We did it. 320 of you came through and made it happen.

It’s amazing really. Gives me chicken skin. Another one of those high-five, fist bumps, happy-dance on the table kinda moments.

Thank you my friends. Thank you so, so much.

Because of you and the 320 individuals that took the proactive step of getting involved and offering financial support, the 8 citizen plaintiffs have achieved AND exceeded the $20,000 GoFundMe goal needed to cover the core legal expenses in Acasio v State House of Representatives.

Wish I could reach out and hug every single one of you, or at least send you all personal notes of gratitude. Unfortunately (though it protects your privacy), GoFundMe does not release that individual contact information.

I’ll catch up on the hugs when I see you in person at the next court hearing or victory party!

Because of course it doesn’t stop here.

We pause, reflect, and celebrate the awesome victory, then we take the next steps AFTER we hear from the State House of Representatives who’ve issued no public statements whatsoever.

The court decision is unambiguous.

The State House of Representatives violated the Hawaiʻi State Constitution.
(more legal insights here for those who are interested in “just the facts”)

We assume of course that our lawmakers in the House will now start following the law.

But so far they’ve been totally quiet.

Check out Civil Beat on Sunday 06/21, and read more about “Next Steps”.

I encourage you also to continue reaching out to YOUR DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE and continue to ask them “Whose side are you on?” – until they respond in writing to you.

AND please SHARE this story with your friends and networks AND ask them to SHARE and yes, ask them to continue supporting the GoFundMe campaign as the 8 plaintiffs roll up their sleeves for the next phase in this ongoing legal battle.

Everyone should know by now, there’s no giving up and no letting up.

A quick recap on this amazing story.

It was early January 2025 and a handful of private citizens gathered at the Capitol for a “Good Governance Caucus” meeting, only to find out the official House Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures had no plans to hold any public meetings.

Even though their own existing “House Rules” stated clearly that every committee of the House must hold decision making meetings in public AND the fact that the State Constitution says the same thing – the response from House Leadership was “nope” not gonna do that, and “we make our own rules and decide which rules we follow or don’t follow”.

The citizens of course were outraged and hugely disappointed as they were planning specifically to attend the meeting or at least submit testimony to this committee.

I was there and “on the rail” discussing this with various legislators and citizens, and likewise flabbergasted at House Leaderships decision.

Someone asked, “What are we gonna do?” Then another said, “They can’t be allowed to get away with this, let’s call attorneys Lance Collins and Bianca Isaki”.

So we did.

I’ll never forget Lance’s initial response, “This sounds interesting, and I’m interested.”

From there, an informal coalition was formed, 8 citizens who had planned to attend and or testify before this committee, stepped up to be plaintiffs – and a lawsuit was filed.

And on May 29th they/we won.

First Circuit Court Judge James Ashford ruled in Acasio V House of Representatives that the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives violated the Hawaiʻi Constitution when the House Advisory Committee on Rules met in secret and made decisions.

The research, consultations, legal filings and court hearings have stretched out now for 18 months. Lance Collins and Bianca Bianca Isaki have donated hundreds if not thousands of hours of legal services directly and with discounted fees. These two are heroes in my book. They have done, and continue to do truly awesome work for so many in our collective community.

The plaintiffs have also donated their funds, paid their own travel to get to court, and do not receive any money from this whatsoever – all funds raised are paid to fulfill direct legal expenses.

I’ve been there as a volunteer, along with many others, from the beginning – and it’s an honor to walk along-side these 8 AND with Lance and Bianca AND now the 320 of you who’ve made this all possible.

Mahalo to all!

Imua.

Gary Hooser