Hope and inspiration is what we need. Hope and inspiration backed by tangible action that says loud and clear the days of “pay to play” at the Hawai’i State legislature, are over.
Current legislative rules allow a single individual committee chair, to kill a legislative proposal without a hearing, without a vote, and without a reason.
It’s common knowledge that some committee chair’s have killed bills for personal, political, and financial reasons. While most holding those positions are honorable in their intent, some will inevitably abuse the power to help their friends and hurt their enemies. It’s an ugly and corrupt reality driven by the unilateral power granted by the “rules”.
Existing House rules governing “bill referrals” permit the referral of bills to the House Finance Committee even when there’s zero impact on the budget. This referral grants the House Finance Chair life or death control over every single legislative proposal introduced.
The Rules also allow legislative proposals to be amended “verbally” with the actual language inserted after the vote and after the public has left the room.
Can’t make this stuff up.
Please join me in sending an “Opening Day” message to each and every legislator.
The time to reform legislative rules, campaign finance, and ethics law is now.
Now’s the time to stand up and be counted, to say loud and clear – enough already.
January 15, 2025, the first official day of the Hawai’i State Legislative Session – is when the first tangible actions must be taken.
We don’t need or want flowery words, platitudes, and promises – without tangible action.
Legislative Rules Reform can take place in a single action and vote by a majority of legislators in either or both legislative bodies. While House Rules have received the most attention and in the greatest need of reform, Senate Rules must also be amended to increase transparency and accountability.
The State Constitution, Article III, Section 12 states “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”
Both the House and Senate routinely violate this Constitutional provision. Both chambers have rules now allowing decision-making behind closed doors, and grant Committee Chairs the power to kill bills without public notice, public justification, or a public vote.
Legislative rules can easily be amended to increase transparency and accountability, and decrease the opportunity for legislative misconduct and corruption.
All it takes is leadership. The move for such reform should come from behind the leadership podium, but can also come from members on the floor.
Please take a moment to contact your own district legislator and urge them to support Rules Reform to increase transparency and accountability: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/
Then contact House/Senate Leadership with the same message:
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura: repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senate President Ronald Kouchi: senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
There’s a House Good Government Caucus proposing specific changes to House rules, campaign finance reform, and other good government legislation. Please send them a short mahalo as well!
Rep. Della Au Bellati (Chair) repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Terez Amato repamato@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Tina Grandinetti repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Ikaika Hussey rephussey@capitol.hawaii.gov,
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Julie Reyes Oda repreyesoda@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Amy Perruso repperruso@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Kanani Souza repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov
I mean really, who would not be supportive of increasing transparency and accountability? Who would not want to eliminate or at least reduce government corruption and “pay to play”?
I’m guessing we’ll wake up on the morning of January 16 and know the answer.
Gary Hooser
8 years – Kaua`i County Council
8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Now…just doing what I can to make our world a better place.
GaryHooser's Blog 
I appreciate your posts, I really do, but I find (for me, at least), when there is an example testimony, which I will personalize, I am more likely to submit my support or denial of whatever bill or policy. Sometimes, my heart is there, but my brain is tired, and so, if there’s a way if, even if only occasionally, you can provide an ‘example’, I’d appreciate it.
Mahalo for the hard work that you do, and for all the good information you put out there!
Got it. I will try to do better but also know that your email to legislators is more meaningful when it is not just a “cut and paste” type. When legislators read it they can usually tell and there is more value placed on emails that are more clearly in the words of the sender…even if very short. But I get it and will try to provide more support in this area. Mahalo for making the effort and sending and taking action. That is the main thing…taking some level of action. Mahalo plenty.