Uncertainty is the villain of the moment, and it can only be defeated through assertive action.

Waiting around for something bad to happen is — in and of itself — killing us.

As University of Hawai’i political scientist Colin Moore recently said so eloquently, “Hope is not a strategy.”

Thus, we must hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Our governor and legislative leaders have said repeatedly that there are no immediate plans for a “special legislative session,” and they’re “waiting to see” how Hawai’i will be impacted by the yet-to-be-passed federal budget.

For the past nine months the constant refrain, echoed in the media and from our own congressional delegation, has been THE SKY IS FALLING!

As DOGE has taken a chainsaw to public education, national parks, healthcare and just about every federal program in existence (except the military), we’ve been warned repeatedly about the “pending budget cuts” that are headed our way.

The Big Beautiful Bill raised further the specter of additional cuts to vital state services.

The President loudly threatens further budget cuts to various blue states, cities, and universities which have the audacity to disagree with him.

Meanwhile Hawai’i cowers in the corner, keeping our heads down and our mouths shut, hoping to avoid the ire or attention of the authoritarian who currently occupies the Oval Office.

But in the wise words of Professor Moore, “Hope is not a strategy.”

It is WAY past time for Hawai’i to move off the dime, exercise true proactive leadership, and prepare for what is now on our doorstep.

A special session is needed NOW to ensure that sufficient state funding is available to compensate for the pending federal budget cuts, and/or to enhance and improve existing programs.

A roll-back of the 2024 politically-driven state tax cuts, with an estimated cost of $1 billion per year starting next year, must be put on the table. A half billion dollars per year can easily be “recaptured” while continuing to preserve tax breaks for low-to-middle-income families.

Recently signed into law, Act 310 – which grants two state senators and two state representatives the power to decide, behind closed doors, which nonprofits get a piece of a pie worth $50 million — MUST be fixed. Formerly known as SB933, this is bad policy, bad politics, unconstitutional, AND corruption just waiting to happen.

A special session must also be used proactively to emulate California, which just became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces while conducting official business.

And of course, the 600 lb. gorilla in the room: Our governor and state legislature must insist, loudly, clearly, in writing, and in the courts if necessary – that the U.S. military must take full responsibility for Red Hill, clean up Makua and other locations, follow existing state law, comply with all existing lease conditions, AND stop bullying Hawaii’s people with threats to take Pōhakuloa by force via eminent domain.

I’ll repeat it once again: HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY. We need our Governor, and our state legislators to be PROACTIVE and to schedule a special session NOW.

If you agree and want to do more yourself than just “hope” they do the right thing – please share your thoughts TODAY with:

Governor Josh Green (808) 586-0034
Senate President Ron Kouchi 808-586-6030, senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
Speaker of the House Nadine Nakamura 808-586-6100, repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
AND your district Senator and Representative
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

It will take our collective ACTION to turn our collective HOPE into the reality that we need and deserve.

Gary Hooser
garylhooser.blog