Time to party, it’s election season!
As vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, my responsibilities include being a voting member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Moving forward on Mauna Kea
This coming Sunday July 28th more than a thousand residents are predicted to gather at Vidinha Stadium at 11:30 a.m., and march down Rice Street “in support of our kia’i standing on the front line for the protection of Mauna Kea”. The march will conclude on the grounds fronting the Historic County Building where there will be music and educational events.
Do something about Westside water pollution
Every single day of the week, the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) dumps millions of gallons of water polluted with pesticides and heavy metals into the ocean in areas where Kauai’s Westide residents fish, surf and recreate with their families.
Economic Justice: In defense of the invisible
When bills are introduced to protect dolphins, whales, bees or birds — it is a given that the chamber will be full of testifiers. Likewise, if there is a measure before any legislative body that purports to regulate fishing, or hunting, or dogs or cats — you can be sure it will be standing room only.
A Twofer – DOE bans herbicides & GMO acreage plummets
For those of us concerned about the increasing presence of pesticides in our food, water, land and air - there have been two recent and newsworthy developments here in Hawaii.
Marriage Equality – Pride Parades and Legacy Votes
The Stonewall riots (also referred to as the Stonewall uprising or the Stonewall rebellion) were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ community against a police raid that began in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.
Elements of a campaign: Votes – Money -Team
The 2020 primary election is on Aug. 8, 2020. Next week Thursday the first presidential debates will be held. In June of 2020 the first “absentee ballots” will be mailed out.
Know your policy maker — eyeball to eyeball
We agreed last week that the most important thing to every politician is to get elected and stay elected. We also agreed that this is not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact is human nature.
Tell me again, why I should care about politics?
The short answer is driven by pure unadulterated self interest, which not-so-coincidentally is also what drives most political decisions: “If you don’t do politics, politics will do you.”
Five paths for changemakers
For those committed to making the world a better place and believe that government structures and civic action play a key role — here are 5 ways to make change happen.
On the occasion of your 2019 graduation
One of my first thoughts is to apologize to graduates everywhere, but “sorry” really doesn’t cut it.
The days of plausible deniability are over
If you are an administrator, public or private, you are liable for the workplace practices that occur under your supervision or authority. Likewise, if you are an employer, public or private, you are responsible for the actions and inactions of your administrators/managers.
Sine Die — My take on the 2019 session
The bill to increase minimum wage died, so there will be no increase.
Lessons from the ledge: End of session
The 2019 legislative session ends, sine die on May 3, and any bills that have not been passed by both the House and the Senate by this date will be dead (for real this time but not really).
Conference Committee: Where bills are laid to rest quietly
As we enter the last two weeks of the legislative session, it is a good time to explain the basics of the Conference Committee process. Please, stifle the yawn and force yourself if possible to read on. I promise that both, those of you who are intrigued and those who may be baffled by the lawmaking process, will find this fascinating.
Water war saga continues at Legislature
Yesterday marked another chapter in the ongoing water wars, aka HB1326 HD2.
Battle for control of Hawaii’s water not over
Tuesday, the Hawaii State Senate held its first and only public hearing for HB1326 HD2.
Coco Palms opportunity demands vision, leadership
Like many in our community, I have fond memories of the beautiful and iconic Coco Palms Resort.
Political winds stirred by political waters
It is not an exaggeration to say that political careers will rise and fall on the actions or inactions taken by legislators with regards to the success or failure of HB1326 HD2 (referred to by opponents as the water theft bill).
Red flags, code and words that matter
There were several times during my service in the Hawaii State Senate, where I came very close to supporting proposed legislative measures (bills), that were in direct opposition to my core values.