There’s lots of ways to serve, and lots of ways to help make the world a better place – but you gotta show up, you gotta “do politics” and you gotta take ownership of your own government.
Only 269,912 people in Hawaii showed up to vote in the 2024 primary election (32 percent of registered voters).
Those choosing not to show up, clearly think it doesn’t matter, their vote doesn’t make a difference, and “doing politics” is ugly, dirty, complicated and contentious.
I’m here today to say, “Yes, perhaps, maybe … but…”
Avoiding the political conversation, staying home, hanging out with similarly disengaged friends at the beach, bar or coffee shop – is not going to change the world and in fact contributes to its demise.
Eldridge Cleaver said “You either have to be part of the solution, or you’re going to be part of the problem.”
You don’t have to give up family, hobbies or health. But you do have to show up – at least virtually “online” and sometimes in person at a community meeting or public hearing.
If you’re serious about making our world a better place, learning more, doing more, and increasing your effectiveness in the political process – here are some key steps to getting there.
Step No. 1 – Identify a nonprofit organization involved in issues relating to your “subject matter interest” (economic, environment, cultural, education, etc). Get on their email list and receive “action alerts.” Subscribe also to my “info/action email” https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com/
Step No. 2 – Know who represents you at the federal, state and county levels. Know their names. Have their contact information in your phone and on your refrigerator.
It’s critically important that you communicate directly with the elected official that represents you, in your home district.
When the elected policy-maker knows the person behind the email or phone call to their office actually lives in the district they represent, they pay attention.
As a constituent living in the district, you must share your concerns and hopes regularly with your elected representatives via email and occasionally by telephone. Short and on-point messages are best. Always request “the courtesy of response” and always let them know you’re a constituent who lives in their district.
A primary (pun intended) goal of every elected official is to be re-elected. Consequently they’ll normally seek to please constituents who live and vote in their district.
At the state legislative and County Council level, the districts are small enough to actually meet your elected officials in person.
Do it. Meet with them. Call and request a meeting to share your thoughts and concerns, and to hear theirs.
Constituents living and voting in the district control the political future of every elected official in that district, and they’re keenly aware of this fact.
Step No. 3 – Support others who’re doing the heavy lifting.
Even if you don’t testify at the microphone, it’s important to be “in the room” and at the public meeting in person. The number of people in the room, by itself, sends a message.
“Like and share” social media posts and “action alerts” that reflect your values. This will impact algorithms helping those posts to show up more frequently.
Show up at protest gatherings happening regularly and everywhere – march, hold signs, speak out.
Other key elements of effective advocacy:
• Think globally; act locally. Focus first on local issues and actions where your voice and participation will have the most impact.
• Help and support elected officials who do the right thing.
• Oppose elected officials who act contrary to your values.
Show up. Speak out. Send that email. Make those calls. Attend the public hearing and write that letter to the editor.
Change happens when regular people pay attention, get involved, and take ownership of their own government.
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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.
