Both literally and figuratively, we wait daily for the next bomb to drop.

The United States government is like a demented circus show, providing live, onstage, non-stop world entertainment with dark and deadly consequences.

The President, without question, has crossed over from predictably unpredictable to maniacal madman.

He’s surrounded by enablers who bend at the knee, kiss his ring, and thank him for his wisdom (and stock tips).

We have a Secretary of War who believes the job of the military is to “kill people and break things.” He believes that rules of engagement, compliant with international law and designed to prevent civilian deaths, war crimes, and the escalation of violence, are for weaklings and losers.

Under the guise of pragmatism, jobs, and economic development, our state leaders are rushing to capture the money that comes from selling one’s soul to the devil.

Please read “Military wants Hawaiʻi to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing” in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (and if you are interested in my thoughts, read “Can’t Make This Stuff Up, And It’s Sickening” at garyhooser.blog).

Owners and major shareholders of Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and General Dynamics are laughing all the way to the bank.

Every bomb dropped, and every missile fired, means more profits for arms manufacturers, and more jobs and more “economic development” in the towns, cities, and states where they are located.

Many at the top of the military, business, and government economic development food chain want to ensure that Hawaiʻi doesn’t miss out on all of that money.

Consequently, they insist that Hawaiʻi must become the center of Pacific arms manufacturing, so that local families can benefit financially from death and destruction, too.

Our state government has actually established an agency whose mission is to convince you this is a good thing. It’s called the Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO), and it’s part of the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

MACRO’s mission is basically that of a public relations office responsible for evaluating and managing “public sentiment” in support of U.S. military operations in Hawaiʻi, and supporting a pipeline of workers and small businesses for the defense industry.

Leadership at MACRO has stated publicly: “We are not recruiting for the military, and we do not work directly for the Department of Defense.”

However, MACRO’s top staff includes a U.S. Navy officer. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense has provided MACRO with over $8 million in start-up funding (via DEBDT).

According to DBEDT, MACRO’s mission and goals include…”implementing education and training programs aligned with defense industry needs… [and] train or engage at least 500 students statewide through STEM, Cyber, and Trades programs aligned with defense industry workforce needs.”

While we can parse the words, MACRO is clearly working in alignment to fulfill the needs of the Department of Defense. Clearly, a key part of its mission is to train/groom/recruit people for military and weapons manufacturing-related jobs.

In addition to the federal funding, Hawai’i’s state budget also included “$650,000 in both fiscal years for the Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO).” (Maui Now, March 6, 2025)

And just recently, via SB3240 and HB2235, MACRO sought another $1,300,000 for the same purposes. Fortunately, in my opinion, both bills died in the House.

My message today: We must honor and respect our men and women in uniform serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, but we also MUST resist the siren’s call of the money, jobs, and economic development that are promised with a buildup of military operations here in the islands.

We CAN do better. We can teach our children about the importance of mutual respect, negotiation, de-escalation and conflict resolution.

We can focus on diversifying our economy, starting with food and energy independence, healthcare, and education.

Please join me in reminding our government leaders that we live in a community grounded in the core values of aloha. We must honor those values, and resist selling out to the highest bidders.