GaryHooser's Blog

“Just the facts ma’am.” That’s the only way to write about the ugly death of HB371.

Below are those facts, sourced from the public record at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov

If passed into law, HB371 would have extended the ban on campaign contributions from government contractors to include company officers and family members. It was described by good government advocates as a critically important measure needed to fight corruption.

But HB371 was not passed into law. It was, instead, killed behind closed doors by Senate President Ron Kouchi, House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Chair Donovan Dela Cruz, and House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita.

These 4 Democrats are the most influential legislators in state government. They held no public meetings to discuss the reasons behind their decision-making. They made their decisions in private; they discussed these decisions with the Conference Committee in private; and the Conference Committee then announced those decisions to the public.

These are facts — not speculation, not opinion, and not hyperbole.

According to the Campaign Spending Commission, it’s common for government contractors to get around the existing campaign contribution ban by having those persons connected to the contractor make political contributions.

Civil Beat called House Bill 371, “arguably the biggest reform measure of the session.” The bill sailed through the House and Senate with unanimous votes of support – both in committee and on the floor.

99% of testimony was in support of HB371. Only one person testified in opposition, citing “freedom of speech” concerns.

Not one Senator or Representative ever voted in opposition.

The first indication there could be a “problem” occurred on 04/22, just prior to the naming of “conferees” to sit on the House Conference Committee. That’s when House Speaker Nakamura “re-referred” the now amended bill, HB371SD1 to House Finance.

This move ensured that House Finance would have a Conference Committee vote – even though the measure had no direct budget impact, and the Finance Committee would hold no hearings.

The Conference Committee is responsible for “working out the differences” between the Senate and House amended versions of the bill.

When the Joint Conference Committee met on 04/22, House Judiciary Chair David Tarnas announced that “leadership was now involved,” the measure would likely thus be “weakened,” and the Committee must await direction from “leadership” (House Speaker Nakamura). It’s important to note that the House Speaker is also an ex officio member of the Judiciary Committee, per House Rules.

At this same meeting, Senate Judiciary Chair Senator Karl Rhoads acknowledged he’d received similar information from Senate Leadership — Senate President Kouchi.

On Friday 04/25, the Conference Committee reconvened. The two chairs announced that “leadership” had proposed significant amendments that weakened the bill, and they’d been unable to receive a “release” from House Finance or Senate WAM. Therefore, the bill would be deferred and is now dead.

HB371 did not require any funding whatsoever, nor did the subsequent and final amended version HB371HD1SD1.

Yet both Representative Yamashita (Chair of House Finance) and Senator Dela Cruz (Chair of WAM) refused to “release” the bill. As of this writing, neither have yet made any on-the-record statements as to their reasoning.

Likewise, neither Senate President Kouchi nor House Speaker Nakamura have issued any public statements about the rationale for their last-minute opposition.

HB371HD1SD1 was killed in the dark and nobody’s talking.

The discussion, deliberation, and decision-making was done in secret, behind closed doors via private “serial communications,” and only announced publicly after it was a done deal.

Hawai’i Democrats can, and must do better. How can we push back effectively against the abuse of power and trampling of the democratic process now occurring in Washington D.C., when here at home on Beretania Street, the same thing is occurring?

Final Fact: Nothing will change unless you, me, and we – take action. Please call and email each AND your own district Rep and Senator. Let them know how you feel about this, and ask them to fix it. Even if they do not respond, it’s important they know how people feel about this.

Final Final Fact. If they do respond, they will say “It’s too late, we’ve missed the deadline.” The truth is every single Senator and Representative has said they support passing HB371 into law. They thus have the votes to extend the deadline or even the legislative session for a few days if needed.

The main 4 legislators responsible for killing HB371:
Senate President Ron Kouchi 808-586-6030 senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura 808-586-6100 repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Chair Donovan Dela Cruz 808-586-6090 sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov
House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita 808-586-6200 repyamashita@capitol.hawaii.gov

The 2 committee Chairs who held the hearings, listened and responded to the public testimony, refined and amended the bill, and then had the rug pulled from beneath them by the above 4:
House Judiciary Chair David Tarnas 808-586-8510 reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads 808-586-6130 senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov

Your District Rep/Senator https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

Please…make the calls…send the emails.
Express your thoughts on this important issue.
Take action.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader

Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

Yay! We did it!

