Hooser: How does Speaker Nadine Nakamura sound?

According to the coconut wireless, Representative Nadine Nakamura, who represents District 15 on Kauai (Haena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, portions of Wailua and Kawaihau), will likely become the next Speaker of the State House of Representatives.

As the first woman to ever hold that position, she would make history.

The Speaker of the House by definition has support of a majority of its members, and so without question runs the show in the state House of Representatives.

If the multiple and persistent rumors are true, Representative Nakamura will soon have significant influence on how public policy is made and how the money is spent for the entire State of Hawaii.

Consequently, the voices of the voters living in House District 15 will be stronger, and their votes at election time more significant.

Every elected member is responsible to the voters in their District and the Speaker of the House is no different.

Just ask former House Speaker Scott Saiki, who recently fell 256 votes short, losing his election to Kim Coco Iwamoto. Saiki represents House District 25, Kakaako, Alamoana and Downtown Honolulu.

Over the years, Saiki gained a reputation of being an inside player, a go-along to get-along, “good ole boy” who accepted and thus was part of the toxic “pay to play” culture that exists in that big square building on Beretania Street.

Rather than allowing legislation to pass or fail strictly on its merits, Saiki would sometimes use his influence as Speaker to “kill bills” in order to punish political adversaries. House members not in his “faction” and others who dared challenge or oppose his actions, operated always under the shadow of similar retribution.

Voters in House District 25 inevitably became disenchanted with Saiki. He fell short in fulfilling his promises to the district ,and it became increasingly clear that instead of modeling the highest standards of political conduct he tolerated, participated in, and perpetuated the lowest.

Consequently, they voted him out and supported Kim Coco Iwamoto who proved through hard work and perseverance her commitment to the District AND she championed a bold new “reform agenda” — promising to pull back the curtain and push back hard against the existing legislative rules that provide inordinate power to the Speaker and committee chairs.

While it’s too early to actually “flip the switch” and reorganize the House, Representative Nadine Nakamura appears to have lined up more than the minimum 26 votes needed to organize the House.

My initial thought is that she will make an excellent Speaker. We served together on the Kauai County Council and I know her to be competent, honest, open-minded and fair.

My hope is that Representative Nakamura will build a House majority coalition that fosters collaboration, honors all voices, and embraces the slate of reforms being proposed by Kim Coco Iwamoto and many other legislators and good government advocacy groups.

I encourage the voters of District 15 especially (Haena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kealia, Kapa‘a, portions of Wailua and Kawaihau) to call and/or email Representative Nakamura today at 808-586-8435 or repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Let her know you’re a voter in her District, wish her well on her quest to be Speaker, and encourage her to lead the House Majority in a manner that is open, inclusive and collaborative.

If you agree, please also let her know that decisions pertaining to public policy must be made only after a public discussion, and always via an open and public vote.

Tell her please that the unilateral killing of bills without a vote and without public discussion is wrong and unacceptable, and that you’re counting on her and the new House majority to end this practice starting on day 1 of the new legislative session.