Aloha Reader,

Sam here. I’m sure you’ve just seen the news. Trump is shutting down the federal government. More proof that the Republicans cannot govern. It’s not surprising, as this regime abandoned responsible authority from the start. Where America once honored liberal democracy and the rule of law, Trump now promotes lawlessness, tribalism, and vengeance. (Did you see his address to 800 military leaders yesterday or the UN speech last week? ☹️)

Now we have the Republican shutdown, caused by their refusal to help fund healthcare for millions of ordinary Americans. Trump is putting troops on American streets, snatching our neighbors, and cutting critical funding for food and health care.

Protect Hawai'i

That’s why we need to protect Hawaiʻi. Our state and county officials need to step up like never before. This is the time for real leadership. We need them to protect us and fund Hawaiians’ essential needs.

We want:

1. No secret police—We need state legislation banning law enforcement agents from wearing masks and requiring them to have clear agency identification. (If CA can, HI can do it, too.)
2. No closure of health centers or hospitals – Trump's cuts to healthcare funding threaten our hospitals and clinics. We need state funding to fill the gap.
3. No taking food from keiki and kupuna. Trump’s cuts to the food programs could leave more keiki and kupuna hungry. We also need state funding to fill this gap.
4. No secret committees controlling state funding – We need transparency on how our tax dollars are used, and no funds should be allocated without public oversight.

That’s why we call for a special legislative session on November 17-21, 2025. The HI State legislature can pass laws to take effect by January 2026. We want them to be the bulwark against the Federal government's overreach.

Why now? If they wait for next year's next regular session, these protective measures will be buried in the usual avalanche of 3,000 bills. And, if passed, they may not become law until July 2026 and might not take effect until 2027. Our needs can’t wait! We live in extraordinary times. We need action now!

Call to Action #SpecialSessionNow

Tell your state representative, senators, and the governor to act without delay.

1. Call and write to demand a special session. The Legislature tentatively reserved the November dates during the last session, and this need was anticipated. But as far as we heard, our lawmakers are currently saying that they aren’t hearing from people demanding action. So, let’s make sure they hear from us!
2. While the Governor has the authority to call a special session, he, too, needs to hear clear support from the State House, Senate, and all of us—and he needs to hear it now. Please call and email Governor Josh Green. Go to Governor Josh Green, M.D. | Contact Us to use the online form for email and call his office at 808-586-0034.

If you don’t know your district lines and who your state representative and senator are in West Hawaiʻi, look it up on How to Contact Your Representatives. Explain that we need them to protect Hawaiʻi now! (Mine are State Senator Dru Kanuha and State Representative Kirsten Kahaloa. They have heard from me already 😉.)

Lead with Aloha and use its strength. Alo means presence, and ha means breath. Make your breath present and known, and use your voice where it will be heard. Call and write the Governor and your state senator and representative now!

Please use your social media presence to tell your friends and neighbors to join you, whether you use Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, or all of them. Use the graphics above, post that you have contacted your legislators, tag them by name, urge your friends to contact their representatives, and use the hashtag #SpecialSessionNow.

I always envisioned a world where my single voice could make a difference, and with you and all others in chorus, we will! Let's flood the zone for a #SpecialSessionNow.

Mahalo nui loa!

Sam,
Kona Indivisible Co-lead

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

​

PS: Please join us for our next major protest on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 4 to 5 p.m. and bring a sign demanding a #SpecialSessionNow. Register here.

​

​