Was a bit stressful, but with the help of a whole lot of people, the first Policy + Politics video/podcast is now one for the history books.

Here it is on YouTube – please check it out, “like” and “share” also if you believe it’s worthy. https://www.youtube.com/@PolicyandPoliticsHI

In addition to YouTube, in the future we will be streaming the program also on other social media venues.

The feedback so far has been universally positive, and additional input from anyone and everyone is welcome and greatly appreciated.

A special thanks goes out to my co-host Aria Juliet Castillo. Without Aria’s support, encouragement, and technical expertise – this wouldn’t have happened.

Mahalo also to Mishka who was/is, the “behind the scenes guy” making things work seamlessly while Aria and I talk story with our special guests.

Carrie Ann Shirota, Policy Director at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi and Representative Amy Perruso, Majority Whip in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives – brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation. Mahalo to you both!

Please join us on May 5th at 5pm for the next Policy + Politics video/podcast that will focus on the craziness that is now occurring at the federal level, the expected near-term impacts on Hawaii, and a bit on the over-all national and international scene.

As a special guest, we’ve confirmed Salmah Rizvi, executive director of ACLU – Hawaii – who will fill us in on the latest developments. We also hope to have other guests who are actively engaged in the ongoing battles – both on the ground and in the halls of government.

Mahalo to all who helped “like” our page Policy + Politics on FaceBook and we continue to work toward streaming there as well as possibly @bluesky and other platforms.

Please – watch, “like” and share our first inaugural show on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@PolicyandPoliticsHI

Mahalo,
Gary Hooser

Serious question: Is there a single member of the State House of Representatives who would say under oath, that every House Committee meeting held for the purpose of making decisions is open to the public?

Anyone who’s served or worked at the legislature knows committee decisions are made PRIOR to the actual public committee meeting, where the decision is “announced.”

Legislators don’t even try very hard to hide this. After public testimony, the Chair often adjourns the regular committee meeting, turns off the microphone and cameras, huddles with staff and maybe a committee member or two. A few minutes later, they turn the cameras back on, reconvene the meeting, and announce the decision they just made in private.

It’s also not uncommon for them to adjourn the public meeting, literally “go out the back into the hallway”, huddle for a few minutes, then return, reconvene the public meeting, and announce the decision they made in private.

At a recent session of the Joint House/Senate Budget Conference Committee, this was totally obvious. The entire public meeting consisted of the two Chairs simply announcing “line items” they had previously agreed to in private. At the meeting’s conclusion, one Chair announced, “We will convene later today to see what we can agree upon, and reconvene (the public meeting) Thursday at 5pm.”

So, it’s pretty darn clear — as in 100% certain, and absolutely a fact — that committee decisions are regularly and routinely (as in all the time) made in private, and merely announced in public.

Article 3 Section 12, paragraph 3 of the State Constitution says, “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.”

Is Hawai‘i’s House of Representatives violating Hawai‘i’s Constitution? First Circuit Court Judge Kawamura will address this question on May 1st at 10:30am at Kaahumanu Hale on Punchbowl Street in Honolulu.

I encourage all who are able, to attend and support in spirit the eight private citizen plaintiffs who’ve brought the suit forward.

My formal law school training is limited, but I did spend 16 years serving in the State Senate and on the County Council.

It’s incredulous to think the State House of Representatives would deny that House Committees make decisions in private. This fact seems incontrovertible.
 
Other than denial, their only defense is to argue “what the constitution says in plain language is not really what it means”. The assertion will be that the drafters of the Constitution, and the voters who approved it, didn’t really intend to require committees to make decisions in public.

Let’s try to think this through. Hang in there, please.

Apparently, in the collective mind of the House, the drafters and voters who ratified the Constitution must have meant it to say that only the “announcement” of the decision — not the actual “decision-making” itself — must be conducted in public.

