Civic Leadership Program Launches

Pacific Resource Partnership News Release

The Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) launched “Partners for Democracy,” a 15-week non-partisan civic leadership program for emerging leaders who want to harness their passion for political advocacy to bring about change in Hawaii. The inaugural cohort consists of 30 civic-minded local leaders who are interested in running for elected office or becoming advocates for economic, community and social issues, including one from Molokai. On a live Zoom presentation Jan. 27, the program officially kicked off with a keynote by nationally acclaimed author and political strategist Christine Pelosi. 

The program’s curriculum is intended to empower leaders with training tools, resources, and support to help them build a solid foundation that will enable them to address the key issues facing Hawaii. Hands-on group and individual sessions will help cohort members to build the strategic skills necessary to become effective candidates for public office, campaign managers or public policy advocates. 

“The rising cost of living is driving our young local talent from the islands, including my daughter, and as a parent it’s heartbreaking to see how our communities are changing, especially here on the neighbor islands,” said John Pele, Molokai cohort member. “By enrolling in this program, I hope to learn how to run a successful campaign and make meaningful change for my community.” 

PRP’s research findings and polling from the 2018 and 2019 “Hawaii Perspectives” identified affordable housing, homelessness, and economic hardship as some of the top concerns of Hawaii residents. Partners for Democracy will give a new generation of leaders the opportunity to contribute to addressing and resolving some of these issues. 

“We’re excited to launch this program and encourage new voices with different ideas and perspectives to participate in the democratic process,” said Kyle Chock, Interim Executive Director for Pacific Resource Partnership. “Not only is this an election year, but with redistricting we will be electing legislators for every seat in the Hawaii State Legislature. We’ve received overwhelming interest in the program and our first cohort is a diverse group coming from both the public and private sector, across all counties.”

Partners for Democracy’s training program will run through March 22, with the option for cohort members to participate in a full-time work study program, working on a local political campaign or a campaign in another state from April to December 2022.