Hawai’i County Democratic Party Goes ‘Virtual’ With 60-Year Primary Election Grant Rally - More Than 50 Candidates & Party Leaders To Share Their Voices

For 60+ years the Hawai’i County Democratic Party has welcomed its candidates, their campaign teams, party members and the public to Mo’oheau Bandstand the night before the Primary Election to celebrate party values and priorities and encourage voting.

This year due to Covid-19, the party will instead host a Virtual Primary Election Grand Rally at 4 p.m., Sat., July 18, 2020 to be aired on Hawai'i Island on Spectrum Channel 53, online at naleo.tv/channel-53/, and will be streamed via Na Leo's mobile app available in iOS and Google Play Marketplaces.

It also will be streamed to https://www.facebook.com/HICountyDems/ and saved to YouTube for on-demand replay thereafter on both the Na Leo TV website & www.HawaiiCountyDemocrats.org. 

Emceeing the Virtual Grand Rally will be long-time “live” host Andy Kahili of Hilo. 

“Taking the Grand Rally ‘virtual’ is a huge transition but will make it more accessible and relevant to all voters because it will be available for safe, convenient viewing before they receive their Primary Election ballots in the mail about July 21. All candidates who are enrolled Democratic Party members are invited and we expect well over 50 candidates starting at the top of the ticket with the U.S. House of Representatives and including State Senate, State House of Representatives, Hawai’i County Mayor, Council and Prosecutor and Office of Hawaiian Affairs,” said Virtual Grand Rally Chair Gerri Kahili. 

The format will be similar to the party’s long-standing in-person Grand Rally with each candidate introducing themselves and their campaign themes. The broadcast will also brief viewers on Hawai’i’s new VOTE BY MAIL procedures – what to expect and where to call or get questions answered.    

“We’re also excited about the mid-July timing because many voters still don’t realize how important the Primary Election is – that many races will be decided in the Aug. 8 Primary,” said Gerri Kahili.  “We hope this early broadcast will encourage voters to participate in the Primary as well as Nov. 3 General Election.” 

The Hawai’i County Democratic Party has contracted with Na Leo public access television for this production.  Candidates are being asked to make a voluntary donation to the party to help underwrite production costs but timing and format is being coordinated by the party.  In keeping with party rules, every effort is being made to be fair and equitable to all party member candidates.