Disabilities forum set for lawmakers, candidates

WAILUKU - The 13th annual Maui Disability Alliance Legislative Forum will be on Oct. 22 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku.

It will be a potluck event that will include the presence of elected officials and candidates for political office, representatives of more than two dozen agencies that provide services, and panel discussions on issues such as employment, transportation, education, family support, behavioral support, medical, dental, homelessness and housing.

The public is invited to share with the lawmakers and candidates their experiences as a person with a disability, or as a parent or relative of such a person. About 120 people had indicated they will attend as of Tuesday.

Invitations to elected officials and candidates were sent.

As of Tuesday, the confirmed participants included state Sens. Roz Baker and Shan Tsutsui; state Reps. Joe Bertram III, Angus McKelvey, Joe Souki and Kyle Yamashita; and County Council Members Gladys Baisa, Jo Anne Johnson, Bill Medeiros, Mike Molina, Joe Pontanilla and Mike Victorino. State Senate candidate John Blumer-Buell and County Council challengers Michael Howden and Kai Nishiki have confirmed they will attend.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares and Gov. Linda Lingle will send representatives.

The forum is sponsored by Maui Developmental Disabilities Committee, Mental Health America in Maui County, state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, The ARC of Maui, Hawaii Families as Allies, Easter Seals Hawaii, Maui Kokua Services, Challenge Maui, Maui Family Guidance Center, Community Children's Council of Maui and Hana, Autism Bridges Maui, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hale O Lanakila Clubhouse, Lokelani Ohana, Aging With Aloha Coalition, Self Determination Group-Spinal Cord Injury Support Group, state Workforce Development Division, Mental Health Kokua and Nurse Finders.

For more information, call Colleen O'Shea Wallace of the Mental Health America in Maui at 242-6461 or Mary Matsukawa of the Maui Developmental Disabilities Committee at 984-8218.