HONOLULU — Election Day is Tuesday. It’s too late to mail in your ballot, so drop it off at a voter service center or place it in a ballot drop-off box.
Coverage of the daily news and commentaries by late-night hosts portray a divided nation with a broad range of issues at stake that, on the one hand, have overturned decades-old rulings, to issues that could take the U.S. onto the path of another world war.
Here at home, people disagree on issues, but every individual has something they feel passionate about to create a “better Hawaii” down the road. This is also where all people can agree — there is a need for change. The importance of researching and reading up on each candidate’s experience, ideas and solid steps toward finding solutions to current problems cannot be overstated. People are fed up and don’t want the same ‘ole, same ‘ole; this is where every vote makes a difference.
Spectrum News posed a few questions to eight Hawaii residents about the upcoming election. Here’s what they had to say.
With talk of concern about voter fraud and doubt in the voting process reaching Hawaii, was anyone concerned? All respondents agreed they felt no concern with one respondent saying he trusted in the checks and balances in the local election system. Lono Beamer of Mililani, 59, said, “I’m very confident in our voting process here in Hawaii. I think the voter fraud issue is simply divisive fiction.”
Unlike previous years, candidates and political parties reached out using more texts and mailings. Is it a turnoff or appreciated in providing information on candidates’ views, experience and ideas for change? Three residents said the extra mailings and texts were annoying, with one saying it’s expected.
“I have received a bunch of mailers in the mail,” said Ken Hashimoto of Mililani, 33. “I find them interesting and a little annoying, but they educate me on who is running. Sending a couple is fine. When it’s the third or fourth mailer, feels like it’s wasteful since it goes straight into the trash.”
Fern Gavelek, 68, lives on Hawaii Island. She responded, “I have received a barrage of emails, texts and Facebook ads from candidates. It’s okay because if needed, I can unsubscribe to the emails, delete the texts and scroll through the Facebook posts if need be. There were more ads on TV before the primary and doesn’t bother me.”
“Yes! And it is a turnoff,” commented Richard Melendez, 51, of Makiki. “That kind of outreach does nothing to sway my opinions of a candidate (unless it’s a dirty ad, then I’ll question the integrity of the candidate behind it). What’s unusual this year is that I’ve received texts from both parties, whereas I’d usually receive only from the one I’m registered under, and that’s been extra annoying.”
The pressing issues facing those in office, incoming candidates and many frustrated citizens are too plentiful to mention here, but they include corruption within government agencies, ongoing problems with the rail project, disagreements about the future of Aloha Stadium, lack of government transparency, not to mention homelessness, affordable housing, a troubled though slowly recovering economy, rising prices in the stores and at the gas pumps, sustainability, climate change, protecting water resources, Red Hill, COVID-19 and its sub-variants, and is anyone concerned about the possibility of nuclear missiles reaching Hawaii since Pearl Harbor is considered a military command center? Hawaii is, after all, between China, North Korea and the West Coast.
Well, it seems the missile issue isn’t a concern, but our eight respondents shared the top three that were.
Sharon Rokuta of Makiki, 72, said, “Economy, affordable housing and wages are too little to live in Hawaii.”
“Homelessness,” said Hashimoto. “The population is getting worse in Honolulu, affecting the local neighborhoods. … We need a way to keep our streets safe. Inflation — with the cost of living rising, we are seeing a lot of domestic migration. If more local families move to the Mainland, we will see a deficit in the workforce and a significant impact on the local economy. Lastly, Red Hill — we have to address the fuel leaks. I believe this could destroy our water table, and once the damage is done, there will be little that can be done to correct it. Worse-case scenario making the entire island’s water system useless and our home inhabitable.”
Shelley Ng of Nuuanu, 61, said, “Climate change — erosion of our shoreline and intense heat, affecting crops, ecosystems, flooding from intense downpours, and the likelihood of brush fires. Red Hill fuel leak and the likely contamination of our water aquifers. Violent crime and other social ills affecting our safety and well-being, and the high cost of living. The fact that over two-thirds of residents are struggling to make ends meet.”
