GaryHooser's Blog

Just a quick note that the earlier blog post has been slightly edited and the updated version is here: https://garyhooser.blog/2025/01/12/title-what-we-need-on-opening-day/

Hope and inspiration is what we need. Hope and inspiration backed by tangible action that says loud and clear the days of “pay to play” at the Hawai’i State legislature, are over.

Current legislative rules allow a single individual committee chair, to kill a legislative proposal without a hearing, without a vote, and without a reason.

It’s common knowledge that some committee chair’s have killed bills for personal, political, and financial reasons. While most holding those positions are honorable in their intent, some will inevitably abuse the power to help their friends and hurt their enemies. It’s an ugly and corrupt reality driven by the unilateral power granted by the “rules”.

Existing House rules governing “bill referrals” permit the referral of bills to the House Finance Committee even when there’s zero impact on the budget. This referral grants the House Finance Chair life or death control over every single legislative proposal introduced.

The Rules also allow legislative proposals to be amended “verbally” with the actual language inserted after the vote and after the public has left the room.

Can’t make this stuff up.

Please join me in sending an “Opening Day” message to each and every legislator.

The time to reform legislative rules, campaign finance, and ethics law is now.

Now’s the time to stand up and be counted, to say loud and clear – enough already.

January 15, 2025, the first official day of the Hawai’i State Legislative Session – is when the first tangible actions must be taken.

We don’t need or want flowery words, platitudes, and promises – without tangible action.

Legislative Rules Reform can take place in a single action and vote by a majority of legislators in either or both legislative bodies. While House Rules have received the most attention and in the greatest need of reform, Senate Rules must also be amended to increase transparency and accountability.

The State Constitution, Article III, Section 12 states “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

Both the House and Senate routinely violate this Constitutional provision. Both chambers have rules now allowing decision-making behind closed doors, and grant Committee Chairs the power to kill bills without public notice, public justification, or a public vote.

Legislative rules can easily be amended to increase transparency and accountability, and decrease the opportunity for legislative misconduct and corruption.

All it takes is leadership. The move for such reform should come from behind the leadership podium, but can also come from members on the floor.


Please take a moment to contact your own district legislator and urge them to support Rules Reform to increase transparency and accountability: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

Then contact House/Senate Leadership with the same message:
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura: repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senate President Ronald Kouchi: senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

There’s a House Good Government Caucus proposing specific changes to House rules, campaign finance reform, and other good government legislation. Please send them a short mahalo as well!

Rep. Della Au Bellati (Chair) repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Terez Amato repamato@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Tina Grandinetti repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Ikaika Hussey rephussey@capitol.hawaii.gov,
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Julie Reyes Oda repreyesoda@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Amy Perruso repperruso@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Kanani Souza repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

I mean really, who would not be supportive of increasing transparency and accountability? Who would not want to eliminate or at least reduce government corruption and “pay to play”?

I’m guessing we’ll wake up on the morning of January 16 and know the answer.

Gary Hooser
8 years – Kaua`i County Council
8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Now…just doing what I can to make our world a better place.

The 2025 legislative session opens on Wednesday January 15th and we will know then whether or not the House is going to amend their rules to achieve greater transparency and accountability – or whether nothing will change and all the talk is just…talk.

At the end of the day on Wednesday we will know who supports positive and reasonable change, and who does not.

While I remain cautiously optimistic, and hopeful – I also know we can assume nothing and must continue to push, encourage, cajole, and nudge each and every representative to support Rules Reform all the way until the final vote.

So please join with me today and every day up until they vote on Wednesday, and contact your district legislator and those listed below with that simple message. “Please support Rules Reform and follow the lead of the House Good Government Caucus.”

The House Good Government Caucus has taken the lead and proposing specific changes that if included in the new rules, will significantly increase transparency and accountability. Please send them an email today or ASAP – and thank them for the good work they’re doing. Short and to the point is fine!

Good Government Caucus
Rep. Della Au Bellati (Chair)
Rep. Terez Amato
Rep. Tina Grandinetti
Rep. Ikaika Hussey
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto
Rep. Julie Reyes Oda
Rep. Amy Perruso
Rep. Kanani Souza

Here is a sample “group email” you can cut and paste (but please “make it your own”).

repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov, repamato@capitol.hawaii.gov, repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov, rephussey@capitol.hawaii.gov, repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, repreyesoda@capitol.hawaii.gov, repperruso@capitol.hawaii.gov, repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

Aloha Rep. Belatti and Members of the Good Government Caucus,

Just want to say thank you for the work you’re doing regarding potential rule changes in the House, as well as the other Good Government priorities you’re supporting.