The House attorneys will no doubt say, “It’s impossible for the business of the House to be conducted any other way. There’s not enough time. This is the way we’ve always done it!”

Of course, they’d ignore the fact that every County Council, operating under the Sunshine Law, conducts all its deliberating and decision-making at public meetings. 

Yes, complying with the Constitution will require some adjustments, but it’s by no means an unresolvable impediment to the lawmaking process.

If needed, Committees could work year-round, without amending the State Constitution — conducting final committee hearings and votes at the start of the actual 60-day legislative session.

Bottom line is the House will essentially say (using far more words than I have here), they don’t care what the Constitution says, it must be wrong, and therefore they shouldn’t have to follow it.

Sounds familiar yes?

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

Please join Aria Juliet Castillo and me TOMORROW, Monday, April 21, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm (HST) for our very first Policy + Politics video/podcast, streaming live on the FaceBook Page Policy + Politics

Our goal is to educate, advocate and commentate on important issues of the day — to think globally and to act locally.

We promise to bring you information from the inside that you will not find anywhere else. No question or topic is off the table.

Our world is dangerously out of balance.

With input from highly-qualified special guests, Aria and I hope to provide our community with information needed to better understand what is happening locally, nationally, and globally. 

Our ultimate goal is to identify the action steps we need to take, individually and collectively, to make a positive difference.

After all, there are really only two choices: we either sit back and watch our government and planet deteriorate before our eyes… or we do something to stop the madness and move forward in a united effort to make our world a better place.

Our special guests for our inaugural program on April 21st will be Carrie Ann Shirota from the ACLU and Representative Amy Perruso.

Carrie Ann Shirota is Policy Director at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, where she works to defend people’s civil rights and civil liberties through lobbying, public education, and other forms of political advocacy.

Known for her sharp intellect and strong progressive values, Representative Amy Perruso is Majority Whip in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives.

We’ll begin with a robust discussion about the important issues currently awaiting final legislative approval here in Hawai‘i.

Learn about the process, and about how you can make a difference.

Come with questions and join the discussion on FaceBook Policy + Politics.
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/inaugural-podcast-of-policy-an/1378917709919052/

Kudos to Indivisible and the 50501 movement for organizing the “Hands Off” protest actions of April 5th.

It felt good to gather with friends and neighbors, hold signs, share stories, sign petitions, and stand in solidarity across our islands and the world.

Our message to Trump/Musk/Vance, and the others enabling the madness that’s engulfed our federal government, is fairly straightforward: follow the Constitution, respect the democratic process, and put people and the planet ahead of corporate profits.

But sadly, they view people and the planet as profit centers to exploit, and the Constitution and democratic process as an obstacle to circumvent.

So we must gather together, push back, and KEEP pushing back– until we win.

There’s really no other choice — our children and grandchildren, and their children, are counting on us.

Which is why I’m doing it again on April 19th. I encourage you to join me, my family, and millions more, to say, in numbers so large we cannot be ignored: ENOUGH ALREADY.

The 50501 folks, Indivisible, and other advocacy organizations are again organizing protests in all 50 states against the madness of one man’s rule and in support of the Constitution. Their goal is to get 3.5 percent of the U.S. population — more than 11 million people — to participate. They cite this figure as the threshold for “sustained resistance in order to make a difference.”

Let’s help get to that number. Let’s call our friends and neighbors and encourage them to join us. We’ll be gathering on this island along the highway by Kauai Community College. Other groups will gather across the other Hawaiian Islands and around the continent – at universities, county buildings, state capitols, and at the National Mall in D.C..

And let us call upon our governors, state and federal legislators, council-members, and mayors as well – and encourage them to join us, too.

Leadership in government is exactly what’s needed at this moment. We desperately need our elected leaders to stand with us.

We need to see and hear our leaders pledge their firm commitment to the Constitution, and to protecting the rights of due process for ALL people, citizens and non-citizens alike. We need to hear them embrace and celebrate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Yes, those elected to public office must serve ALL the people, including those who voted for President Trump. But they should NOT support bigotry, misogyny, ignorance, or the trampling of our Constitution.