Some solutions to the issues Ng found important: “Tax owners who purchase housing here, but don’t live here all year; forbid foreign purchases of land and development rights; increase subsidies for childcare; look at a county-based educational system that has control over their own revenues; fund more local ag production; get at the root causes of poverty and institute cross-sector actions that address employer tax credit incentives and worker support.”
“Sustainability, Red Hill and homelessness,” said Pearl Nakagawa of Mililani, 58. “I picked these three because they are issues we can actually address locally.” Her proposed solutions for sustainability are to encourage the development of agriculture, conservation and industry to alleviate Hawaii’s independence on imports. Regarding Red Hill, hold the U.S. Department of Defense accountable. Ensure the cleanup process is transparent. For homelessness, she said, “Stricter vagrancy laws that bring homeless people to the attention of social services. Make vagrancy a ‘crime’ punishable by social services, not prison.”
“Affordable housing,” responded Melendez. “I’ve lived in Hawaii for most of my life and the notion of purchasing a house has never been attainable. In the last decade, I’ve seen the cost of apartments in my neighborhood skyrocket to unreasonable levels — much higher rents with much fewer amenities, in less desirable locales. I shudder to think of what my girlfriend and I will encounter out there if and when the time comes to move. Even with two incomes, the market isn’t favorable to us, and we’ll likely face a major downgrade. I’m also very concerned about homelessness and the cost of living.”
Regarding possible solutions, Melendez said, “I don’t know where in the process it needs to happen, or how, but I do know that we somehow need to redirect our priorities and stop building luxury housing. Just this morning, I was looking out from my building toward Kakaako and Ala Moana, and realized that most of the buildings in my line of sight didn’t exist 20 to 30 years ago. Yet, despite thousands and thousands of new units going up in that time, we’re still in a housing crunch, because most of those units are out of reach to most locals. That’s insane.”
“Homelessness, crime and drug use are all related,” said Jerry Koch of Wahiawa. “We need to stop enabling bad behavior with no consequences. A criminal is a criminal, doesn’t matter what you look like.” His response to possible solutions: “None that can be made public.”
Voicing her thoughts from Hawaii Island, Gavelek said, “I’m concerned with Hawaii’s need to create 24/7 renewable energy, not just solar and wind power that depends on the weather; ocean health and the need to stop aquarium fish harvesting; and the need for more affordable housing and enforcement of restrictions on vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. I’m also concerned about the possible rise in crime due to the change in gun laws, and the critical need for more doctors and nurses here on the Big Isle.
“I know Gov. Ige released funds to train more medical staff for the neighbor islands, but more needs to be done in that regard,” stated Gavelek regarding potential solutions. “I also think the PUC needs to step up and support different types of firm, renewable energy that’s available now and change its attitude of ‘no hurry, but wait and see what new technology develops.’ Energy prices are through the roof and staying on fossil fuel only hurts our planet while keeping foreign oil companies happy.”
Beamer shared his concerns from a broader perspective: “I’m concerned about the war in Ukraine. The loss of life is beyond horrific. The spreading of lies and disinformation is creating a divide in our already fragile world community.”
Regarding the U.S. as a whole, he responded, “The rising polarization between Americans is a direct result of the lack of moral compass of many of those in power; the lack of courage to think beyond party lines and [the] growing inability of the American people to formulate an independent thought terrifies me in the Darwinian sense. America is supposed to be far better than this.”
When it comes to voting, there are many who stick to their guns, saying, “My vote isn’t going to make a difference.” Someone once mentioned the oft-said reply reflected a person’s feeling of lack of self-worth. Each of the respondents, however, agreed that voting is important as a way for all citizens to voice their opinions.
They also agreed it was a privilege to vote. Beyond the “no vote, no complain,” sentiment, they had a few words of encouragement.
