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Going coconuts: With the blockbuster news Sunday that Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, the planned fundraiser next week in Martha’s Vineyard with David Letterman and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is now up in the air.

The Sunshine Blog hears that the governor is still working on logistics and getting input from party leadership. One possibility is that the fundraiser could be held after the Democratic National Convention, which concludes Aug. 22 in Chicago.

If the fundraiser goes through, however, it would be for Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden endorsed and who as of late Monday had already obtained the delegates needed to clinch the nomination.

“I have endorsed the vice president and am excited about her candidacy,” Green, who is one of Hawaii’s nine superdelegates, told The Blog. “Any fundraising going forward will be for her and the new ticket.”

UPDATE: On Tuesday morning, The Blog was provided a link to a website for the Harris campaign, which suggests there have already been developments regarding the fundraiser:

Late Monday U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii also joined the Harris bandwagon, stating, “I’ve had the time and discussions with my constituents, colleagues and others I needed before deciding on the Democratic nominee for President. I endorse Vice President Harris.”

Meanwhile, another Hawaii superdelegate posted on his X feed Monday his enthusiasm for Harris. Coconut trees, it turns out, have become for the VP.

Madam Vice President, we are ready to help.

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz)

We’re in the money: Speaking of money, the governor and politics, Hawaii’s primary is less than three weeks away. Many legislative incumbents and even a few candidates who are not in the Legislature but want to be are using their Civil Beat Candidate Q&As to praise that historic tax cut passed during the 2024 session.

Here’s how the tax cut would work out for residents, as presented by the governor in two easy-to-digest PDFs at a recent press conference at the State Capitol:

That said, some wrote in their candidate Q&As that they are worried budget cuts may be necessary down the road to support the huge giveaway in state revenue.

Or maybe we’re not in the money: Speaking of state budgets, The Pew Charitable Trusts is out with that predicts many state budgets are expected to shrink substantially in fiscal year 2025 as the post-pandemic era “of surging revenue, record spending and historic tax cuts comes to a close.”

Total general fund spending is expected to fall to $1.22 trillion, from estimated levels in fiscal 2024, which ended for most states on June 30. That means state legislatures and governors may have to make some tough calls very soon.

Pew directly references Hawaii’s tax cut and agrees that it is the largest income tax cut in our state’s history, totaling $5.6 billion in lost revenue by 2031.

Of primary interest: By the time you read this edition of The Sunshine Blog, primary ballots should have already arrived in Hawaii mailboxes. And now you can sit down with the state’s very first voter guide that has been posted online. It’s available in English, Chinese, Olelo Hawaii, Ilocano and Tagalog. Printed copies are available at any Hawaii Public Library.

The guide offers basic information about the election, voting and candidates. It also includes both the legal name and ballot name of candidates.

Regrettably, more than 20 candidates did not submit head shots and statements of candidacy, even though there was no fee required. And the statements are limited to just 150 words.

Not sure who your candidates are? by typing in your island and street address.