The most important race in the Hawaiʻi primary election on August 10th is for State House of Representatives District 25 (Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Downtown). Entrepreneur, attorney, philanthropist, and dedicated community advocate Kim Coco Iwamoto Versus Speaker of the House Scott Saiki.

Long time political columnist David Shapiro summed it up perfectly in his column How to Clean Up Corruption. One politician at a time, writing – “Saiki vs. Iwamoto is the best chance to significantly upset Hawaii’s political status quo in 2024.”

I agree 100%.

The corruption, the pay-to-play, the do nothing, good ole boy, self-centered toxic culture that permeates that big square building on Beretania Street – has got to go.

The election of Kim Coco Iwamoto would indeed rock the house. A former member of the State Board of Education and Civil Rights Commission, Kim Coco Iwamoto is values based, smart, hard working, collaborative yet independent, and fearless.

We desperately need to elect new leaders like Kim Coco Iwamoto who understand the depth of our community challenges, and who’re willing to roll up their sleeves and do the heavy lifting needed to take us forward.

Two other new candidates also deserving our strong support include Ikaika Lardizabal Hussey running for the House in District 29 (Kahauiki, Kalihi, Kapalama) and Tina Grandinetti running for District 20 (Lē‘ahi, Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu). These two individuals are cut from a similar cloth. They understand the importance of supporting working men and women, the need to build truly affordable housing, and that protecting people and the planet must always come first.

There are a handful of incumbents that meet the “change-maker” definition as well. Running for reelection is Representative Natalia Hussey-Burdick in District 50 (Kailua, Kāne‘ohe Bay, and Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i), Representative Jeanné Kapela District 5 (South Kona, Na’alehu, Kalehu, Ka’u, Pahala), and Representative Amy Perruso District 46 (Portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village, Waialua, Mokulē‘ia).

The successful election of these true change-makers – individuals who are willing to stand up and speak truth to power in the legislature, willing to pull back the curtain on corruption and ethical abuse, and willing to put community needs ahead of ego and bank account – can in fact change our world.

What characteristics make up a true change-maker candidate? I’ve posted my thoughts on the question here: – “Looking For Change-Makers”

When good and strong people on the inside are willing to raise their hands, ask the tough questions and speak-out – then community members are motivated even more to step forward. The combination is powerful and can move mountains.

But it will not happen unless we make it so. It’s up to us as citizens to take ownership of our government, step up to help the change-makers win, and then stick with them and support the positive changes that are possible.

Showing up to vote is essential, but not enough. We each must do more.

Every campaign needs people on the ground, knocking on doors, holding signs along the highway, making telephone calls, hosting and volunteering to help with coffee hours etc.

While living and voting in the district is the ideal, at this point with ballots set to be going out in just a few weeks, it don’t matter. Your help is needed – regardless of where you live.

Please check out their websites, learn more about them, and then reach out to a change-maker candidate today, and offer to help. Show up to “hold signs” on the highway. Hit “like” when you see their social media posts and “share” those posts to your networks.

And yes, send in a few dollars as well, whether it be $20 or $200. Today, I’m asking especially that you consider making an online donation towards the reelection of Representative Natalia Hussey-Burdick who is one of the hardest working, values-based legislators I’ve ever known.

Trust me on this. Every person that can show up, and every dollar that can be contributed is needed now more than ever during this critical home-stretch sprint to the finish line.

Don’t wait. In the islands, the Primary Election is everything and the next 3 weeks are all-important.

**Note – Many have asked me, “If you lived in my district, who would you vote for?” In response, I have started compiling this list posted here – starting primarily with the new candidates running for election to the State House of Representatives. Moving forward I will be adding new candidates and incumbents…and broadening to the State Senate, County Councils and other races.

Mahalo,
Gary Hooser
Former Hawaiʻi State Senator, County Councilmember and many other things.
Note: The above was first published in the Hawaiʻi Filipino Chronicle, “Upsetting the Hawaiʻi Political Applecart”