It’s Time…Now – MidWeek January 26, 2022

The time has come. This must be the year for immediate action. The state legislature is now in high gear for the next 90-days, so we all need to see real action on items which traditionally get discussed, lip-serviced, or tabled. 

Programs and funding need to be enacted this year. The pandemic has put more people on the edge of economic despair and we’re now beyond most of the federal funding, unemployment assistance, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) checks. We have a state surplus of funds due to greater tax collections than were expected. And we have more funds available through the state and counties via ARPA, the America Rescue Plan Act.

We have kids who’ve been out of school dealing with remote, then on site, learning and teachers stretched thin at work and at home. We have front line responders triaging on a daily basis- from early 2020 through delta and omicron. And those hospital figures don’t include the uptick in non-COVID physical ailments that simply festered over the past 2+ years.

We need money smartly and quickly given to the professionals in the nonprofit world who make sure it impacts those most in need, with built-in accountability. A disclaimer here… I run Aloha United Way, so I know the need for assistance has rarely been more urgent. Before COVID hit, the AUW survey counted about 595,000 people in Hawai`i’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population. Hard-working people, perhaps one or two missed paychecks away from experiencing major economic burdens. Ask an economist, the ripple effect of any additional duress would surely impact everyone here. Today, the ALICE number is presumed to be 700,000 people- almost half the state is living on the edge. Many haven’t been able to move ahead since the 2009 recession. 

Due to redistricting mandates, every state legislator is up for election this year. Leaving Hawaii’s vulnerable and possibly soon-to-be-vulnerable population- from keiki to kūpuna- in limbo this legislative session would be unwise- many of these people vote- and unethical. Follow the proceedings and comment to your elected officials (they work for you) on early childhood education and care, truly affordable housing, mental health assistance, and other annually-discussed social issues that shouldn’t need yet another study, committee, caucus, or report. No more obfuscation. The 2022 mission must be to resolve or mitigate items in play right now, not in five years.

Think about it…