My hope is that on opening day, the House will pass new rules significantly increasing transparency and accountability.

Mahalo for your help in making this happen.
*************************************************************************************
Separately – Please also send an email to the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure asking them to notify you when they schedule a meeting to discuss and make decisions on their recommendations. Ask them also to support passing new rules that significantly increase transparency and accountability.

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura
Rep. Linda Ichiyama
Rep. Sean Quinlan
Rep. Chris Todd
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov, repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov, repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov, reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Please remind the also, politely and professionally as always…that Rule 20 states clearly, “…Every meeting of a special committee, interim committee, or the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure shall be noticed in the same manner as applicable to a standing committee. And…all your asking for is notice!
***********************************************************
Apologies- The above post assumes readers have been following this issue. My bad.

The reforms being proposed by a coalition of community groups and backed by an increasing number of House members are common sense changes to rules governing the basic legislative process.

If passed, the rule changes would require that passage or failure of legislative proposals be based on a committee vote and not by a single individual committee chair.

Yes, it sounds pretty basic.

A bill for a new law is proposed, a public hearing is held, the legislative committee votes, and a decision is made.

Unfortunately this is not the way it currently happens in that big square building on Beretania Street.

Proposed reforms would also require public testimony be made available to the public when submitted, and proposed changes/amendments to legislation disclosed publicly in writing prior to the vote.

Again, this is basic democracy, good government stuff – but not the way it’s now done at the Capitol.

Rules governing the “bill referral process” now allow the House Finance Committee to control every single legislative proposal that’s proposed, even if there’s zero impact on the budget.

Existing rules grant the Finance Chair total control – no exaggeration, no hyperbole. The proposed reforms would eliminate this extreme concentration of power and allow referral to the Finance Committee only those bills that require funding or otherwise have budget implications.

There’s more but the above is probably the most egregious elements that need changing.
Here’s further background on the House Rules movement and examples of the type of Reforms needed.

Mahalo for taking action TODAY and for circulating this message to your networks. It’s important that Representatives hear from citizens that Rules Reform is important.

Affordable housing must remain a top priority in the 2025 Hawai’i legislative session.

There’re many paths to get there. Unfortunately, the large landowners, real estate developers, contractors, and all the big money guys, will once again be focusing their demands on “streamlining” land-use regulations and “fast-tracking” rezoning and permitting processes.

We each see the world through our own unique lens. Many of us believe these laws are essential tools needed to protect people and the planet from the pillage and plunder of unchecked capitalism. Others who profit from that capitalism, see them as unnecessary, cumbersome, and expensive impediments to development (and related profits).

Development friendly legislators will support bills reducing land use regulation, but rarely introduce measures to increase staffing of the agencies responsible for doing the work.

The land development industry is a formidable political force united in pushing to reduce environmental protections, limit public input, and expand upward the definition of “affordability”.

These are attractive political options because they have no immediate financial cost or “budget impact”. They cost nothing to implement but the long term negative impacts on people and our natural environment can be significant and irreversible.

Hawai’i is one of the most beautiful and most desirable places to live on the planet. The demand for real estate here is thus, insatiable.

The median income for a family of 4 living in Hawai’i is $133,656 (100% AMI). This means half earn more, and half less.

It’s this bottom half of income earners who need the most help but the push by developers is for “workforce” housing, serving households earning up to 140% of AMI.

While it’s hard to believe, new homes in Hawai’i can be priced at $700,000 and still qualify as affordable “workforce” housing.

The overall median price of a home in Hawai’i as of December 2024 was $975,000 and the average price was $1,246,145.

Developers and their friends at the legislature will tell you any new housing is good housing, and that there’s a “trickle down” effect.

But the so-called trickle down theory does not work in here. Real estate prices are always drawn upward – pulled always by the insatiable demand. A resident moves into a new “work force” housing unit, and their previous home is then rented to a new occupant at a higher rate – always seeking the market price.

Meanwhile, no one’s building anything for those folks working full time, often at multiple jobs – yet living in the garage of friends and family, or in their car down at the beach park.

We must support the development of new workforce housing, but the most critical need is for those earning below 100% of median income.

No developer or land owner will develop truly affordable “below market” housing unless required to do so by government or offered generous government incentives.

