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Observers of Hawaii politics have found themselves disappointed with the lack of progress our state and county governments have made this year. As is often the pattern, we entered into the new year with fresh elected public servants and even fresher hopes that maybe, this time, things might be better.

After all, Hawaii has been reeling from multiple high profile corruption cases involving former elected officials and even civil service employees in regulatory agencies taking bribes. One would think that the shame of these alone would be enough to clean up government, but instead, the state of reform and transparency in Hawaii is summed up once more with the word “meh.”

To be honest, expecting our elected officials to be the cure for our problems was always a stretch. I’ve worked in state executive, legislative, and public university positions in both Texas and Hawaii since 1998, and everywhere I go, the problem is the same, regardless of the laws or partisan control: Bad people frequently go unchecked, ignorant/indifferent people abound, and good people are so financially fragile that they tolerate evil just to guarantee their livelihood.

So how do we improve our local and national condition? Are we doomed to kakistocracy — government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state — and destined for inevitable ruin?

Maybe. When studying countries like Russia, sociologists to describe how the public has become so collectively burned out by corruption and tyranny that they totally withdraw from political engagement and just let the strongmen and state corporations in power do whatever they want. (Yeah, I know, kinda reminds me of the City and County of Honolulu.) And while I wouldn’t quite say that the Aloha State is de-politicized, we sure are getting close with so few people voting and so much incompetence being tolerated as an acceptable norm.

You can’t allow yourself or your neighbors to be de-politicized. You also can’t let Hawaii just run you off to the mainland with your tail between your legs like so many others.

Who is the key to fixing Hawaii? You.

A “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” requires people to succeed. If our people are more content with the crumbs falling from the table of the Establishment than they are sitting at the table themselves, then there’s going to be a problem that won’t go away.

Samuel Adams famously said, “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains rest lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”

The good news is, you’re reading this article, so there’s a strong chance you’re just the kind of person who has what it takes to ignite a positive change, but maybe you might not know how to get started.

Well, here’s how.

Stop Being A Mouse And Demand Better

I’ve written before that we all need to live by the creed of “I will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those among us who do.” In Hawaii, we’ve developed a toxic, zero-accountability culture.

Why is this? A lot of people are constantly afraid that standing up will result in persecution, recrimination, retaliation or termination, so they just keep their heads down, hide from evil and try to do whatever they can just to get by. 

“Maybe if we just keep our heads down and wait for the perfect time, something will come our way.”

Mice live precisely like that, hiding from scary humans and eating in secret, hoping no one will ever notice them. The truth is, you’re going to experience the negative effects of evil the more you tolerate it, so you might as well deal with it now.

One of the best things that ever happened to me was to grow up as an only child in a Filipino family. By default, there was no one else to blame, and everything was always my fault (even when it wasn’t) so I would get ferociously spanked by my parents no matter what I did. 

As an adult, I love fighting bullies, knocking over the apple cart and deeply offending overlords, because I already expect to be mistreated, discriminated against as an unwanted minority, excluded, blacklisted or fired. That’s called life, and life goes on. 

We can change things. But it will take persistence, and it will take people.

When more people in Hawaii get over the fear of being “spanked” by the corrupt Establishment and just start to stand up for honor, that’s when we’ll start to take this place back. 

Yes, if you see coworkers/colleagues committing crimes you should report it, immediately, without hesitation. How will the FBI know to investigate a crime if you don’t report it?

And yes, if you don’t like what’s happening in government, you should fight back against it. How can justice be served if a lawsuit is never brought before a court, or an issue is never put on the ballot?

And yes, if you see someone else being mistreated, persecuted or hurt, you should intervene to help that person or group. Why? Because a corrupt regime always thrives on indifference, cowardice, racism, paranoia, and worst of all, the social isolation of victims.

Don’t be a mouse, be a human. Humans build civilization and defend their communities. Spend yourself on worthy causes. Say what you mean and do what you say. Protect weak people and be strong for them. And when no one will do anything, take that as your cue to do something.

We can change things. But it will take persistence, and it will take people. Don’t expect others to do what we ourselves need to be doing. When we lead by example and live as examples of good government, that’s when we’ll have great results in Hawaii.