Clean Elections Hawai‘i Calls For Special Prosecutor to Investigate Contribution Improprieties
Recent revelations of potential campaign finance and ethics violations underscore the urgent need for accountability. Clean Elections Hawaiʻi is calling for the immediate appointment of an impartial Special Prosecutor to ensure these matters are investigated at arm’s length from the Executive Branch.
We need real answers: Who took the $35,000? In exchange for what? Where did that money go? How deep does this go?
At the same time, the Legislature must act now to pass key reforms that address the root causes of corruption, including closing contractor contribution loopholes, strengthening public financing, and improving enforcement of campaign and ethics laws.
Restoring public trust requires real accountability and bold action. Some of these bills will be heard this week. Add your name and sign the petition calling for an independent Special Prosecutor.
The action alert is below.
Good Government Priority (see below for talking points and sample testimony)
Testimony due: Wednesday 2/11 at 2:00 pm:
Support HB2127— Civic Education Grant Program
Testimony due: Thursday 2/13 at 9:00 am:
Support SB2246 — Expanding Ethics Disclosure Requirements
Support SB2447 — Extending Statute of Limitations on Campaign Finance Violations
Support SB2480 — Open Primary / Top-Two Elections
Testimony due: Thursday 2/13 at 10:30 am:
Support SB2728 — Expanding Voter Service Centers
If you have not done so already, you will need to create an account with the Hawaii State Legislature website to submit testimony.
Every action helps. Testifying on Zoom or in person is ideal, but not realistic for many. Writing personal testimony is powerful, but with so many bills, it’s not always possible. Even if you can’t submit full written testimony, logging in and selecting “Support” with your name and location still strengthens the record.
Civics Education Grant Program
Hearing in EDN on Thursday February 12th, at 2:00 pm; Conference Room 309
What Does This Bill Do?
HB2127 creates a Civic Education Grant Program within the Hawaiʻi Department of Education to support intermediate schools with civic curriculum, teacher training, and hands-on learning. It also establishes a Civic Education Trust Fund to provide stable, dedicated funding through legislative appropriations, grants, and donations.
Why Is This Important?
Students need intentional opportunities to build critical thinking skills, media literacy, understand how government works, and learn how to participate in civic life. A dedicated trust fund ensures civic education is a sustained initiative.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Woodsen, Vice Chair La Chica and Members of the Committee,
I support HB2127, creating a Civic Education Grant Program. Civic education is essential to preparing students to think critically, understand government, and participate in our democracy. By creating a dedicated trust fund, this bill ensures civic learning is sustained.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Expanding Ethics Disclosure Requirements
Hearing in JDC on Friday February 13th, at 9:00 am; Conference Room 016
What Does This Bill Do?
SB 2246 strengthens public trust in government by expanding financial disclosure requirements to include boards and commissions that oversee large sums of public money or exercise significant financial authority, as well as the executive directors and executive officers who manage day-to-day operations and financial decisions.
Why Is This Important?
By closing existing gaps in disclosure requirements, this bill ensures that transparency applies to the individuals with the greatest influence over public resources. Public financial disclosure helps identify conflicts of interest, promotes accountability, and reassures the public that government decisions are being made in the public interest.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard and Members of the Committee,
I support SB 2246. Boards, commissions and executive leaders who oversee significant public funds should be subject to clear and consistent financial disclosure requirements. Transparency helps prevent conflicts of interest and strengthens public trust in government.
{Insert additional comments here}
SB 2246 closes existing gaps in disclosure requirements and promotes accountability for those with the greatest influence over public resources.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Extending Statute of Limitations on Campaign Finance Violations
Hearing in JDC on Friday February 13th, at 9:00 am; Conference Room 016
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2447 starts the statute of limitations for criminal campaign finance violations when the offense is discovered by the Campaign Spending Commission, rather than when the violation occurred or was reported.
Why Is This Important?
Campaign finance violations are often concealed. Letting the clock run out before misconduct is uncovered rewards secrecy and undermines enforcement. This bill ensures accountability is possible when violations are actually found.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2447
Campaign finance laws only work if they can actually be enforced. Too often, violations are hidden through complex or misleading reporting and are not discovered until years later. When the statute of limitations expires before misconduct is uncovered, accountability disappears, and there are no consequences for bad actors.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Top Two to General
Hearing in JDC on Tuesday February 10th, at 9 am; Conference Room 16
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2480 reforms Hawai’i’s primary elections by allowing all voters to vote for any candidate in a primary or special primary election, regardless of party preference, and advancing the top two vote-winners to the general election.
Why Is This Important?
This approach expands voter choice and ensures that general election candidates reflect broader support. It also helps make elections more inclusive, competitive, and representative.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2480.
Allowing all voters to participate in primary elections expands voter choice and advancing the top two to the general elections makes our elections more inclusive, competitive and representative.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Expand Voter Service Centers
Hearing in JDC/EIG on Friday February 13th, at 10:30 am; Conference Room 016
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2728 appropriates funding to expand voter service centers, ensures statewide distribution of the voter information guide, and supports voter outreach and engagement efforts.
Why Is This Important?
Expanding the number of voter service centers and increasing their hours makes it easier for people to register, vote, and get help, especially for working families, kūpuna, and rural communities. Funding the voter information guide ensures voters have clear, accessible, and unbiased election information. Supporting voter outreach helps ensure these investments are actually used and that eligible voters know where, when, and how to participate.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Rhoads, Chair Wakai and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2728.
In-person voter service centers are essential, especially for kūpuna, neighbor island and rural residents, people with disabilities, first time voters, and anyone who needs to address ballot discrepancies.
Over the past two elections, people had to wait hours in line to vote or drive over an hour to reach their closest voter service center.
{Insert additional comments here}
SB2728 will ensure every vote is cast and all votes are counted.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