Selling homes “below market” translates to a potential windfall profit for buyers. Consequently, homes sold benefiting from government/developer subsidies must include buy-back provisions, prohibitions against vacation rental, and/or other “anti-speculation” clauses.

Yes, there are many paths to increasing affordable housing: Direct financial subsidies, tax credits, developer mandates, low interest loans for ADU rental construction, government backed first-time home-buyer mortgages, expanded sewer systems, urban redevelopment, and “Singapore style” transit oriented development – to name just a few.

We can do this. We can do it without compromising environmental protections, and we can do it in a manner that supports those with the greatest needs first.

There’s no shortage of wealth in the islands to help pay for it. Foreign investors, uber-wealthy second-home owners, corporations “banking” lands in existing urban areas, the hotels, tourists and more – all have capacity to help fund affordable housing, and none are leaving because their taxes are too high.

Screenshot

“Publicly funded Clean Elections, Rules Reform to increase transparency and accountability, and tightening campaign spending laws are all worthy goals.” will be the refrain from almost every State legislator in the building.

However when pressed, many will then say, “There’s no money, the proposals are impractical and difficult to implement, and there’s probably not enough support (votes) to pass them this year.”

“Keep working on it, form a task force, conduct a study, and maybe come back next year with a pilot project”, will be the friendly encouragement offered.

You of course listen politely, then respectfully point to several States that have already implemented Clean Election programs. You suggest further that following their model and learning from their experience shouldn’t be that complicated. You point out if passed in 2025 significant funding would not be needed until 2028 and in any case, Hawai’i has over $1.5 billion sitting in our rainy day fund.

You might then pivot to reforming the internal House/Senate rules, which can be done at zero or minimal cost. Suggesting perhaps, if more time is needed, additional “recess” days can be added, and duplicate bills can be combined. In fact, there are many ways to achieve the desired outcome of more transparency, more accountability, more public participation.

Request they review how other states (with similar “session days”) manage to require hearings and public votes, and amendments in writing – prior to the votes.

Point out the inappropriateness of legislators transferring thousands of dollars donated to their campaign into the bank accounts of other legislator’s campaigns.

And yes, remind them yet once again about fixing the law allowing officers and family members of government contractors to give money directly to the campaign of legislators who introduce and support bills funding these same government contractors.

The “Good Governance” initiatives being proposed this year (and every year) reduce the power and thus increase the political vulnerability of sitting legislators. Therein lies the problem. Incumbent legislators like their jobs and their power.

I get it.

Passing “Clean Elections” will reduce the power of big money and result in greater competition on election day. Fewer incumbents will run unopposed.

Most of us believe competition at the polls is a good thing, and getting money out of elections is a valuable and worthy goal.

Increasing transparency and accountability by reducing the current unilateral power of Committee Chairs to “kill bills” in the dark behind closed doors, without a public hearing or a public vote – is an obvious positive step in the right direction but will be vehemently opposed by those who now hold that power.

Ditto to tightening rules governing campaign donations between legislators themselves, and from the officers and family members of government contractors who directly benefit from the actions of those legislators.

Those in power are afraid of losing it.

Even those legislators who “mostly vote the right way” will tell us privately, “If we pass these things, it will force me to take controversial votes and help Republicans. It’s much better to kill these things in private.”

When pressed on increasing public participation, they’ll often respond, “Public meetings take up way too much time. I do my research and don’t need to spend hours and hours listening to ill-informed members of the public who don’t understand how things work around here.”

Bottom line: Those of us who believe increasing transparency and accountability, and reducing the influence of money in politics are fundamental to improving our Democracy – must work harder to overcome the self-serving nature of recalcitrant incumbents who think they know it all.

2026 cannot get here quick enough.

Gary Hooser
8 years – Kaua`i County Council
8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Now…just doing what I can to make our world a better place.

In a previous blog post we discussed House Rules – Rules of the House – Up Close and Personal

I also wrote earlier (copied below) about House Speaker Nakamura appointing a 4 member committee to review House Rules and possibly make recommendations – but also noted, that contrary to existing rules and the State Constitution, there seemed to be no intent on the part of the Speaker or the Committee to actually hold a public hearing, and allow public testimony on this issue.

After reading the existing rules again closely today, I’ve discovered it’s even worse than I previously thought.

It seems Speaker Nakamura and her leadership team are already breaking the existing rules in two areas:

#1) The appointment of the Vice Speaker to be a voting member of 4 committees is clearly a violation of existing rules.

