Monthly Archives: December 2018

Hawaii’s minimum wage needs to start at $17 per hour and strive to be a living wage.

Every person willing to work 40 hours per week, deserves to earn a wage that is sufficient to provide basic shelter, food and medical care.  This statement should not be debatable. A friend once told me, “There is no such … Continue reading

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A Progressive’s Perspective – On 2019 Legislative Session

What do we want?  Justice. When do we want it?  Now This is the essence and mantra of progressive values. Here in Hawaii, we’ve been waiting far too long and there is no good reason why we should have to … Continue reading

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Legislative Session Primer – 30 Days Out

The 2019 legislative session officially opens on January 16th, and concludes 60 “session days” later on May 2, “sine die” (traditional term used to adjourn the legislature – Latin for “proceedings that have been adjourned”). “Session days” are those days … Continue reading

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2018 Election Summary of PHI Endorsed Candidates

During the 2018 elections, Pono Hawaii Initiative (PHI) a 501C4 nonprofit organization of which I am the Executive Director, endorsed and supported 32 candidates for public office at the state legislative and county council level on all islands. At the … Continue reading

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Hotel Housekeepers Are Heroes – All Hawaii Workers Deserve A Living Wage

Are the rest of us as committed as hotel housekeepers to raising up Hawaii? Can we as a community accomplish in 60 days what the hotel housekeepers and restaurant workers achieved in 51 days? The 2,700 UniteHere Local 5 members … Continue reading

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Under The Guise Of Civility

As newly elected legislators at all levels begin taking office, it is important to remind everyone that robust debate and holding our politicians accountable is critical to a healthy democracy. To those politicians who are thin of skin, I encourage … Continue reading

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