Our leaders must join us in the streets and march alongside us, arm-in-arm. In one voice that cannot be disregarded, we must tell this administration ENOUGH ALREADY.

It’s not enough for our leaders to privately tell friends and constituents they “oppose Trump,” or to lament the collapse of federal programs on social media.

We need our elected officials – YOU, if you’re reading this and serving at the pleasure of the people – we need YOU out there with us as we exercise our freedom of speech, as we protest the dismantling of the Department of Education, the Veterans Administration, and so many other important agencies.

We need YOU there with us, in every city across the continent, opposing the tactics used by ICE to arrest, detain, and deport our friends and neighbors — merely for expressing their hopes and dreams of a better world.

We need, want, and expect YOU — our elected officials, our mayors, governors, legislators, and council-members — to join us on April 19th
before this administration unleashes the Insurrection Act.

Let’s stand together united behind a message that cannot be ignored.

Follow the Constitution, stop the madness – ENOUGH ALREADY.

Gary Hooser
garylhooser.com

Given the current instability surrounding future federal funding of public schools, parks, university, medical services, and other vital programs, it’s completely inappropriate for Hawaiʻi legislators to accept the generous 35% to 48% pay raises proposed by the Salary Commission.
 
Each rank-and-file state legislator presently receives a $74,160 salary for the honor of serving as a part-time public servant. Legislators work only five months per year on a full-time basis, and as much (or as little) as they choose during the OTHER seven months of the year.
 
Per the US Census’ American Community Survey (ACS), the median salary for FULL-TIME workers in Hawaiʻi is $60,680. Other data sources report similar figures.
 
So, half of Hawaiʻi FULL-TIME workers earn $60,580 or less, while PART-TIME legislators now earn $74,160, AND they’ll be getting raises of 35% to 48% — unless they take action now and vote to reject that raise. 
 
Legislators may also collect a state retirement pension after only 10 years of service, AND Neighbor Island legislators are paid an additional $225 per day during the 4 months of session; they’re not required to show actual expense receipts for this generous per diem allowance.

The decision to reject these pay raises would also prohibit the Governor’s office and Judiciary branch from receiving their pay increases recommended by the same Salary Commission.
 
It goes without saying that legislators, judges, and government executives should NOT be doing this work with expectations of big salaries. This work, after all, is public service. 
 
Our legislature is faced with a decision: Either do nothing –thereby accepting the Salary Commission’s recommended pay raises without a vote — or “put the issue on the table,” which will mean holding public hearings and a public vote.
 
All indications point to the path of least resistance. They’ll likely keep their heads down and not hold any hearings or take any votes.
 
If pressed today on this matter, most legislators will point to the short time remaining in the legislative session. “It’s too late!” they’ll claim. “We don’t have time for the hearings necessary to reject the pay raises.”
 
Here’s the truth: Legislative rules could be waived, hearings could be held, and the session could be extended if needed.
 
Obviously, legislative leadership wants to avoid a public vote on this.
 
Why? Because a public hearing would overflow with furious residents asking angry questions and demanding justification. “You people want a RAISE when the federal government is firing park rangers, cutting school budgets, and denying states emergency funds???”
 
To be clear, there’s never a good time for politicians to give themselves a pay raise, either directly or indirectly.
 
But it’s hard to imagine a worse time than NOW.  
 
President Trump and DOGE have been slashing and burning through almost every federal program on the books. Federal dollars that poured into Hawaiʻi public programs are being drastically reduced. We have an affordable housing crisis; we have families begging for help with school lunches and affordable early childhood programs; there are people sleeping under bridges… 
 
“And you folks want a RAISE???”
 
Of course, the legislature could step up to the plate. They could actually begin working full-time, 12 months per year, and forgo their lucrative outside jobs. They could do any number of things to demonstrate the extra work they’d do to earn those raises — but so far, they haven’t.
 
No, it’s definitely not a good time to be giving yourself a raise. 
 
