I know we occasionally differ on things ;-), but I’m sure we are mutually disgusted by the conduct of many in elected office.

The culture of power and fear that permeate the state capitol is common knowledge among virtually everyone who interacts with the legislature. Ask anyone; advocates, state administrators, legislative staff, journalists, and the legislators themselves. They will all acknowledge in private their fear of crossing key members of legislative leadership and certain committee chairs. Bills are killed, budgets slashed, and positions eliminated, for personal and political reasons, regardless of the public policy impacts.

We can agree that the status quo is unacceptable and we can agree that we have good people serving in public office, but we need to elect more of them.

We have excellent candidates on every island who are stepping up. We at the Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative (PHI) as well as many other advocacy organizations on every island, will soon be announcing our endorsements.

Changing only a handful of key seats could lead to changing the very nature of how work happens in that big square building on Beretania Street. August 13th is Primary Election day in Hawaiʻi. If we work very hard during the next 90 days we can win those seats and more.

We need people: To help both on the ground (holding signs and canvassing) and in the air (telephone banking) – on all islands. Remember, phone banking can be done from anywhere!

Can you help? Will you join us if even only for a few hours per week of telephone calls, or holding signs, or canvassing? If you can, please complete this basic volunteer form. We will then contact you directly and attempt to match you up with a candidate that needs the help, shares your values, and is in your area. 

Yes, we also need money: To support direct mail, social media, and other core electioneering expenses as are legal and appropriate for a 501c4 nonprofit. 

Can you help with an online contribution today of any amount? We need the $1,000 plus contributions, the $10 or $20 gives, and everything in between. For those who feel more comfortable writing a check: Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative, P.O. Box 871, Honolulu, HI 96808. Note: Contributions are NOT tax-deductible.

That’s it.  People and Money – please sign up to help and give what you can today if possible, and especially prior to May 1 so that we might plan accordingly and hit the ground running together with our friends on May 2 – so we can win on August 13th.

Please help if you can.

We can do this.

Gary Hooser
Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative
https://ponohawaiiinitiative.org