Good Government Resolution
Reclaiming Democracy: Good Governance Resolution
HAPA has been circulating a resolution through neighborhood boards calling for stronger campaign finance reform at the state level—and the response has been overwhelmingly supportive.
The resolution urges the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to pass meaningful reforms that end the pay-to-play culture in politics by:
Banning campaign contributions from state and county contractors and grantees—a practice that creates real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Strengthening public financing programs by increasing expenditure limits so that publicly funded candidates can actually compete.
Restoring public trust by ensuring elected officials answer to the people, not corporate donors or political insiders.
This push comes after a string of high-profile corruption scandals and investigative reporting that has laid bare how political donations from contractors, lobbyists, and developers often influence legislation and public projects.
Neighborhood boards serve as the most hyperlocal level of civic engagement in Hawai‘i, and their support is crucial. Several boards have already passed the resolution, signaling widespread public appetite for cleaner, more accountable governance. Others are reviewing it now.
As HAPA organizers present the resolution to more boards in the coming weeks, they hope to build a wave of community-led support that lawmakers cannot ignore.
Want to help? Reach out to your neighborhood board and encourage them to agendize and pass the resolution. Together, we can create a democracy that truly works for the people of Hawaiʻi.
Passed
13. Downtown-Chinatown - Reso
08. McCully-Mō'ili'ili - Reso
11. Ala Moana-Kaka'ako - Reso
07. Manoa - Rules
04. Kaimukī - Rules only
15. Kalihi-Pālama - Reso
10. Makiki-Tantalus - Rules only
31. Kailua - Rules only
24. Wai'anae Coast Reso
05. Diam. Head-Kapahulu-St. Louis - Amended to remove prohibiting campaign contributions from staff
30. Kāne'ohe - Minutes
Voting (already discussed at NB)
23. 'Ewa
16. Kalihi Valley - supported but no quorum
Working with NB to get on the Agenda
32. Waimānalo
18. Āliamanu
29. Kahalu'u
22. Waipahū
26. Wahiawā-Whitmore Village
02. Kuli'ou'ou-Kalani Iki
09. Waikīkī
12. Nu'uanu-Punchbowl
35. Mililani Mauka-Launani Valley
01. Hawai'i Kai
21. Pearl City
27. North Shore
34. Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale
20. 'Aiea
06. Pālolo
03. Wai'alae-Kāhala
36. Nānākuli-Mā'ili
14. Liliha-'Ālewa
25. Mililani-Waipi'o
Additionally, here is a list of organizations that have signed on to an official letter of support
Living Wage Hawai‘i
Chamber of SUSTAINABLE Commerce
Nurturing Wāhine Fund
Fernweh Studio
Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!
Hawaii Workers Center
Speak Out & Up Law, LLLC
HULI PAC
Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice
Kauai Organic AgroecoSystems (KOA), LLC
First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
Mānaiakalani Media
Lāhainā Strong
Academic Labor United
Greenpeace Hawaii
Will your organization sign on? With the reorganization of the legislature — including a new Speaker in 2025 — and the results of the 2024 elections suggesting voters are hungry for change in business as usual, now is the time to put pressure on elected officials to change the way business is done at the capitol, and implement new rules and laws that will increase public transparency, voter participation, and level the playing field for ordinary people over the wealthy, well-connected, and status quo!
Sign on now here:
