Aloha Reader,

Yep, we write long emails, but so much is going on 🙃😊

Each newsletter is designed to be easy to read and skimmable, so look for headlines on national, state, county, and local happenings. This way, you can quickly find the information that interests you most. Let's get started.

NATIONAL NEWS

Iran war: Who knows?

On Friday, Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz was fully open. Trump made several unsubstantiated and conflicting claims regarding the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Just minutes later, Netanyahu contradicted Trump’s statements. This situation brings to mind George W. Bush infamous “Mission Accomplished” banner.

Trump vs the Pope

MAGA has long associated itself with Christian rhetoric, just as the Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan did. This week, the absurdity reached a new low. Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, later retracted it, and then repeatedly attacked the Pope for preaching the Gospel of Peace. Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Hegseth inadvertently led the Pentagon in prayer by reading an excerpt from the script of "Pulp Fiction." [You can't make this up!]. In the film, this satirical passage precedes a murder. On an uplifting note, Stephen Colbert had a field day with this absurdity, and it’s definitely worth watching.

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Trump-Epstein coverup continues

This week, former Attorney General Bondi failed to honor a subpoena to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on the Epstein files cover-up. Watch for a contempt citation, queuing up another confrontation with the Justice Department, which has initiated 0 prosecutions as it continues to withhold 3 million pages of evidence. It’s important to remember that the Justice Department works for us, the people, not for the President.

Celebrating Hungarian election

Hungarian Peter Magyar’s party soundly defeated Viktor Orbán’s winning a huge majority, enough to amend the Constitution to undo Orbán’s efforts to turn the country into an illiberal democracy. This was after Trump, Vance, Rubio, and Netanyahu's son tried to sway the Hungarians to turn out for Orbán. His regime was not only the model for Project 2025 but also a major funder of CPAC, and a close ally of Putin. The outcome of this election in a small European country cannot be overstated and marks a significant setback for the radical right-wing movement worldwide. The success of autocrats is not inevitable, so those of us who want to live in a functioning liberal democracy must continue to push forward. Orbán’s MAGA acolytes are running scared as they see these developments as a precursor to the US 2026 mid-term election.

Warrantless domestic mass surveillance extended for 10 days

Last week, we called out the danger of renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which Kash Patelʻs FBI has reportedly abused illegally to scoop up massive data on US citizens. Congress extended the law for 10 days to allow time for negotiations on reforms. Don't let Congress give this government the authority to keep spying on us without due process.

TAKE ACTION:  Tell Congress to say no! Indivisible makes it easy, simply click here.

STATE NEWS

Primary Election - Congressional District 1

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 5:30 pm, the Indivisible Hawai'i Statewide Network is holding a webinar, "Electing Leaders We Trust in the Hawai'i 2026 Primary". The webinar will cover: 

• Specifics about Ed Case's Voting Record and campaign war chest, why he needs to be replaced, and why your voice matters now;
• Information on Indivisible Hawai'i's Endorsement Process, evaluating the two Primary candidates challenging Ed Case - Jarrett Keohokalole and Della Au Belatti; and
• Why we need to hear from you NOW. 

Our hosts will answer your questions. 

• Lisa Gibson, Indivisible Hawai'i Statewide Network, Founder/Lead
• Sam Guckenheimer, Kona Indivisible Lead

After the webinar, you will be confidentially surveyed about which candidate you will support in Hawai'i's August 8 Primary.  

TAKE ACTION: Register NOW! Only those who register and watch the webinar live or by recording will be able to participate in the survey. Survey deadline: Saturday, April 25, 11:59 pm. 

Hawai'i Legislature Conference Process

Conference period

The "conference period" in the state legislature runs from April 20 to May 1. This is the time when the Senate and the House each designate conferees to reconcile their respective versions of the bills. Any bills can die if either chamber's leadership fails to assign conferees or if the two chambers' conferees fail to agree.  

GET EDUCATED:

• The Public Access Room is hosting a workshop on the conference process on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11 AM.
• There is also a recording of their workshop on budgeting.

Overturn Citizen United

We have been monitoring SB2471, a bill to override Citizens United in Hawai'i by prohibiting corporations from making political donations to candidates. Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress has posted a new update on its status.

TAKE ACTION: If you live in Senatorial District 2, represented by Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha, please reach out to him on Monday. Introduce yourself and say something like, “I’m calling about SB2471 SD2 HD2 , which is going to conference committee. This bill will shed light on dark money in Hawai'i elections. Please be sure that appropriate conferees are assigned to shepherd this historic legislation through the conference process and subsequent floor votes. Your constituents will remember.”