#2) Unless the recently appointed committee conducts it’s meetings and votes in public as if it were a “standing committee”, that will also be breaking the existing House rules – and the Hawaii Constitution (see below reference to constitution)

The Vice Speaker, Representative Linda Ichiyama has been officially appointed to serve as a voting member of 4 committees Consumer Protection & Commerce, Legislative Management, Public Safety, Water & Land –

HOWEVER THE RULES CLEARLY STATE SHE SHALL BE AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER WITHOUT A VOTE – EXCEPT SHE SHALL SERVE AS A VOTING MEMBER OF COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT.

It is my understanding that this rule has been in place from the beginning…as in the first rules approved in 1959.

Rule 3. The Vice Speaker The Vice Speaker shall consult with and advise the standing committees and assist them in their work as an ex officio member without vote and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Speaker; provided that the Vice Speaker shall serve as a voting member of the Committee on Legislative Management. In the absence of the Speaker, the Vice Speaker shall exercise all the duties and powers of the Speaker.

Rule 14. Special Committee 14.1. The Speaker may appoint special committees for special or temporary purposes to consider and report on such special or temporary matters referred to it. 14.2. Special committees shall consist of not less than three members each, unless otherwise ordered by the House, to serve until discharged or until finally reporting on such matters referred to them. 14.3. Meetings of special committees shall be conducted in the same manner as provided for standing committees.

11.5. Standing Committee Meetings. (1) Meetings (hearings and informational briefings) shall be held in public, be simultaneously broadcast, and be recorded for subsequent viewing on the legislative platform. The public may attend meetings in person or via broadcast. Meeting notices shall include instructions relating to public participation and public testimony. In the event of any unforeseeable or unavoidable circumstances that are beyond the control of the House or any other party, the committee may (a) proceed without simultaneous broadcast or (b) cancel or reschedule the meeting.

Rule 19. Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure The Speaker shall, prior to the convening of a legislative session in an odd numbered year, establish an Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure. The committee shall include at least one member from the minority party. The Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure shall review these Rules and propose to the House such amendments as the committee deems appropriate.

Rule 20. Open Committee Meetings Every committee authorized and/or established under Part III of these Rules shall be a committee of the House. Every meeting of a committee of the House or of a committee composed of a member or members from the House and the Senate held for the purpose of making decisions on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public; provided that certain kinds of meetings, including executive sessions, organizational meetings, partisan caucuses, and meetings the subject of which involves the invasion of a person’s right to privacy if made public, need not be open to the public. Every meeting of a special committee, interim committee, or the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure shall be noticed in the same manner as applicable to a standing committee.

* Note1: There has been no notice of any meeting scheduled or held by the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure – So either they have not yet met and have no immediate plans to meet, or they are meeting in private which violates the House Rules.

Note2: The purpose of the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure is specifically to review and make recommendations on Rules and Procedure and NOT to “organize” the House as that organization is not accomplished via a designated committee but through informal discussions that culminate in a majority consensus. In the matter before the committee today especially, the House is already “organized” and the only item designated to the committee is to review and make recommendations on the rules.

I welcome any legal minds…to tell me I’m wrong or to point out other areas that we should be looking at or strategies we might employ to encourage House Leadership to follow their own rules and do the right thing.

Here’s my earlier notes.
According to a memo circulated to House members –  House Speaker Nakamura has appointed a 4 member committee, Rep. Linda Ichiyama, Rep. Sean Quinlan, Rep. Chris Todd, and Rep. Lauren Matsumoto  to review House Rules and possibly make recommendations.

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov
repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov
reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Unfortunately, I’m hearing that contrary to existing House rules and the State constitution – there may be no public meetings of this committee, possibly no public testimony will be allowed, and that all discussion and decision-making may be done behind closed doors. The Committee has only 10 days from its formation on 12/31 to review existing House Rules and the existing House Financial and Administrative Manual and report its recommendations prior to January 10.

State Constitution Article III, Section 12 “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

Truly can’t make this stuff up.

I encourage all who support reforming the rules to contact the 5 Representatives listed above, AND your own district Representative – TODAY.  Professionally and politely please – Request notification of any meetings to be held by this committee per Rule 20. Request that the committee take the time needed to hold proper public hearings, and allow people from every island to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on this important topic –

In a previous blog post we discussed the need to reform the House Rules and increase transparency and accountability – Up Close and Personal “Meet the new House boss, same as the old House boss”. 

Here’s a quick and rough update.

According to a memo circulated to House members –  House Speaker Nakamura has appointed a 4 member committee, Rep. Linda Ichiyama, Rep. Sean Quinlan, Rep. Chris Todd, and Rep. Lauren Matsumoto  to review House Rules and possibly make recommendations.

