Blaming immigrants, the mail man, and local election officials for manipulating our elections is convenient, and makes for easy sound bites that resonate with many.

In reality illegal voting by illegal immigrants, occurs in minuscule numbers, voting by mail is hugely popular, and the entire local election process is closely monitored.

The real culprits, hiding in plain sight, are the rich businessmen and their SuperPacs who spend millions to elect candidates who will then, help them get even more rich.

But yes, it’s much easier to beat up on a faceless, nameless immigrant.

The New York Times reports that nationally in 2026, “$1 billion of dark money is sloshing through the political system…”.

Here in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) via its SuperPac “For a Better Tomorrow” has already spent nearly $9 million this election cycle, AND has over $7 million still in the bank. *per Campaign Spending Commission

That $9,000,000 was spent on manipulating voter opinion in order to elect “their” candidates.

A separate PRP related SuperPac is spending even more money attempting to manipulate voter opinion relating to development related ballot initiatives (visit garyhooser.blog to read my thoughts and position on Con Am #2).

Voters are inundated by television ads, “direct mail” pieces, YouTube videos, social media, and extensive voter polling (voter identification – and “push polling”) – ALL paid for by the SuperPacs AND all in support of their chosen candidates and ballot initiatives.

Elections are won and lost based on positive name recognition, and the candidates supported by the most money – will nearly always win. *70-80% of the time according to the Campaign Legal Center.

When China or the Soviet Union attempt to sway public sentiment and manipulate U.S. elections, the headlines are full of outrage and indignation.

Yet, when 250 Hawaiʻi developers/contractors join together with the State’s largest construction union in Hawaiʻi and manipulate election outcomes, there are only yawns, winks, and shoulder shrugs.

To be absolutely clear: “Manipulate” means, “the act of skillfully or unscrupulously altering something or someone to accomplish one’s own objectives.”

This is what’s happening today.

What exactly does PRP and SuperPac “For a Better Tomorrow”, get for their $9,000,000?

First and foremost, they get eternal gratitude from their chosen candidates AND they get the law changed to favor the profitability of their businesses.

At the very minimum they get access.

Those who benefit, will always take the call, and always make space in their calendar, when asked to do so by their big money benefactor.

The profitability of PRP’s member contractors, is based upon increased government spending on capital improvement projects (CIP), AND the reduction of government regulations for real estate development and construction in general.

Consequently they have a huge stake in the decisions made by Federal, State and County government and are spending large sums of money to elect candidates who will help move these two main planks of their agenda forward.

This does not mean the candidate who benefits from the PRP SuperPac generosity is “crooked” or “corrupt”, but it does mean they are seen as someone who when elected, will lean towards accommodating their needs.

Any candidate who feels they’re being unfairly painted as “in bed with the big money” or otherwise believes their integrity is being challenged by their close association with PRP and “For a Better Tomorrow”- need only express out loud their support for “campaign spending reform”, publicly funded elections, and “closing the contractor loophole”.

But unfortunately they don’t and they won’t – because winning is what’s most important to them. They’ve convinced themselves the benefactor’s wealth and support will not impact their future decisions, and it’s all for the greater good anyway.

Fast-forward: The newly elected official is participating in their first public hearing contemplating passage of the inevitable Bill #XYZ proposing to “reduce environmental protections, remove regulatory impediments, and fast-track development/permitting”.

A text message arrives during the middle of public testimony – “Hello Senator/Representative/Councilmember, I’m watching the live-stream on Bill #XYZ, I can see the environmental community has packed the room, but am hoping we can count on your support to pass it “as is”. Lmk if you need more info, otherwise I look forward to joining you for dinner tonight at Morton’s Steakhouse (unless you prefer the Pacific Club).”

This is the way it works folks.

No one spends $9 million dollars without expecting something in return.

Gary Hooser