The Political Old Guard Must Go

by Gary Hooser

President Biden’s decision to step down makes space for the new leadership we so desperately need to step up.

Hawai’i voters must demand our local entrenched political leadership do the same.

Thank you President Joe Biden for doing the right thing.

As we move forward now down this new path, it’s critically important we stay focused on the hope and promise of the future. Let’s work together to build bridges, not walls.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both should have stepped aside a long time ago, shifting their energy to supporting the young emerging leaders of both parties – of which there is no shortage.

The physical realities of growing old are real and have a tangible impact on performance. But it’s not so much about age as it is about entrenchment in the system.

Here in Hawai’i, Speaker of the House Scott Saiki (District 25) has served in the State House of Representatives for 30 years.

We also have 84-year-old State Senator Lorraine Inouye of Hilo who has served in the legislature for multiple decades.

It’s well past time for them as well as many other state legislators and local councilmembers who’ve been in the system way too long to move on – to step back so others may step forward.

Both Speaker Saiki and Senator Inouye are running for reelection against bright up-and-coming new candidates who have the knowledge, experience, and core values required of every candidate seeking to serve.

But more importantly, they have the drive, commitment, and that all-important fire-in-the-belly desperately needed at this particular point in time.

There are at least another dozen examples of next-generation leaders, pushing hard now against the old guard in their quest to serve in public office – in local elections across all islands.

The old guard brought us to where we are today, and it’s time for the old guard to go.

Thousands of our neighbors huddle in tents, under bridges, and in doorways. Our sons and daughters, friends, co-workers, and school-mates from long ago, are leaving Hawaii because there’s simply no place affordable for them to live.

Meanwhile the uber-rich smile down at us from their multimillion-dollar condominiums, beachfront homes, fake farms, and riverfront mansions.

Our once pristine natural environment grows less so by the day. The mountain streams, the coral reefs, our sandy beaches, all will be gone soon – sold off to the highest bidder.

The old guard brought us here and you can bet whatever meager savings you might have, they will not be the ones who get us to a better place.

The old guard in Hawai’i must go.

They’re entrenched in their power and position, and they will continue to protect themselves and their friends until we show them the door.

Of course, we should be kind and gentle, respectful and polite – but we should and must show them the door nevertheless.

Yes, many are good people who’ve served for many good years, but the grind of time inevitably erodes the once-sharp edge of hope and idealism.

The creep of corruption begins with accepting the status quo, “This is the way things always have been, and I must go along to get along”.

There s too much at stake to look the other way and act like we don’t see.

We can and must vote out the old guard and vote in new leadership, new energy, and new hope.

GARY HOOSER is a former Hawai’i State Senator and Majority Leader.