It goes without saying that if we don’t set goals, we are sure not to achieve them.
With that in mind, here are 12 public-policy goals I believe are worthy of our time and energy:
• Term limits for state legislators;
• Passage of true-living-wage legislation;
• A reevaluation of the military’s impact in Hawai‘i, including the planned expansion at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on the Westside;
• Repeal HB499/Act 236, relating to lease extensions on public land;
• Criminal justice/cash bail reform;
• Increased public funding of state and county elections;
• Legalizing the responsible adult use of cannabis;
• Affordable housing for ALL local residents;
• Food and energy self-sufficiency;
• Protection of our streams, coastlines and mountains;
• Ensure Hawai‘i teachers are the highest-paid, most-qualified and best in the world;
• A tax structure that protects local residents and requires offshore investors and the wealthy to pay their fair share.
None of these goals are radical or ground-breaking. There are models already in place elsewhere. We just need the political will and leadership to make it happen. This should be a slam dunk for a Legislature dominated by Democrats such as exists here in Hawai‘i.
Term limits would need to be approved by voters but must be put on the ballot by the Legislature. Fifteen states including California presently have legislative term limits.
Eighteen states have legalized the responsible adult use of cannabis.
Twenty-three states have a higher minimum wage.
There has never been a thorough evaluation of the military’s collective impact in Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i residents deserve to know what those impacts are, and they deserve a say in whether or not additional future expansion is needed or wanted.
Affordable housing, food and energy self-sufficiency and protection of our natural environment require a long-term commitment, solid planning and eternal vigilance.
Attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers is the single-most-important thing we can do to ensure the positive development of our children.
Tax fairness can be achieved literally with the stroke of a pen. In past legislative sessions numerous proposals were passed, but then vetoed by the governor. Without exaggeration, 100s of millions of dollars are being left on the table each year.
Hawai‘i is flush with cash. Just days ago Gov. David Ige announced his intention to put a billion dollars into the state’s “rainy day fund.”
Yes, that’s correct. We have a billion dollars extra on hand now and hundreds of millions more each year we are missing out on.
Our state government has money, but just lacks the political leadership to spend it where it needs to be spent — paying teachers more and building more affordable housing would be a good place to start.
Citizen involvement is a prerequisite of political will. Without active citizen participation, the politicians are left only with the voice of big money and big business.
Please. Trust me on this one. Make two calls and send two emails. One to your state representative and another to your state senator.
• Senate President Ronald Kouchi, 808-586-6030, senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov;
• Rep. Nadine Nakamura, District 14 (Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kapa‘a, Wailua), 808-586-8435, repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov;
• Rep. James Tokioka, District 15 (Wailua Homesteads, Hanama‘ulu, Lihu‘e, Puhi, Koloa, ‘Oma‘o), 808-586-6270, reptokioka@capitol.hawaii.gov;
• Rep. Dee Morikawa, District 16 (Koloa, Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Waimea, Kekaha, Ni‘ihau) 808-586-6280, repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov.
Share with them your thoughts, your goals and your expectations.
The legislative session opens on Jan. 19 and adjourns May 5.
Every seat in the state Legislature, in both the House and in the Senate, and on the County Council, is up for election this year, and most state legislative races will decided during the primary on Aug. 13.
Please take ownership of your government. It’s important.
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Gary Hooser is the former vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council, and was the former director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. He serves in a volunteer capacity as board president of the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action and is executive director of the Pono Hawai‘i Initiative.
