus

In case you haven't heard, Hawaii's Democratic caucuses, in which the party will decide how the state's delegates will be divvied up, are Tuesday. Here's what you need to know if you intend to participate.

Question: What is the caucus?
Answer: The caucus is a meeting of registered Democrats in preparation for the state and national party conventions. At the caucus, there will be a preference poll, which will be used to determine how 20 of Hawaii's delegates to the national convention will vote for the party's candidate for president.

The caucus is not a primary election and going to the meetings will require more time and effort than going to an election polling place.

Caucus attendees also will select precinct officers, district officers and delegates to the state convention in May, although people can go to the caucuses and just vote in the preference poll.

Q: Who can participate?
A: Registered Democrats who also are registered voters. If you would like to participate, you may register the day of the caucus at the caucus precinct. Party officials recommend you download a copy of the registration form from the Hawaii Democratic Party Web site at www.hawaiidemocrats.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=390&Itemid=95 and fill it out before going to the caucus. No absentee voting is allowed.

Q: When does it start and where do I go?
A: Voting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the precinct in your district (see list). The locations might be different than your normal election polling place. If you are unsure of your precinct or your voter registration, you can call 453-8683 or (800) 442-8683. If you live in Honolulu, you can also go to www4.honolulu.gov/vote/ to find your polling place.

Precincts must allow at least 30 minutes for voting. Anyone still in line after 30 minutes will be allowed to vote.

Q: Who can I vote for?
A: The ballot will list five choices: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and uncommitted.

Q: What is at stake?
A: Hawaii's delegates to the Democratic National Convention in late August.

Hawaii has 29 delegates and four alternates. Nine of the total are superdelegates -- members of Congress and party leaders -- who are not bound by the caucus results. They can change their mind at any time.

That leaves 20 delegates that will be decided by the caucus vote. Those delegates will be apportioned to the candidates based on how they fare in the presidential preference poll.

To receive any delegates, a candidate must receive at least 15 percent of the votes cast.