“Every vote makes a difference, just like every dollar you earn makes a difference,” said Gavelek. “Small pieces add up to make a bigger whole. Strength is in numbers.”
Ng said, “It’s the easiest thing to do and exerts the citizen’s voice in electing our governmental leaders. Even if you think not (that your vote doesn’t matter), vote anyway. Indifference is what makes no difference.”
Nakagawa stresses the importance of voting by saying, “To be sure, all segments of our community are using their voices, so we can hear what matters to the entire community, not just the few who vote. What if everyone who felt their vote didn’t count actually supports an issue or candidate that lags behind a front runner? What if their collective votes could change the status quo?”
In response to “my vote doesn’t matter,” Melendez said, “I get it. I vehemently disagree with that approach, but in the end, I have to respect their decision. Not voting is a vote, in a sense, and that’s their decision to make.”
He also offers these words to ponder, “By voting, we have the opportunity to help create the circumstances we want to see and live in. But lately, the system feels so fragile, the state of democracy so precarious. More so than ever, if we truly want to hold on to any semblance of what we believe this country stands for, or what we want it to stand for, then we need to vote, and vote well. The system isn’t perfect, and I may not be totally enamored with the slate of candidates offered up this year, but at the very least, I know which candidates I don’t want in office, so I’ll have to cast my vote accordingly.”
No doubt this is a critical time in Hawaii and throughout the world with so many issues at hand, but regardless, there is hope that new leaders will step up to make positive changes for Hawaii. A few thoughts shared by the respondents:
“Hope?” asks Rokuta. “Politicians always promise many things. It would be nice if they truly follow through and have regular input sessions from the public. Show that they are interested in what we have to say.”
“I hope they will be able to create a positive change in Hawaii,” said Hashimoto. “Hawaii is often very slow at implementing change and often corrupted by relationship-driven business. We need to change that and do what’s right for Hawaii and its residents.”
Ng said, “Every eligible voter will have the satisfaction that they exercised their right to vote and select whom they felt would be represent them. There will be another four to eight years of the possibility of moving Hawaii in the direction that enables citizens to make a decent living based on a responsive and effective education that prepares youths for the future and live in environments that are fortified from disasters and sustain natural ecosystems.”
Gavelek’s thoughts focus on America as a whole. “I am fearful that our country’s democracy is at risk with the recent antics of some politicians and activist groups. I hope our election results, and the mid-term election in general, solidify that we, as a nation and state, stand for democracy.”
“I would like to see bold leadership that doesn’t pander to unions and corporations in shaping Hawaii into a 21st century player that matters to the rest of the world,” stated Nakagawa.
Melendez’ comment is his message to Josh Green. “I would love to see more forward-thinking, less being bogged down in old routines, old alliances, old ways of thinking,” he said. “I mean, the stadium project feels like another rail project waiting to happen; announcements of new residential developments always lack any meaningful affordable housing component; tourism continues to grow at unsustainable rates despite the opportunity for a pivot that COVID was supposed to give us. There needs to be a new way of moving forward, one that caters less to monied interests and focuses more on the essential needs of our residents.”
Sylvia Luke from Sharon Rokuta: ”Can you truly be the lieutenant governor that can make a difference and not be a ‘yes’ person to Josh Green? Can you truly accept our voices and be our spokesperson to our governor?”
“Do your job!” said Koch to everyone in particular.
Traci Toguchi from Shelley Ng: “Please continue with your diligence to serve your council district and constituents, and keep listening to us.”
Josh Green from Fern Gavelek: “I would tell Gov. Josh Green to take a strong stand to support astronomy atop Maunakea, where the values and activities of scientists and Hawaiians can co-exist in harmony.”
Josh Green from Pearl Nakagawa: “As governor of Hawaii, please set aside personal gain and think about what decisions will create long-term employment (not construction), so people can choose to stay in Hawaii because they have bright economic futures.”
She adds, “Let’s see political parties who are less interested in following their party’s national agenda and more interested in building a stronger State of Hawaii.”
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.