Gov. David Ige’s second-in-command, and his director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, have both abandoned ship.
It is just another sign of the chaos and dysfunction in the current Democrat-controlled state leadership. We are experiencing a historic first for the state of Hawaii, where a lieutenant governor deserts his post, particularly in such a tumultuous time when the people of our state desperately need of leaders to steady the ship. This move, combined with the systemic failures most recently highlighted by the massive emergency-system snafu, speaks to a more disturbing destination for which our ship is headed — if we don’t change course immediately.
But this story does not simply begin, or end, with Gov. Ige or former Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui. This moment highlights a disappointing legacy of the “Democrat Dynasty” here in Hawaii: the systemic and systematic failures of the “machine,” which continues to operate unchecked and unaccountable for decades. Our electorate gave unbridled power to a recalcitrant status quo, which has overtaken our sense of logic and vision for the future our people. And what do the citizens of Hawaii have to show for their undying loyalty to the dynasty?
We hold the dubious distinction of ranking in the top three for most tax-burdened states in the nation, while also having the highest overall cost of living and highest per-capita rate of homelessness.
Our public education system ranks 43rd in the United States based on quality. We have a notoriously anti-business environment and one of the five highest unfunded pension liabilities, with the state’s public funds’ shortfall at $25 billion. Given that a majority of our residents are living paycheck to paycheck with no accumulated savings, it is no wonder that some many of our families and friends are forced to abandon their lives in Hawaii, relocating to the far more affordable mainland.
This hopelessness is highlighted every election year by our state’s distinction of having the lowest voter turnout in the nation, despite the mounting pressures affecting every family in the islands. It is dreadfully obvious that “the tail is wagging the dog” here in Hawaii and that change is long overdue.
Now that we have had time to take a deep breath after the political turbulence of recent weeks, we must look forward, to reforming the status quo of our islands. How many times do we have to fail before we seek change? The pragmatic Republican Party of Hawaii offers new hope and a vision for our islands. We ask all voters to think about how their votes can shift the paradigm by bringing new ideas, new energy and new hope. It is time to realize that we are not beholden to a dynasty that no longer serves the best interests of the people.
Shirlene Ostrov is chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party.
