Mr. Apo calls for all voters regardless of race to vote for OHA board candidates.  This is a complete reversal of the attitude of ethnic Hawaiian activists and their allies back in year 2000. For 20 years only ethnic Hawaiians were allowed to vote for OHA board members, until the Supreme Court reminded us that the 15th Amendment says the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race.  Governor Cayetano ousted all 9 OHA trustees on grounds they had been illegally elected, and in November there were 96 candidates on the ballot for 9 seats in OHA's first desegregated election.

The moment the Court's decision was published, there was a huge outcry from ethnic Hawaiian activists, their allies, and state politicians trying to figure out how to go around the ruling.  Nearly all of the activists told people without Hawaiian blood to "stay out of our affairs" or "show you respect us by abstaining from voting in OHA elections."  But today Mr. Apo smiles and bids us welcome.