Phone: 808-586-9385 - email: senkanuha@capitol.hawaii.gov

COUNTY NEWS

The Hawai'i County Democratic biennial convention took place last Saturday. Several members of our leadership team participated, and we are pleased to announce that the resolution to advance ranked-choice voting in the state has passed, even if only for party primaries. This resolution will now be presented at the State Convention in May, so let’s continue to push this initiative forward. Notably, Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York through ranked-choice voting, and implementing this voting method here would provide challengers a fairer opportunity to compete against incumbents.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS

May Day protest and Economic Boycott

Indivisible National is part of a coalition planning an economic boycott and general strike on May 1, 2026. The national call is for a “No School, No Work, No Shopping” day to disrupt the violent billionaire takeover of our country and prioritize working families. The action is modeled on a successful economic blackout day in Minneapolis in January.

Here in Kona, we encourage you to shop ahead of May 1, to boycott national brands, and to support local businesses as much as possible.

We will gather for a "Workers over Billionaires" protest at 4-5 pm at our usual spot. May Day is also Lei Day, so consider making a lei and wearing aloha shirt clothing. We will also host a food drive for Aloha Latinos at the event.

TAKE ACTION: Register here to join "Workers over Billionaires" on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 4-5 pm on Queen Kaʻahumanu south of Henry Street, mauka of the Mormon Temple.

Pop-up Protests

The Trump administration is converting warehouses across the country into mass detention facilities — and communities are fighting back. The Federal Detention Center on Oahu has more than 298 people being held, both Hawai'i residents and people from the continent. When that is full, what's next? We need to be clear here in Hawai'i - no processing centers, no detention centers, no cages, no ICE anywhere in the US. It's time to end illegal detentions and stop the fascist takeover. Together, we show up, speak out and create change!

TAKE ACTION: Join us at on National Day of Action on Saturday April 25, 2026 from 4-5 pm. Register here.​

• Meet in the Kona Safeway parking lot near Baskin-Robbins, and walk up as a group to Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway and Henry St.
• Please arrive by 3:45 pm.
• Kona Indivisible will provide several large signs; feel free to bring your own!
• You might want to bring a hat and water as it could be hot and sunny.
• If you’re interested in participating, please RSVP. Send an email to lnlubrano53@gmail.com, or text at 503-784-6192.
  ​HUGE FAVOR: It's important to know who is coming so Ellen can communicate any last-minute changes to everyone.

Drag Bingo Benefit for Aloha Latinos

Yvette has organized a Drag Bingo fundraiser for Aloha Latinos on Sunday, April 19, 2026 (today!), at 4 pm at My Bar. Tables are sold out, but there will be seats available if you show up at the door.

No Potluck in May

We will skip the May potluck, because Kahuluʻu Beach Park will be closed for coral spawning. The inspiring environmental restoration at this beach park is now the subject of a documentary by Hawaiʻi PBS. It covers Auntie Cindi Punihaole’s tireless work to preserve Kahalu‘u Bay. The film highlights her efforts to blend Hawaiian cultural practices with scientific data to foster marine conservation.

Postcarding

Great news! We’re still celebrating Judge Chris Taylor’s election to the Wisconsin (WI) Supreme Court, where there’s now a 5 to 2 majority of liberal judges who will continue to protect voting rights and reproductive freedom during the next 7 years. Some of us began writing GOTV postcards for Judge Rebecca Dallet, our first WI judicial campaign (when Scott Walker was still governor) 5 years ago. Others wrote for later campaigns. “If it’s Spring, it’s time to write for WI Supreme Court” was our annual refrain. No matter when you started writing, all of us helped Wisconsinites reshape their judicial future. Our freedoms require daily gardening, and oh, how wonderful, when the harvest comes. Thank you for all that you’ve done.

Next Postcard Event:

• Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 3-5 pm.
  Pavilion 1 at Old Airport Beach.
  Postcards! Community! Raffle! (must be present to win). Hosted by Franny. Register.​

We provide you with free postcards, voter lists, scripts, and instructions. You provide the stamps, your writing muscle, and your favorite pens. We always appreciate your generous donation of postcard stamps or money towards postage so that all postcard writers can participate (including those with less financial capacity). This way, we can all find ways to help get out the vote.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: No Thursday postcarding parties at Kealakekua Gypsea Gelato in April. We are taking a break but will resume Thursdays in May.

Puh 😮‍💨, this was a lot, but that's the work we're called on to do during these crazy times.

Warmest Aloha,
Sam and the leadership team

- The Kona Indivisible Team ​konaindivisible.org​ ​info@konaindivisible.org​

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