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov
repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov
reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Unfortunately, I’m hearing that contrary to existing House rules and the State constitution – there may be no public meetings of this committee, possibly no public testimony will be allowed, and that all discussion and decision-making may be done behind closed doors. The Committee has only 10 days from its formation on 12/31 to review existing House Rules and the existing House Financial and Administrative Manual and report its recommendations prior to January 10.

State Constitution Article III, Section 12 “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

Truly can’t make this stuff up.

I encourage all who support reforming the rules to contact the 5 Representatives listed above, AND your own district Representative – TODAY.  Professionally and politely please – Request that the committee take the time needed to hold proper public hearings, and allow people from every island to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on this important topic –

Stop talking and just do it please. Just jump in the deep-end and start swimming. Trust me, it’ll be ok. Yes, learn from others who’ve gone before you – but take that critical first step now, today…before you talk yourself out of it yet again.

I’m talking of course about getting ACTIVELY involved in the world of policy and politics. Whether as a grass-roots community “issue advocate”, an active member of a non-profit advocacy group, or candidate for election to public office – now, today, is the moment in time to start.

It’s the only way we win. And it’s not going to happen unless you step up. Without increased and sustained civic engagement from regular folks like you – people and the planet will lose (or rather will keep losing).

What does winning look like? For starters, it’s affordable housing and healthcare. It’s a world that values protecting our natural environment, clean water, air, and food.

We’re not asking for much but we’re not getting any of it unless we each step up and take personal responsibility for our collective future.

Read The Scheme by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island). It’s about how dark money is taking over our government. It will blow you away.

We cannot win the money game. The only way to beat big money is through collective, individual, grass-roots action, starting at the local level.

Which is why I’m here today to encourage, cajole, plead, beg, and hopefully inspire you to get more involved.

The first step is to take your concerns beyond social media, directly to the policy-makers.

Start with the Hawai’i State legislature. The 2025 Regular Session opens on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:00 a.m.. The Capitol “Public Access Room” offers excellent and free advocacy training https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/

To be effective you must communicate most frequently with the elected official who represents you and your district. Here’s an official, easy, online tool that provides the name and contact info of your own district State Representative and Senator: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

For first timers, perhaps start with a very short message:

“Aloha, As a constituent living in the district I’m writing to request your support for publicly funded “Clean Elections”, reform of “legislative rules” to increase transparency, and strengthening of campaign spending laws. Thank you in advance for responding to this email so I might know your position on these important issues.”

Send an email today please. It’s important that your district legislator know asap what issues are important to you, and that you are paying attention.

Of course choose whatever topic/issues most important to you. Just send the darn email!

Once you’ve sent the email, consider taking your advocacy to the next level and join the Clean Elections Coalition, Common Cause, Our Hawai’i, and the Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) – for a Good Governance Lobby Day – Thursday, January 9, 2024 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Hawai’i State Capitol.

This is a great way build relationships with legislators and other advocates. To attend the Good Government Lobby Day, register please with the nonprofit advocacy groups organizing the gathering at: https://tinyurl.com/57xskwne

If you’re already actively involved, have roots in the community, and some proven track record of leadership (school or PTA involvement, soccer coach, canoe club, Rotary, small business, nonprofit, etc) – maybe it’s time to throw your hat in the ring and run for election to public office.

2026 is right around the corner. If you’re serious about running and winning, now is the time to commit. If this is you, consider the HAPA Kuleana Academy – https://www.hapahi.org/kuleana-academy-program

There you have it. 3 steps representing 3 levels of activity for those of you wanting to help change the world.

Please. Follow your naʻau. Take a step or two today. We need you.

Gary Hooser
8 years on the Kaua`i County Council
8 years in the Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
now…just continuing to do what I can to make our world a better place

Full disclosure. I’m the volunteer Board President of HAPA. The Board sets policy and hires the ED who runs the organization. I get paid nothing and HAPA is not connected to this blog, nor with my email, and does not approve, or in any way direct my writing. https://www.hapahi.org

Just finished reading The Scheme by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island)
Wow. Just wow.

I’m a big boy and been working in the policy and political environment with my eyes wide open for the past 20 years, and this book is still blowing me away.

I strongly encourage all who are serious about understanding what’s really going on…to read this book.

Written by a very credible US Senator, dense yet easy to read, and extensively researched.