Failing to hold a hearing, to have a public discussion, and to publicly vote on the issue does NOT give you cover to say, “But I didn’t actually give myself a raise”. 
 
Please don’t insult us. We know how these things work.

Gary Hooser
former State Senator
former Councilmember
retired and trying my best to shine a light, and make some good trouble along the way

“Gary, you broke my heart! That was cruel!”

This was just one of many messages I received after last week’s column (“Breaking news: Hawaii legislators reject pay raise, call for special session!”)

Other messages contained celebratory emojis and comments that made it clear the reader had not read my piece through to the end.

Clearly, some did not understand it was a spoof — a not-so-funny April Fools’ Day joke gone awry.

Some were angry at being fooled, and responded with messages reading “NOT FUNNY!”

While the great majority “got it,” many did not.

So, to make absolutely clear: The Hawaii House and Senate have, unfortunately, NOT rejected the generous 35% to 48% pay raises proposed by the Salary Commission.

They also have NOT agreed to begin meeting year-round, nor have they announced a Special Session to proactively deal with federal funding cuts impacting health care and public education.

Food and energy self-sufficiency have NOT been called out as top priorities. Legislative leadership does NOT seem particularly concerned about the mysterious $35,000 paid to a still-unknown “influential legislator” (per Civil Beat’s ongoing “Pay to Play” investigative reporting).

Unfortunately, there haven’t been any joint statements from the State House and Senate declaring Hawaii’s support for the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; nor have our lawmakers offered any official support ensuring each person’s right to “due process” under the law, as provided by the U.S. Constitution.

What I wrote last week was, essentially, a “field of dreams” — a short list of meaningful actions the legislature could take, if only it collectively had the political will to do so.

The lesson I learned from this “April Fools” joke gone awry, is a profound one.

It seems that most readers – even those who appear, on the surface, to be cynical about politics and politicians – desperately want and need to believe in the government leaders they’ve elected to serve in public office.

Consequently, many were hugely disappointed when I revealed, at the end of my column, that it was all a bad joke. The leaders they wanted and needed so badly to believe in, the leaders they trusted to take us through these turbulent times, had once again fallen short.

I sincerely apologize to those of you whose hopes were raised so very high, and then dashed upon the rocks.

Those 600 words that I wrote on April 1 were intended to educate and inform readers of the tremendous potential as yet unfulfilled by our state legislature.

The good news: THERE’S STILL TIME. The legislative session is scheduled to end on May 2 sine die, without a definite date or period to resume. This gives us three solid weeks to push for the best outcome possible.

So I implore all of you — cynics and hopeful optimists alike — to reach out and contact your district State Representatives and Senators. Share with them, even if just briefly, your expectations and hopes.

If you believe, as I do, that this is an incredibly bad time for them to accept a 35% to 48% pay raise, please let them know.

Likewise, please share with them your thoughts on political corruption and the “pay to play” culture that seems to permeate our government.

Most of all, please impress upon them the need to support our public schools, Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security and the VA, and the many other critically important programs being defunded by the Trump administration.

Remind them it is their job to lead, and that you are counting on them to do so.

Have you ever raised hell when you’ve been asked to accept the unacceptable?

Make the calls. Send the emails.

Locate the contact info for your district State Representative and Senator here on the Capitol Website.

Or, here is the contact for every State Representative and every State Senator.

Please also email:
Senate President Ronald Kouchi senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Mahalo for taking action!

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
@garyhooserblog.bsky.social
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy & Politics – Hawai’i and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

In an extraordinary joint statement, House/Senate Leadership this morning announced the following:

“Given the current instability surrounding future federal funding of our schools, parks, university, medical services, and other vital programs – we believe it’s inappropriate to accept the generous 35% to 48% pay raises proposed by the Salary Commission.

We’re thankful for the generous $74,160 salary already granted to each of us for the honor of serving as part-time legislators. We’re also grateful we can collect a state retirement pension after only 10 years of service, and for the $225 per day extra per diem neighbor-islanders receive during our 4 months of service.

