No one is going to ride in on a white horse to lead us toward a sane, just, kinder tomorrow.

It’s up to US — each of us and all of us.

WE are the answer. When we show up, we WIN.

There’s no shortage of examples — from the civil rights movement to the overthrow of kings and dictators across the planet, to battles for Kahoʻolawe, Mauna Kea, and countless other sacred places and critical issues that have come before our County Councils and State Legislature.

When we show up, we win.

So, let’s do this, folks.

Here are three tangible and important ways we can and MUST show up to change our world right here in Hawai‘i nui.

1. SHOW UP IN PERSON: Please join Clean Elections Monday, February 23 at 10am at the State Capitol Rotunda on Beretania Street.

A wide coalition of advocacy groups in support of passing Clean Elections legislation will gather to host a press conference to say the time is NOW. Your help is needed to simply stand in solidarity with those who will be in attendance. The larger the group, the stronger the message.

The $35,000-in-a-paper-bag debacle makes it crystal clear: We need Clean Elections NOW! We need elections that are publicly funded. We need campaign finance reform. We must end the “pay to play” culture that permeates and disgraces our government. We need and demand and deserve real and effective LEADERSHIP from our elected officials. Hawai‘i can, and MUST, do better.

This is bigger than any politician or donor. The system ITSELF needs to be fixed to restore the public trust, and legislators have the opportunity to act THIS session.

It’s an election year. The wind is at our backs. Please show up if you can, and bring as many friends as you can, to help send the strongest message possible.

2. MAKE THOSE CALLS to the Governor and Congressional delegation and tell them NO! We absolutely do NOT want Hawaiʻi to be the “hub for Pacific arms manufacturing” (Can’t make this stuff up. And it’s sickening. More on this issue, and contact-info for your reps – HERE Can’t make this stuff up. And it’s sickening.

Note on making calls: You’ll probably get an answering machine, especially if you call after normal business hours. Please be brief, concise, polite and professional, and make sure you let your rep know your name and what island you live on.

3. SHOW UP ONLINE AND VIA EMAIL: Share and “Like” advocacy posts on social media! Send email to the State Senator and Representative who work for your district! Trust me, it’s easy. I’ve provided a clear and basic example at Policy Advocacy – The Most Important First Step

Remember a key universal truth of all revolutions: ¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!

A people united will never be defeated.

But first? WE GOTTA SHOW UP.