Hawai`i’s 2026 primary election (August 8) is two months away. Mailed ballots (yes, we still have those here) will go out in late July; candidate filing ends this week. You have time to (hopefully) educate yourself as to who to vote for, or against, because elected officials need to be held accountable.
For example, if politicians stand in the rain, smiling and waving as we drive by, does that mean they are incredibly dedicated, filled with steely resolve to get the job done and showing concern care for their constituent base? Or are they simply too loopy to know they should get out of the darn rain?
Do a bunch of distracting people with candidate signs standing ever-too-close to the roadway, vying for our attention, deserve a second look? Or are they unaware how hard it is to keep a vehicle from veering as we text and eat while driving? Do a bunch of people holding signs provide value in helping to make a decision, or should we delve one inch deeper to find out what candidates really stand/vote for?
Do repetitive ads paid for by self-interested, third parties actually provide a compelling story in 30-seconds about why a candidate deserves our vote, and does he/she who spends the most money on marketing deserve my fickle, fallow feelings?
And are the people/candidates who canvass my neighborhood with brochures promising that the keiki are our future and look-what-I’ve-done-for-you-lately bullet points sincere? Or are they simply pandering to ensure re-election, not offending anyone, and enhancing job security with its guaranteed hefty medical and retirement packages?
I’m not cynical, but surely skeptical after witnessing this repetitive cycle for over 50 years. Skeptics welcome information, while cynics won’t engage or simply toss ballots. It is not just incumbent upon incumbents to do their jobs. It’s up to the 45% or so of eligible voters here who can choose substance over style by perusing voting records and/or attending civic meetings. According to Ballotpedia, a non-partisan, fact-gathering entity, 95% of Hawai`i’s local legislative incumbents were re-elected in 2024. Yes, primaries matter.
Election results reveal reality about candidates, voters, and the competition (a rarity here). The maxim that we get the government we deserve is at the very base of a democratic system. Read up, attend meetings, vet sources; do simple homework online to help you make informed decisions in June. For all our sakes.
Think about it…