Editorial
Legislature must now stand up, be counted
| • | Here's how to contact your state representative, senator |
A week from tomorrow, the Hawai'i Legislature will gather in special session where our lawmakers will take on an extraordinary challenge.
This is an opportunity for historic leadership or historic failure; the choice is theirs.
The Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington have sent economic shock waves across the country. Hawai'i, isolated by thousands of miles of ocean and with few economic alternatives beyond travel and tourism, has been particularly affected.
No one expects our Legislature to perform miracles. These events are not of their making, and they cannot be expected to undo them or resolve all the problems visited upon the state.
But in a very real way, the challenge before lawmakers next week — while particularly dramatic — is really the same one that has been on the table for at least a decade: How can we revitalize and diversify our economy and create a healthy, sustainable economic future for Hawai'i and its citizens?
After Sept. 11, we can no longer back away from that challenge or hope that our salvation will be delivered to us from someone, somewhere else. We must act.
Gov. Cayetano has set the stage with a package of spending and regulatory proposals that quite properly focus on education. A vibrant, first-class education system from kindergarten to the highest levels of our university is absolutely essential for our future.
But lawmakers need not content themselves with Cayetano's package alone. They must also show leadership. Each and every one of the 76 people who sit in the Legislature has an obligation to demonstrate courage and imagination.
We must insist on it. Every citizen, every voter, should call directly on their lawmakers and demand that they live up to, and exceed, our highest expectations.
But we must not ask them to do it alone. There are a thousand good ideas out there — creative ways to deal with the short-term crisis and the long-term economic and social health of our beautiful state. Our policy-makers need to hear from you. Call your legislator and share your best ideas. And ask what they plan to do. Assure them you know the task is difficult, offer your help and make it crystal-clear they will be held accountable.
Together, we can survive this storm. Below is a list of lawmakers and how you can contact them by telephone, mail or e-mail. Make use of this opportunity. Hawai'i has been hit hard, but with strength, determination and aloha, we will be back.