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS LOCATIONS

Oahu

» District 17 (Kalama Valley, Queen's Gate, Hawaii Kai), all precincts, Koko Head Elementary School cafeteria, 189 Lunalilo Home Road, 6 p.m.
» District 18 (Hahaione, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Aina Haina, Wailupe, Kahala), all precincts, Niu Valley Middle School cafeteria, 310 Halemaumau St., 6:30 p.m.
» District 19 (Kaimuki, Waialae, Kalani Valley, Diamond Head), all precincts, Wilson Elementary School cafeteria, 4945 Kilauea Ave., 6 p.m.
» District 20 (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimuki), all precincts, Palolo Elementary School cafeteria, 2106 10th Ave., 6:30 p.m.
» District 21 (Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Waikiki, Ala Wai, Diamond Head), all precincts, Thomas JeffersonSchool, 324 Kapahulu Ave., 6:30 p.m.
» District 22 (Moiliili, McCully, Kaimuki), all precincts, Washington Intermediate School, 1633 S. King St., 6:30 p.m.
» District 23 (Waikiki, Ala Moana), all precincts, Thomas JeffersonSchool, 324 Kapahulu Ave., 6:30 p.m.
» District 24 (Manoa, Manoa Valley, University). all precincts, Manoa Elementary School, 3155 Manoa Road, 6:30
» District 25 (Tantalus, Makiki, McCully), all precincts, R.L. Stevenson Intermediate School, 1202 Prospect St., 6:30 p.m.
» District 26 (Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl), all precincts, Kawananakoa Middle School cafeteria, 49 Funchal St. (Pali side), 6:30 p.m.
» District 27 (Nuuanu, Puunui, Liliha, Alewa Heights), all precincts, Kawananakoa Middle School cafeteria, 49 Funchal St. (Pali side), 6:30 p.m.
» District 28 (Chinatown-Downtown), all precincts, Kawananakoa Middle School cafeteria, 49 Funchal St. (Pali side), 6:30 p.m.
» District 29 (Sand Island, Mokauea, Kalihi Kai, Kapalama), all precincts, Farrington High School library, 1564 N. King St. 6:15 p.m.
» District 30 (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Moanalua, Fort Shafter), all precincts, Farrington High School library, 1564 N. King St. 6:15 p.m.
» District 31 (Moanalua Valley, Moanalua, Salt Lake) all precincts, Moanalua High School cafeteria, 2825 Ala Ilima St., 6:30 p.m.
» District 32 (Lower Pearlridge, Aiea, Halawa, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Moanalua Gardens), all precincts, Aiea High School, 98-1276 Ulune St., 6 p.m.
» District 33 (Aiea, Halawa Valley, Halawa Heigh), all precincts, Aiea High School, 98-1276 Ulune St., 6 p.m.
» District 34 (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City, Waimalu), all precincts, Waiau Elementary School cafeteria, 98-450 Ho'okanike St., Pearl City, 6 p.m.
» District 35 (Pearl City, Waipahu), all precincts, Waipahu District Park rec building, 94-230 Paiwa St., Waipahu, 6:30 p.m.
» District 36 (Pearl City, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, Manana), all precincts, Waiau Elementary School cafeteria, 98-450 Ho'okanike St., Pearl City, 6 p.m.
» District 37 (Waipahu, Mililani), all precincts, Mililani Waena Elementary cafeteria, 95-502 Kipapa Drive, Mililani, 6 p.m.
» District 38 (Mililani, Mililani Mauka), all precincts, Mililani Waena Elementary cafeteria, 95-502 Kipapa Drive, Mililani, 6 p.m.
» District 39 (Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, Poamoho), all precincts, Wahiawa District Park building closest to parking lot, 1139 Kilani Ave., Wahiawa, 6 p.m.
» District 40 (Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa), all precincts, Kapolei Middle School meeting room, 91-5335 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, 6:30 p.m.
» District 41 (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), all precincts, Waipahu District Park rec building, 94-230 Paiwa St., Waipahu, 6:30 p.m.
» District 42 (Waipahu, Honouliuli, West Loch, Ewa), all precincts, Asing Community Park, 91-1450 Renton Road, Ewa, 6:30 p.m.
» District 43 (Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Puuloa), all precincts, Asing Community Park, 91-1450 Renton Road, Ewa, 6:30 p.m.
» District 44 (Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, Lualualei), all precincts, Nanaikapono Elem.Library, 89-153 Mano Avenue, Waianae, 6:30 p.m.
» District 45 (Waianae, Makaha, Makua), all precincts, Waianae Library conference room, 85-625 Farrington Highway, Waianae, 6:30 p.m.
» District 46 (Kaena Point, Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Waimea, Pupukea, Sunset, Kahuku), all precincts, Haleiwa Elementary School, 66-505 Haleiwa Road, Haleiwa 6:30
» District 47 (Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu). all precincts, Kahaluu Elementary School, 47-280 Waihee Road, Kaneohe, 6 p.m.
» District 48 (Heeia, Haiku Valley, Kapunahala, Kaneohe), all precincts, Heeia Elementary School cafeteria, 46-202 Haiku Road, Kaneohe, 6:30 p.m.
» District 49 (Maunawili, Olomana, Enchanted Lake, Kaneohe), all precincts, Kailua High School, 451 Ulumanu Drive, Kailua, 6:30 p.m.
» District 50 (Kailua, Kaneohe Bay), all precincts, Kailua District Park Gymnasium, 21 S. Kainalu Drive, Kailua, 6:30 p.m.
» District 51 (Lanikai, Waimanalo), Precincts 2 & 3, Waimanalo District Park Multi-purpose Building, 41-415 Hihimanu Street, Waimanalo - 6:30
» District 51 (Lanikai, Waimanalo), Precincts 1, 4, 5, 6 & 7, Kailua District Park Multi-Purpose Room, 21 S. Kainalu Drive, Kailua, 6:30 p.m.

