Most of us are disgusted and have lost all trust in our government.

I for one am sick and tired of reading yet another story about still yet another corrupt Hawaiʻi politician caught taking bribes and or giving their friends lucrative non-bid government contracts that we’re paying for.

The days of sweet-heart deals made in Vegas hotel rooms must end.

Dancing to the tune of big money SuperPacs must end.

The power plays, bullying, and backroom deals, must end.

On August 8th we can do something about it, but we gotta show up.

Today, I focus on the State House of Representatives but the principle applies to the Senate, the County Councils, AND the Congress.

We have 13 emerging leaders (see list at bottom), excellent candidates, running for election to the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives. Each has a proven track record in the community. They share our values, AND our commitment to pulling back the curtain, shining a light, and making positive change happen.

These 13 can win, AND create that tidal wave of positive change we so desperately need, but we must step up and help them.

Here’s how the numbers work.

There are 51 members in the House.

With 17 votes the Hawaiʻi Constitution allows House members to “pull bills to the floor” which eliminates the corrupting power now held by committee Chair’s to unilaterally control legislative outcomes.

Electing a majority of the 13 newcomers plus the 7 or more “good guys” already there and “Boom Shakalaka”!

For those not good at math, that’s 20, which is excruciating close to the truly magic number of 26, and 3 more than the critical 17 specified by the constitution.

In the big square building they call it leverage.

With 17 votes, a group of House members united in purpose, can move bills, force transparency, AND root out the bad actors.

With 26 votes or a simple majority of House membership, a similar group could reorganize the House from top to bottom and use their combined leverage to ensure the Senate, and the Governor remain on the straight and narrow – putting people and the planet first.

After all, nothing can get done without all 3 – House, Senate, and Governor being in a agreement.

AND in case you were wondering, the 17 members needed to “pull bills from the floor” and/or 26 needed to “re-organize”, do not all need to be from the same political party.

Though the custom and practice is to “organize” within a single Party, it is entirely possible for 19 Democrats to join with 6 Republicans and 1 Green Party member to achieve the magic number of 26.

AND it’s important to remember that 17 is really the tipping point.

If the goal is to eliminate the “killing of bills behind closed doors” and force the House to conduct its legislative committee business in the sunshine (as is required by the State Constitution) – then 17 individuals of character and integrity are all that are needed.

If the primary goal is honesty, transparency, and sunshine, then Party affiliation does not matter.

What matters is having 17 Representatives, united in purpose. 17 people who might disagree on other matters of policy, but who share a common goal of restoring faith and confidence in our local government, AND willing to ruffle a few feathers to make it happen.

Please think about this when casting your vote in the coming days.

Whether it’s for County Council, State House or Senate, Congress, or the Lieutenant Governor – please vote for candidates willing to ACTIVELY reject the bribery, secrecy, backroom deals, pay-to-play, and political corruption, that currently dominates and debilitates our democracy.

13 excellent candidates running for State House

District #2 Holt, Cristina (Tina)
Hilo

District #3 Keawekane, Kuulei (Kiana)
Portion of Hilo · Keaukaha · Orchidlands Estate · Ainaloa · Hawaiian Acres · Fern Acres · Portions of Kurtistown Keaʻau

District #10 Kaho’ohanohano, Ki’i
Portion of Waiehu · Paukūkalo · Wailuku · Wailuku Heights · Waikapū · Hayashi Village

District #12 Kuoha, Keoni
Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, Kula, Pūlehu, ʻUlupalakua, Kanaio, Kahikinui

District #14 Kiakona, Pa’ele
Lāhainā · Kahakuloa · Waiheʻe · Maʻalaea · Olowalu · Lahainaluna · Kaʻanapali · Mahinahina · Kahana · Honokahua

District #19 Pacarro, Kahi
Waiʻalae-Kāhala · ʻĀina Haina · Niu Valley · Kuliʻouʻou

District #21 Morrow, Jake Takaya
Pālolo Valley — St. Louis Heights — Kaimukī — Maunalani Heights — Wilhelmina Rise —

District #26 Fujinaka, Janel S.
Makiki, Tantalus, Punchbowl, and Papakōlea

District #28 Alves, Nadia
Sand Island · Iwilei · Chinatown
I know from first hand experience that Nadia Alves is awesome.

District #30 Kealoha, Kekoa O Pololu
Kalihi, Kalihi Kai, Keʻehi Lagoon, Hickam Village

District #39 Rosenlee, Corey
Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili, and Portion of Waipahu

District #42 Paris, Anthony Makana
Portions of Varona Village, ‘Ewa, and Kapolei, Fernandez Village

District #45 Kaopua, Kalehua
Waiʻanae, Mākaha

Gary Hooser
Former State Senator
http://www.garyhooser.blog