The decision to reject these pay raises, also prohibits the Governor’s office and Judiciary branch from receiving pay increases, and we ask for their support and patience in getting through these difficult times.

It goes without saying that none of us, legislator, judge, or executive – are doing this work for the money, but rather for the opportunity to do good in our community.

Our primary goal is to strengthen peoples faith and confidence in government, and to support and protect our Hawaii home.”

With this in mind, we’re also proposing the following:

Legislative Committees will begin meeting year-round, focusing on priority issues, holding hearings, and refining proposed legislation – in expectation of presenting them to the full legislature for final amendments and votes, as soon as the 2026 session is called to order. https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/03/we-should-insist-on-full-time-work-from-legislators-for-full-time-pay/

A Special Session will be convened in August, for the purpose of proactively dealing with federal funding cuts impacting vital state services, as well as the below items.
Ensure funding to maintain all services and programs within the Hawaii public education system.

Ensure food and energy self-sufficiency efforts are maximized.

Aggressively target the goal of economic diversification and reduce Hawaii’s current dependence on Tourism and Military spending. This includes strengthening environmental protections pertaining to both industries, and a moratorium on new military leases.

Declare Hawaii a place that supports the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Pass a Resolution/Bill ensuring every person, immigrant and citizen alike, is entitled to and receives “due process” under the law as provided by the U.S. Constitution.

Via a new tax on civilian military contractors doing business in Hawaii, we must reverse the recently announced federal de-funding of the University of Hawaii Spark Matsunaga Peace Institute, and strengthen its role as a global leader of peace and reconciliation.

Reduce government corruption and end “pay to play”.

*Pass into law a requirement that any government employee (including legislators and executives) aware of corrupt or fraudulent actions within their workplace, must report that activity immediately (with anonymity protection), or be guilty of a crime themselves of withholding such information.

* Pass a phased in and properly funded “Clean Elections” program.

* Develop and pass legislation targeting “SuperPacs and dark money”. Make it difficult, expensive, and ineffective for dark money SuperPacs to influence elections.

* Prohibit campaign funds from being transferred from one candidates campaign to another. Ban government contractors and related persons from making campaign contributions.

“Roll back” the 2024 tax cuts on high income earners. Increase the conveyance tax on high-end properties, second homes and vacation rentals. Increase the Transient Accommodations Tax (exempting travelers from Canada, Greenland and Denmark), AND implement tourism “user fees”.

Wow! Unbelievable.

The conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh would say,“Well, it could be true.”

But it’s not. It’s a bad April Fools joke, that’s not funny at all.

It’s not a joke.

It’s a dream we should all work toward, fight for, and demand our legislators make a reality.

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
@garyhooserblog.bsky.social
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

As a former: Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader, Councilmember, Vice-Chair of the State Democratic Party, and member of the DNC – I like to believe my thinking, writing and political commentary is informed and on point.

I hope I’m wrong on this one, but I’ve got to say it out loud.

In less than 90 days our Democracy has dissolved before our eyes.

This is not hyperbole.

Our 3 separate but equal branches of government, designed specifically by the drafters of the constitution to prevent the rise of dictatorships – are separate and equal no more.

This is inarguable.

The Trump/Musk/Vance triumvirate continue to ignore and defy the courts. A majority in Congress cower in fear of Elon Musk and the billions he will use against them in their next election.

A few days ago, we saw the President of the United States laughing and high-fiving with the “cool dictator” from El Salvador. The same dictator we are paying $6 million to run our concentration camps.

A few weeks ago, we watched the top leaders in charge of the United States military and national security both foreign and domestic, look directly into the eyes of U.S. Senators and Representatives and spout lie after lie, denying, obfuscating, and gas-lighting, in a desperate attempt to escape accountability for the debacle known now as “Signal Gate”.

Makes me want to throw up.

These are the people who control our nuclear weapons, our battle ships, and fighters jets. They are the ones who decide when to send American troops off to war and when to arrest in the middle of the night those brave souls willing to raise their voices in opposition to that war.

What’s the next step in this still somewhat shaky dictatorship?

