As of this writing, the Hawai‘i State Legislative session is in the waning days of completion. When the gavel falls signaling "Sine die" or the adjournment of the session, my question is, "Does it matter to you?"
Each year the current office holding 51 state representatives and 25 state senators convene to do the people's business. At least that's the ideal. Each elected official espouses the narrative of wanting to help the people, be the best steward of state, be the voice of the citizen, and here's the umbrella under which all politicians reside, do what's best for the keiki.
And I want to make this clear from the get go. There are those who are serving in the Big Square Building who live to serve the people they represent and more. Their mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of many. They are accessible, day or night, and will under promise and over deliver when tasked with advocating for a citizen's needs. Interestingly, I don't need to name names because those who are served know who they are and those they serve with know who they are.
Now you know there's a butt bigger than mine on its way ...
Yep, BUT.
Our political composition in Hawai‘i and is rife with individuals who do not subscribe to these ideals of true public service. Again, I don't need to name names because those who are NOT served know who they are, and those with whom they serve definitely know who they are. Please fill in these blanks if you are so inclined.
I asked if the end of this session matters to you.
Let me share why it should.
My mantra on the morning show has been from the first day, "Politics touches your life every day whether you like it or not."
The state legislature is the one touching you. The governor touches you too just as each county mayor and county council. That's a bunch of touching.
One would think with that much effect and influence in your present and future life that you'd care. Well, you do because you're still reading this column, but there are more of you who don't.
We invoke the emasculatingly low voter turnout like it's a reverse badge of honor. The numbers of citizens casting a vote is purely embarrassing.
The 2024 Hawai‘i primary election has been widely panned as unexciting due to a lack of marquee races and fewer candidates to choose from.
Voters apparently agreed, if the turnout numbers are any indication.
Just 269,912 of the 839,618 people registered statewide filled out a ballot. That works out to 32.1%.
It’s a significant drop from the 39.8% turnout for the 2022 primary and an even more dramatic decline from the 51.2% in 2020. The latter election was the first for the state to use all mail-in balloting system, though voters can still cast ballots in person at select locations on each island.
According to final results released by the Hawai‘i Office of Elections, the 2024 primary numbers represent the lowest turnout in the history of Hawai‘i as a state.
Thirty years ago, the 1994 primary turnout was 65.7% — double the current figure.
I am not being purposefully selective. This was, in fact, our last primary vote, and this was the turnout. Abysmal. And the general election numbers weren't that great either.
If you weren't one of the 269,912 then who did vote in 2022?
I submit to you the most active, aware, motivated and encouraged voting bloc in Hawaii is ... organized labor.
Yes, unions.
In 2025, union members accounted for an estimated 24.8 percent of wage and salary workers in Hawai‘i, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See chart 1 and table 1.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the estimated number of workers belonging to unions was 145,000.
Hold on. This is not union bashing. This is a fact. Unions are the greatest political force in Hawai‘i. Always has been, always will be. If this displeases you then embrace the notion that politics is nothing but a numbers game. It's the number of votes and dollars that's at the heart politics. Throw in charismatic candidates and convincing messages and, voila, you're in.
Once a politician succeeds in attaining his/her chosen office, they also attain power.
As of July 1, 2025, Hawaii's population is approximately 1,432,820, reflecting a slight decline of about 0.15% from 2024 due to high costs of living and residents moving to the Mainland. The state is the 11th least populous in the U.S. and has experienced population declines in five of the past six years.
Combining state and county government executive and legislative elected officials, the number of people reigning over you is 167.
That's the governor, lieutenant governor, state senate and house, mayors and four county councils.
That's 167 individuals who exert power by the creating, passing and approving of laws that affect you every day whether you like it or not.
In 2024, there are around 800,000 registered voters. I submit that labor comprised of 145,000 members had cast the majority of the 269,000 votes tabulated. That leaves nearly 500,000 whose voices were not heard, not considered, people who are now subjected to the decision of others who may not have their best interests at heart. And that's on you as a non-voter.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Regardless, if you are on the left or on the right, GOP or Democrat, we must have full participation in this representative democratic process in order to achieve quality representation and deliver true accountability to those holding office. Voting is not just your right, but it's your duty. We must have our citizenry cast conscientious and informed votes, so we collectively install a government "for the people and by the people".
This session is just moments away from ending. If you discover there were laws passed with which you disagree, then now is the time to become activated. It's an election year. You have another opportunity to cast your best vote for your best candidate. If it's a win, great. If it's not, then you'll be able to look in the mirror knowing you were a vital part of this community and perhaps the next legislation session will matter even more.
Rick Hamada can be reached at rickhamada@aol.com.
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