by Gary Hooser
We need elected leaders who cannot sleep at night.
Those who lead our government should be individuals who cannot “un-see” the injustice that permeates our so-called modern civilization.
We need servant leaders who toss and turn throughout the night as they think about what they can and must do to make things better.
A palpable urgency of the moment, with the absolute certainty that together we can build a better tomorrow, must dominate the thoughts and actions of those who sit at the top.
We need leadership at all levels who see the people in our community living on sidewalks, under bridges, and in their cars, and the crying, starving, and dying children of Gaza, every day.
We need policymakers and government administrators who are unable to look away from the degradation of our water, our food, and our oceans and who are totally committed to making our world a better place.
Now. Today. At this very moment.
“After the mid-terms…”
“During the next regular session…:
“Once the budget allows for it…”
Any language of delay or denial is simply unacceptable.
Imagine if our Governor, our mayors, state legislators, and county council members each stood up and publicly condemned Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for the horrific ongoing killing of 40,000-60,000 Palestinians, with nearly a third of the dead under the age of 18.
Yes, of course, HAMAS must also be condemned for killing between 1,200 and 2,000 Israelis.
The United States funds this genocide.
The U.S. is the largest provider of weapons and has more troops stationed in more bases, and in more countries, than any other nation on the planet.
Imagine if our government leaders had the courage and resolve to shrink the budget and physical footprint of the U.S. Military, here at home and overseas.
Imagine our local state and county government leaders standing up to ICE… and passing local laws that prohibit law enforcement from hiding behind masks, and requiring due process.
Imagine further if our political leaders made a commitment to not wait until the next election cycle — or the next regular legislative session — or the next anything.
Imagine if they started now and didn’t stop until our community and planet turned the corner.
That’s the leadership we need and deserve, right now.
Anyone presently holding public office who’s unable to make that commitment and/or does not feel in their heart the urgency of the moment must be replaced in 2026 or sooner if there are legal, moral, and ethical methods to do so.
The good news: We, the people, have the power to make this happen.
If we’re asking our political leaders for a total commitment, it’s only right that we offer the same.
This means individual and collective action. It means calling and emailing our political leaders at all levels and demanding they take action NOW.
Of course, those in power will likely tell us, “There’s no money.” Our response should be “BS.”
We live in a time and place of great abundance. The wealth that surrounds us should go where it is most needed and most deserved — to support our planet and our people.
We must get rid of our own personal excuses as well. To win, we must show up.
We must attend those public hearings. Hold signs at the protest rallies. Submit testimony. Actively support the campaigns of new candidates. Donate money when we can.
Run for election ourselves if we can’t find others to step up.
Dr. King said it best: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
So, let’s do this. Let’s grab hold of that arc and pull it towards justice with everything we’ve got… and then let’s pull some more.
GARY HOOSER is a former Hawaiʻi State Senator and Majority Leader.
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