What they need and are no doubt planning and hoping for is a “crisis” that distracts us from the craziness.

An international crisis that directly threatened Americans or vital American interests – would ignite their base and justify the continued defiance of the courts, congress and constitution.

It seems clear Israel is now moving to take over Gaza completely and kill anyone standing in the way. The increased U.S. bombing of Yemen, complete with gleefully expressed threats from Trump of “total annihilation” have generated unavoidable retorts from both Yemen and Iran pushing back.

A major international “incident” either foreign or domestic – whether real, fake-news, or false-flag, would give this emerging dictatorship the “emergency power” needed to forgo compliance with court orders, and be the red meat needed to ensure the MAGA base rises up to cheer them on.

Think “Insurrection Act” which is expected to be announced any day and will mean martial law at the border and soon thereafter in our urban centers and universities.

While the train wreck that is America’s future seems unavoidable, it of course doesn’t have to be this way.

Both the Courts and Congress could step up to the plate, give life to the fundamental meaning and purpose of the U.S. constitution, and push back hard against the dictatorship before it further solidifies its power.

Our Governors, Mayors and State Legislatures could likewise stand up against the tyranny.

At some point the military, will have to choose between serving the dictator or serving the constitution. This is inevitable.

And you and I?

We must be there defending and supporting the judges, and our elected government leaders regardless of Party affiliation, who choose a path based on fulfilling their moral, ethical and constitutional responsibilities.

We must march, carry signs, make the calls, send off the letters and email, attend town hall meetings, and continue submitting testimony to our councils and legislature.

We must insist our local government leaders act with integrity, and remind them it is through resistance, not appeasement that dictators are deposed.

And we must stand in solidarity, side by side, with our brothers and sisters being persecuted across the land – providing sanctuary, support, and help whenever we can.

We’re all in this together. We need to hold on and we need to fight back.

There’s a storm coming – and truly a hard rain is gonna fall.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

By Richard Bodien – independent scholar, poet, and painter living in Hāwī, Hawaiʻi

Hawai‘i for Sale—But Not to Hawaiians
For many, Hawai‘i represents paradise—pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and a culture built on aloha. But for corporations and the military-industrial complex, Hawai‘i represents something else entirely: a goldmine to be exploited.

Over the past century, Hawai‘i has transformed from a self-sufficient island kingdom into a corporate playground where profits come first, and local communities come last. The military, multinational corporations, and big tourism have quietly consolidated economic power, pushing out small businesses, pricing locals out of their homes, and turning what was once a thriving Indigenous economy into a service industry built to cater to outsiders.

While Native Hawaiians and longtime residents struggle to survive in their own homeland, corporations and the U.S. military tighten their grip, ensuring that Hawai‘i remains a paradise for the wealthy and a battleground for profit.

So how did we get here? And more importantly—how do we take Hawai‘i back?

Corporate Takeover: From Salvation to Vacations
The exploitation of Hawai‘i’s economy did not happen overnight. It began in the 1800s, when sugar and pineapple barons—many of them descendants of Christian missionaries—seized Native Hawaiian land and converted it into private plantations.

Hawaiian communal land was broken apart through the Great Mahele (1848), allowing corporations to buy massive plots.
Sugar and pineapple dominated the economy, turning local workers into low-wage laborers.
The U.S. illegally overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, with business elites leading the charge.

Fast forward to today, and the methods have changed—but the game remains the same. Now, instead of sugar barons, we have hotel chains, hedge funds, defense contractors, and real estate speculators dictating the rules of Hawai‘i’s economy.

Small Businesses Die
The modern Hawaiian economy is not built for locals—it’s built for corporations. Tourism Giants Dominate the Market. Over 80% of Hawai‘i’s GDP is tied to tourism, but local businesses see little of that wealth. International hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton control beachfront real estate, pushing out local hotels and family-run inns. Corporate developers drive up property values, making it nearly impossible for local businesses to afford rent.

Hawaiians are forced to serve the tourist industry, not participate in it. Small business owners who have operated for generations are slowly disappearing, replaced by luxury resorts, corporate-owned restaurants, and chain retailers that funnel profits out of Hawai‘i and into mainland bank accounts.

