HONOLULU – Several University of Hawai'i student-athletes participated in a public service announcement entitled "YOU RUN 808" that encourages people to register to vote. The registration deadline for the primarily election is July 9.
 
"We saw this campaign as an opportunity for our program to step to the forefront and lead an exceptionally meaningful initiative," Athletics Director David Matlin said. "Hawaiʻi has the lowest voter participation in the country, and that must change. Our student-athletes are leaders and this is an example of how they always seem to step up during times of adversity. We hope they can help make a difference in voter turnout for the upcoming election and beyond."
 
Among the student-athletes who participated included football quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, track and field's Natasha Currence, women's volleyball's Kyra Hanawahine, men's tennis' Andre Ilagan, softball's Ka'ena Keliinoi, men's basketball's Zoar Nedd, women's golf's Kralyn Salazar, women's soccer's Kelci Sumida, and men's volleyball's Alaka'i Todd.
 
The initiative was developed by Every1ne Hawai'i, a Hawaii 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation comprised of nextgen influencers, formed to empower and activate Hawaiʻi's next generation. Recognized widely for their efforts to procure and distribute two million masks statewide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group is pivoting back to its original programmatic intent for 2020: engaging kamaʻāina in the electoral process for this critical upcoming election.
 
To register to vote online, visit https://olvr.hawaii.gov with your current State ID, mailing address and social security number handy. The process takes less than two minutes to complete.  If you don't have a State ID or social security number, you can download a voter registration form at the same website and submit the paper form.