Brutally frank – a discussion we need to have.

The cynics, jaded and the obsessively pragmatic need not read further. In fact, delete now please and for that matter there is an unsubscribe button at the bottom of this page.

The people I want to hang out with believe positive change can happen, and they understand to make that a reality, they must be willing to work hard.

The label I prefer is, pragmatic idealist. This is not to say pollyannaish, but a realist who believes that the world can change for the better, and that as Dr. King said so eloquently “…the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

So…let’s do this.

Many of you who open and read these emails, are stepping up and helping by submitting testimony, sharing the information with your friends, and helping with financial contributions. And your involvement and help is critically important.

But we need more.

We can pass a strong bill that increases Hawaii’s minimum wage to $17 and puts us on a path toward a living wage, phased in incrementally and supports small business.

We can pass legislation that increases pesticide regulation, and further protects our keiki.

We can fully legalize hemp and offer increased support to our family farms.

We can take further meaningful steps to eliminate fossil fuel consumption.

We can reform our elections and campaign systems, and restore faith and confidence in our democracy.

We can do all of this and more, here in Hawaii and set an example for the rest of the world.

And we can do it now, during the 2019 legislative session. But to make it happen we have to turn it up a notch or two or three.

So please click on the identified links below, read and think about the bills, and then offer testimony in support if possible.

Please also share this email with your friends and neighbors.

And please consider offering Pono Hawaii Initiative, (PHI) a financial contribution, whether $25 or $2,500 or anything in between – all is welcome and much needed. While we operate on a very tight budget, we do have expenses and in order to maintain our basic administrative infrastructure and just to keep doing the basic work, we must raise the funding needed. In order to maintain our momentum contributions made this week are urgently needed. Full Disclosure: Contributions are NOT tax deductible, and none of the funds raised will be used to fund the ED position, which I hold.

Thank you in advance for your ongoing help and support, online contributions may be made securely at https://ponohawaiiinitiative.org(scroll to bottom of page). Or checks mailed to P.O. Box 871, Honolulu HI 96808.

Please help if you can.

I understand, this is a long email and I am asking you to read the bills, send emails, and offer a contribution. Please know, I would not be here on my keyboard, early in the evening on Super Bowl Sunday, if the help I am asking for was not critically important.

In solidarity,
Gary Hooser
The above is an excerpt from my recent email, sent out to “my list”…if you would like to be included in future emails, please go here to subscribe and “Join Me”. http://www.garyhooser.com/#four