Real Estate Takes Over
Investment firms and billionaires buy up homes and convert them into Airbnbs, reducing housing availability for locals. Gentrification, fueled by real estate speculation, forces Native Hawaiian families to leave. Developers lobby against rent control and affordable housing policies, ensuring that real estate remains profitable for investors, not for residents.

With average home prices now averaging over $1,000,000, working-class Hawaiians are being systematically priced out of their own homeland. Meanwhile, corporations and wealthy elites buy, sell, and profit from the land as if it were a commodity, not a cultural inheritance.

The Military’s Economic Dominance
While corporations control much of Hawai‘i’s economy, the U.S. military remains the single largest landholder and economic force in the islands. With nearly 25% of O‘ahu alone under military control, the Pentagon exerts quiet but overwhelming influence over local policies, land use, and labor markets.

The military is Hawai‘i’s second-largest employer, providing over 60,000 jobs—but at the cost of economic dependency. Military contractors, not local businesses, receive the bulk of defense-related spending. Land that could be used for affordable housing or sustainable development remains locked under military control.

And then there’s environmental destruction. The U.S. military’s presence in Hawai‘i has come at a devastating cost. The Red Hill fuel leak contaminated O‘ahu’s water supply, poisoning local families.

Live-fire training exercises have scarred landscapes like Pōhakuloa and Kaho‘olawe, rendering them uninhabitable. Toxic waste from military installations threatens ecosystems, yet accountability remains elusive.

Instead of investing in local industry, education, or sustainability, Hawai‘i has been positioned as America’s “strategic outpost” in the Pacific, with little regard for the well-being of its people.

The Human Cost
What does all this mean for the people who actually live in Hawai’i? Hawai‘i is now one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., yet wages remain low. Hawaiians are expected to serve the wealthy, not build wealth themselves. The very people who built and nurtured these lands are being pushed out in favor of tourism, military interests, and wealthy investors.

This isn’t just economic injustice—it’s colonialism.

Taking Back Hawai’i—Economic Sovereignty
Hawai‘i does not have to remain a corporate and military playground. Change is possible—but it requires shifting power back to the people.

Reclaiming Land and Housing
Implement strict regulations on foreign and corporate real estate ownership.

Expand Native Hawaiian land trusts to restore communal stewardship of land.

Crack down on Airbnb and luxury developments that cater to the wealthy at the expense of locals.

Breaking Tourism Dependency
Invest in sustainable, locally-driven industries such as regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and technology.

Shift tourism profits back into local communities, rather than corporate pockets.

Impose higher taxes on multinational hotel chains and reinvest in public infrastructure.

Holding the Military Accountable
Demand land return from the U.S. military, especially for housing and conservation.

Require military environmental cleanup before further land use.

Diversify Hawai‘i’s economy so it is not dependent on defense spending.

Strengthening Small Businesses and Local Ownership
Provide subsidies and tax incentives for local businesses, not multinational chains.

Protect Hawaiian cultural and traditional industries from corporate exploitation.

Establish worker-owned cooperatives to create community wealth instead of corporate wealth.

Who Controls Hawai‘i’s Future?

For too long, corporations and the military have dictated Hawai‘i’s economy, deciding who gets to live here, who gets to own land, and who gets to profit. But their vision is clear: Hawai‘i as a high-end tourist resort, a military staging ground, and a billionaire’s playground—while everyday residents struggle to make ends meet.

But Hawai‘i should belong to its people, not to hotel chains, Wall Street investors, or the Pentagon. The question is, how long will we allow them to take from us before we take back control?

By Richard Bodien – independent scholar, poet, and painter living in Hāwī, Hawaiʻi. You can find his political writings at http://www.bodien.com/essays

Here’s a link to an accompanying essay. https://bodien.com/essays/f/hawai%CA%BBi%E2%80%99s-future-depends-on-small-business

And another: https://bodien.com/essays/f/why-i-love-bourgeois-capitalism-and-hate-corporate-capitalism