New app promotes civic engagement
Hawaii’s first ever civic engagement app, Kakou, is putting the power of change in the palm of your hand. An initiative of Pacific Resource Partnership, or PRP, Kakou is a unified, digital platform that makes it easy for everyone to engage with Hawaii’s elected officials and participate in the democratic process.
After taking over the publishing of the Hawaii Directory of Public Officials in 2018, PRP saw an opportunity to modernize the popular legislative resource guide and create Kakou — a tool for people of all ages to “Tap Into Democracy.” Kakou makes it easy for users to find and contact federal, state and county elected officials, register to vote, weigh in on hot button issues, email legislative committees, advocate alongside local nonprofit organizations, and more, on the convenience of a smartphone.
It’s available for download on any Apple or Android phone, free of charge.
“When you look around today, most people have no idea how to get involved in government and community issues, how to contact their elected officials, or even who their elected officials are,” said Melanie Kim, PRP’s marketing manager. “Kakou makes it easy to get involved, find and contact your elected officials, learn about issues that you care about, and more — right on your phone.”
Kerr earns Convention of States award
Michelle “Mikie” Kerr of Waikoloa received the new Convention of States Coin-Pin Award for her volunteer work as the Hawaii Island Region Captain for the Convention of States (COS) Hawaii organization.
State director for COS, Mark White from Oahu, awarded the 35-year Big-Island resident with the honor last week for her outstanding contribution to the organization’s efforts toward promoting self-governance in America.
Kerr’s accomplishments for Convention of States include but are not limited to participating in multiple annual events on Oahu, meeting locally with Big Island legislators advocating for passage of a Convention of States resolution and interviewing new Convention of State supporters on all islands.
Kerr also writes a monthly column for West Hawaii Today, called Constitution Corner.
Business Plan workshop Wednesday
The West Hawaii Small Business Development Center will be offering a workshop, “How to Write a Business Plan” from 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Hale Iako in Suite 119, 73-970 Makako Bay Drive, Kailua-Kona, on the NELHA (OTEC) Campus.
Would you ever start on a journey not knowing where you were going? You’d need a map or at least a plan on how to get where you want to go. That’s what a business plan is for your business.
Registration is $20 and starts 15 minutes before. Register online at www.hisbdc.org, click on the Events/Workshops link on the homepage, or call 333-5000.