politics

No Raises for Legislators, Directors, Judges

In the interest of full-disclosure, I am the Policy Advocate for the ACLU of Hawaii. However, the opinion expressed here is solely mine and does not in any way reflect that of the ACLU of Hawaii or anyone else who works there.

The recent news that the State Salary Commission has recommended massive pay raises for legislators, department heads, and legislators forces me to recall the last time this question arose, right as the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc on the state economy.

While beyond the authority of the Commission, the timing of their newest recommendations comes as the State is likely staring down significant (if not debilitating) budget gaps as a result of Trump, Musk, and their kleptocratic cronies.

The raises that were ultimately adopted, though delayed, were minor compared to the massive raises being recommended.

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Cannabis Hawaii

I know it’s been quite some time since I posted here, but while I wait for the House to gavel into session on this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to use the time to share my testimony.

Thursday, February 13, 2025
Senate Committees on Health & Human Services and Judiciary

Senate Bill 1613 Relating to Cannabis
Testifying In Strong Support

Aloha Chairs San Buenaventura and Rhoads, Vice Chairs Aquino and Gabbard Members of the Committees:

I stand in strong support of SB1613. And I appreciate the support this issue has received in prior sessions by the Chairs of these committees and by the Senate as a whole. Mahalo!

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Testifying in Support of a Ceasefire in Gaza

Friday, March 8, 2024

SCR13 / SR6: Urging Members of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation to Support the Ceasefire in Gaza Resolution Introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush

Testifying in Support of a Ceasefire in Gaza

Aloha Chair Wakai, Vice Chair Elefante, and Members of the Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee:

I am Jewish. And I acknowledge the goal of Hamas is the eradication of Jews and the Jewish State. But my Judaism will not and cannot excuse Israel’s vengeful over-reaction and retaliation against Hamas for their attack on October 7th.

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Ignore Denby Fawcett

Opinion Devoid of Evidence

It’s good that Civil Beat labeled as opinion Denby Fawcett’s 2/13 inaccuracy-ladened diatribe against cannabis legalization for responsible adult use. As it relates to the issue itself, I can count on one hand, with fingers to spare, the number of factually accurate statements that can be found in her piece, “3 Good Reasons Not to Legalize Marijuana.”

Rather than conducting a fact-based investigation of her own, she chose to rely on the talking points of self-admitted prohibitionists, however well-respected they may be.

For starters, she, like many confounded opponents, asks, “why now?” Why the big push this year? I might ask, “why not?” Yes, it cannot be denied that our state faces a myriad of serious and complex issues. Is there a time in recent memory when it didn’t?

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