Big Island

» District 1 (North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo)
» Precincts 1-2, the barn behind Luke's Place, 55-514 Hawi Road
» Precincts 3-5, ILWU Union Hall, Honokaa, Waipio Road
» Precincts 6-7, Laupahoehoe Civic Club House
» Precinct 8, 32-832 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Ninole, HI
» Precinct 10, Isaac Fiesta's home, 28-224 Stable Camp Road, Honomu
» Precinct 11, Jane Curtis' home, 28-2849 Onomea Place in Pepeekeo
» Precincts 12-14, Puueo Community Center
» Precinct 15, Tom Plum's house, 59-542 Ala Kahua, 96743
» District 2 (South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha), all precincts, Hilo High School cafeteria, 556 Waianuenue Ave. in Hilo
» District 3 (South Hilo, Panaewa, Puna, Keaau, Kurtistown), all precincts, ILWU Hall, 100 West Lanikaula, Hilo.
» District 4 (Puna, Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres, Kalapana), all precincts, Pahoa Community Center, Kauhale Street, Pahoa
» District 5 (Puna, Ka'u, South Kona, North Kona)
» Precincts 1-3, Cooper Center
» Precinct 4, Pahala Community Center
» Precinct 5, Naalehu Community Center
» Precinct 6, HOVE Community Center
» Precinct 7, Milolii Halau
» Precincts 8-12, Honaunau Elementary School
» District 6 (North Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, Honokohau), all precincts, Kahakai Elementary School, 76-147 Royal Poinciana Drive, Kailua-Kona
» District 7 (North Kona, South Kohala)
» Precincts 1-2, Kealakehe Intermediate School cafeteria
» Precinct 3, Community Room, Waikoloa Village Association
» Precinct 4, Puako Store lanai
» Precincts 5-7, Waimea School cafeteria

Maui

» District 8 (Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Waikapu), all precincts and District 9 Precincts 1-6, Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.
» District 9 (Wailuku, Puunene, Makawao, Paia)
» Precincts 1-6, Baldwin High School, 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.
» Precinct 7, Paia Community Center
» District 10 (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei)
» Precinct 1, Kihei Elementary School, 250 Lipoa
» Precincts 2-6, Lahaina Intermediate School, Lahainaluna Road
» District 11 (Makawao, Makena, Wailea, Wailuku), Precincts 1-5, Kihei Elementary School, 250 Lipoa
» District 12 (Pukalani, Makawao, Olinda, Kula, Ulupalakua, Haliimaile), Precincts 1-7, Kalama School, 120 Makani Road
» District 13 (Kahoolawe, Molokini, Lanai, Molokai, Keanae, Wailua, Nahiku, Hana)
» Precinct 1, Paia Community Center
» Precincts 2-5, Haiku School
» Precinct 6, Hana School
» Precinct 7, Lanai School cafteria
» Precinct 8, Kilohana Center, Molokai
» Precincts 9-10, Mitchell Pauole Center
» Precinct 11, Kualapuu Elementary School
» Precinct 12, McVeigh Hall, Kalaupapa

Kauai

» District 14 (Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, Waipouli)
» Precinct 1, Hanalei Community Center
» Precinct 2, Kilauea Neighborhood Center
» Precinct 3, Anahola Homesteads Council House
» Precincts 4-6, Kapaa Neighborhood Center courtyard
» District 15 (Lihue, Koloa)
» Precincts 1-5, HGEA 3213 Akahi St.
» Precinct 6, 3857 Omao Road
» District 16 (Niihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea)
» Precinct 1, Koloa Library conference room
» Precincts 2-3, Kalaheo Neighborhood Center
» Precincts 4-6, Kaumakani Neighborhood Center
» Precinct 7, Waimea Neighborhood Center
» Precinct 8, Kekaha Neighborhood Center