Offer inch-square samples of free food or a dollar off gasoline and Hawai'i residents will queue up for hours.

Invite them to take part in the democratic process and they stay away in droves.

Folks are busy, gas is expensive, they're waiting for the presidential race in the general election. OK, fine.

The bottom line is that people pretty much don't care. When people do care, they show up. They show up regardless of convenience or time commitment. They brave traffic jams, parking nightmares, hours in the sun, camping in line. People just about storm the place for free snacks.

Two weeks ago, when Whole Foods opened at Kahala Mall, you couldn't even turn off H-1 to get near the mall. Cars were backed up along the Wai'alae exit at an hour when you'd think folks would be busy working, not taking a jaunt to look at $15 organic dragon fruit and soap made out of leaves. It was an all-out, jam-packed, community-rousing event.

If only we could get that excited about voting.

When Nordstrom opened, Kapi'olani Boulevard came to a standstill as if there was a parade. People went just to go, like Woodstock; to say that they had been there during that important moment in history.

When Colt Brennan and his teammates appeared at Kahala Mall earlier this year to sign autographs, you would think that the pope was in town to heal the sick. The line of faithful snaked around the inside of the mall, out the door by the theaters, around the corner by the Dumpsters and down the sidewalk to Longs. All who waited in line looked so happy to do it, even though the rules of engagement with the players were detailed and prohibitive and limited each person to only one autograph.

The point is, people have the time and make the effort when they see something as special and valuable.

In 2004, the Census Bureau put Hawai'i's voter turnout at 50.8 percent, the lowest in the nation. Saturday, it was 37 percent, a new lowest low.

Is it possible that legions of eligible voters in Hawai'i feel that far detached from government? Have we become a society of hapless victims, comfortable in accepting whatever someone else decides? The motto of the non-voter is: "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter." "Ainokea" is cute on a shirt, but it's a death sentence to democracy.

It's scary to think that tens of thousands of Hawai'i residents have reached the point of just giving up on elected officials and find greater engagement in sample teriyaki meatballs on toothpicks.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.