Wow! The strong and immediate response from readers to last weeks column, “From my na’au to yours” was both hugely gratifying and somewhat unsettling.

The incoming tide of emotion, love, and aloha, was intense.

Too often our na’au gets buried in the tragedy and injustice. We forget how beautiful our world is, how fortunate we are, and the tremendous potential we hold.

Yes…the work is hard and draining and necessary…and we gotta recharge and reflect and remember the good in the world too.

And then we must get back to work.

I’m asking you to join me today in doing both – reflect, connect, be thankful AND take tangible action to make our world a better place.

The first thing on my list is to honor and help a friend.

Ray Catania is the real deal. He’s a working class hero who lives and breathes and fights daily for social and economic justice.

On October 24, Brother Ray, after collapsing with enormous pain in his spine was airlifted from Kauaʻi to Straub Medical Center on Oahu.

It’s been touch and go, but thankfully he’s pulled through and now in a specialized nursing care facility.

Whenever there’s a battle for the rights of Hawai’i’s everyday people, you can always count on Ray to be there, on the streets, in the union halls, or at the Capitol, tirelessly defending the rights of working people, children, and families.

Ray Catania has dedicated his life to helping others and today he needs our help. Please join me in making a GoFundMe contribution

After helping Ray, please take one other IMPORTANT action – then go outside and take a walk, smell the plumeria, say hello to your neighbors down the street – and feel good.

According to numerous media reports: In 2022, the FBI tape-recorded an influential state legislator accepting $35,000 either as an illegal bribe or an unreported, unethical, and likely illegal contribution to support a campaign.

Unfortunately, there’s been no public disclosure as to who this “influential legislator” is.

Is he or she still holding public office? If so, what new laws or new budget appropriations are they supporting with their influence?

Today, as your second important action, I’m asking you to join me again – this time in the signing of a petition requesting an official investigation to determine if the “influential legislator” is still in office or not, what consequences they face, and what’s being done to get to the bottom of this very ugly mess.

Signatures from across the islands are important but it goes without saying, because Senate President Ronald Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura both represent Kauaʻi – signatures from Kauaʻi residents are especially impactful.

Speaker Nakamura has to her credit reached out for guidance from State and Federal legal/law enforcement agencies.

However this petition remains an essential and important vehicle that sends a strong message to everyone, in every branch of government.

Public corruption will not be tolerated, and may not be merely swept under the rug.

The formula for civic engagement and staying happy and healthy is pretty straight-forward.

#1) Help a friend. (Help Ray!)
#2) Take tangible action to improve our community. (Sign the petition!)
#3) Refuse to accept the negative. (Help Ray and sign the petition!)
#4) Go outside, breathe in the beauty of our islands.
#5) Hug someone you love, and mahalo those who help.

Please.
Let’s do it.
Every. Single. Day.

Gary Hooser