He connects the dots we all knew/know are/were there already…but to have it described so clearly by such a credible voice is amazing, troubling, unsettling…

Words fail me…

Hard to truly fathom the extent…and broad implications of the huge amounts of dark money flowing into all areas of government and the public sector.

While the book primarily focuses on the take-over of our judicial system by big money rightwing interests…It’s clear that massive amounts of dark money are consciously, deliberately, and systematically assaulting government from all angles and manipulating every aspect of public policy and life.

Courts
Elections
Climate
Healthcare
Food
Water
Wages
Housing
Media
Etc

My brain is wired such that it always pivots to “What can/must we do?” and “think global and act local”.

My first thought is that locally this means fighting back against SuperPacs trying to buy our local elections. It probably also means pulling back the curtain to expose who is actually behind the dark money…not just what 501c4 or what corporation or organization…but what people are actually writing the checks and pulling the levers to pick and choose who they want to win and lose…at all levels…from Governor to State House and Senate to County Council races on every island…and of course our U.S. Congressional delegation is a target as well.

This kind of investigation is above my pay grade but am hoping others can dig in. Also hoping (perhaps naively so) that our legislature will pass additional disclosure laws forcing the dark money into the sunshine. We can’t win the money game…we can’t out raise the big money…but in our small communities and small election districts…we can and we must…beat them on the ground with people power.

A political fact of life is that people who give money to candidates, have greater access to those candidates. When those candidates turn into legislators or council members – they’ll be obligated to those who helped them which at minimum means an open door and a direct line of communication.

The good news is the State of Maine and a handful of others have come up with a better way.

I’ve never thought much about Maine. I just know it’s a small state located somewhere on the Canadian border – and it’s cold.

However, a friend who now lives there sent me a report that warmed me right up. You might say it lit a fire.

“The Maine Clean Elections program remains strong, with most candidates for the Maine legislature choosing to run Clean in 2024. We are also proud that in the second year of Portland’s new Clean Elections program, all 12 candidates for city council ran Clean.” Maine Citizens for Clean Elections

Wow. Just wow.

Clean Publicly Funded Elections: Wouldn’t that be a nice present for Hawai’i to unwrap at the end of the upcoming 2025 legislative session?

“The Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) established a voluntary program of full public financing of political campaigns for candidates running for Governor, State Senator, and State Representative…To become eligible, candidates must demonstrate community support through collecting a minimum number of checks or money orders of $5 more made payable to the Maine Clean Election Fund. After a candidate begins to receive MCEA funds from the State, he or she cannot accept private contributions, and almost all goods and services received must be paid for with MCEA funds.” maine.gov

In addition to Maine – Arizona, Connecticut and New Mexico also have comprehensive publicly funded clean election laws firmly in place.

For those worried about giving away taxpayer money to the criminal, the unglued, and the out to lunch – experience in these 4 states show that risk is small as the “compliance requirements” (translation – rules you must follow and paperwork you must fill out) are significant.

In the coming 2025 Hawai’i legislative session, there will no doubt be Clean Election initiatives proposed that mirror the successful programs already in place elsewhere.

We must work hard in the coming months to ensure passage of a strong Clean Elections initiative here in Hawai’i.

“How am I possibly going to raise $20,000 – $30,000, to run a campaign?” is the question preventing many a good person from taking up the call to run for election to public office.

I know from personal experience even the skimpiest of campaign budgets require yard signs, banners, web/internet and print media promotion, brochures to hand out, and at least one mailer, preferably two or more.

In order to win, voters need to know who you are and what you stand for. To win you must also “look like a real candidate” and real candidates have campaign signs and banners, and do at least some advertising.

In Hawai’i (but not Maine, Arizona, Connecticut, and New Mexico) this means a candidate must solicit money from private interests to back their campaign.

There’s a “hierarchy of political access” and large donors do not wait in line.

When policy-makers are ultimately faced with voting on issues directly impacting their donors, they’ll always consider the needs of those donors and do whatever possible to accommodate them.

It’s just the way the world works. It doesn’t mean that every policy-maker will lie, cheat, steal, or cause harm to the general public interest for their donors – but of course some do.

And all are pulled, nudged, encouraged, and sometimes bullied, to go down that path.

Passing “Clean Elections” legislation would be a huge and positive step away from the pay-to-play culture that permeates Hawai’i politics today.

Mahalo and Merry Christmas to our friends in Maine leading the way.

Gary Hooser
8 years on the Kaua`i County Council
8 years in the Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
now…just continuing to do what I can to make our world a better place

above first publishing in The Garden Island Newspaper 12/25/24