Without a doubt, I’m the luckiest, most fortunate guy on the entire planet. My health is good. I walk almost daily along the coastline soaking in the incredible beauty of our island. I’m surrounded by people I love and who love me. Each and every one of my days is filled with activities of my choosing, that reflect my values, needs and wants.
But then I look around and see the many who are not so fortunate. I see that family living under the bridge, the man without teeth, who walks with a limp, whose days are consumed with finding the essential needs of basic survival.
I see the obscenely rich getting even richer and the poor and marginalized becoming poorer and more marginalized. I see coastlines eroding, mountain streams disappearing, and plastic trash and petrochemicals — everywhere.
Yes, I’m thankful for my own good fortune, and committed more than ever to do what I can to help make our world a better place.
Today, I want to give a shout out to the change-makers, to those people in our community who feel a similar sense of urgency, and who share a similar commitment to help and support people and the planet.
To be clear, I’m talking about those of you actually taking action and doing what needs to be done to make positive change happen — not just talking about it.
Yes, change-making begins as a conversation, but to make a difference the talk must transition quickly into action, and the action must be sustained.
In the world of policy and politics this often starts with simply showing up to vote, placing a sign in your yard, and a bumper sticker on your car.
For aspiring change-makers, these first steps evolve into advocating publicly for and against various public policy initiatives, attending community meetings and public hearings, testifying on issues, sending emails and making calls to local lawmakers.
Yes, making a financial contribution to candidates and nonprofit organizations is important — but it does not replace the need to show up, send in the testimony, or make those calls.
True change-makers committed to increasing their impact and effectiveness will often align with non-profit organizations — such as the Sierra Club, Our Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Surfrider Foundation, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network (HCAN), Common Cause, HULIPAC, the ACLU, and the Hawaii Alliance of Progressive Action (HAPA).
The next step in the natural evolution of a truly committed change-maker is to move into a staff, volunteer, board or other leadership position within the many important advocacy organizations. Working within an established, funded, and focused organizational structure, allows the change-maker additional opportunity to help make positive change happen.
Some change-makers will seek and gain election to public office. Others will fill key roles supporting election campaigns for candidates.
Many of history’s greatest change-makers, through actions of disruption and civil-disobedience, work totally outside the structure of any formal organization.
Backing us up, sometimes bailing us out, and always there advocating in the courts on behalf of people and the planet — are our public interest change-maker attorneys.
To change-makers everywhere, I say thank you. Whether you’re brand new and have yet to attend your first public hearing, or a seasoned veteran of many a previous battle: Mahalo plenty for being there. Mahalo for showing up, for taking action, for pushing back against the injustice, and for helping make our world a better place.
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Gary Hooser served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kauai County Council. He presently writes on Hawaii Policy and Politics at www.garyhooser.blog.
