Hawaii's all mail-in voting system is being touted as the cure-all that could save lives and preserve democracy, when voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Under Hawaii’s new vote-by-mail law, there will no longer be traditional polling locations. There will, instead, only be eight voter service centers statewide for people to vote in-person, same-day register to vote, or perform other necessary voter services. However, comprehensive planning will be critically important for Hawaii’s all mail-in Aug. 8 primary and Nov. 3...
Letter: April 23, 2020 Committee on Zoning, Planning and Housing Agenda
Not providing the public with the option to testify via remote access at the April 23, 2020 hearing is
illogical, especially when your Committee’s April 23, 2020 Agenda specifically provides that “[s]ome
committee members may be participating in the meeting by interactive conference technology from
remote locations.” More than illogical, the Committee is endangering the health and safety of the public by
having the public attend in-person your Committee hearing. The people should not have to decide between
Common Cause Hawaii is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core
values of American democracy. Transparency in government is key to a healthy and strong democracy. Common
Cause Hawaii provides the below comments regarding the April 16, 2020 Salary Commission Agenda.
Letter: Statewide Plan for Economic and Community Recovery and Resiliency
As the Hawaii Economic and Community Recovery & Resiliency Navigator, Common Cause Hawaii
respectfully asks you to keep transparency and accountability as tenets in planning for Hawaii’s revival.
Meetings of your special task force should be conducted according to Sunshine Law, and all
documents and records should be subject to Public Records Law.
Common Cause Hawaii is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core
values of American democracy. Transparency in government is key to a healthy and strong democracy. Common
Cause Hawaii provides the below comments regarding the April 15, 2020 City Council Public Hearing.
Testimony of Common Cause Hawaii Commenting on Agenda Item III, Board Action on temporary rules of operation to conduct virtual board meetings, April 2, 2020 General Business Meeting
Common Cause Hawaii is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to
upholding the core values of American democracy. Transparency in government is key to a
healthy and strong democracy. Common Cause Hawaii provides comments regarding the
transparency of the April 2, 2020 General Business Meeting of the Board of Education (Board)
and specifically Agenda Item III, Board Action on temporary rules of operation to conduct
virtual board meetings.
Letter: Transparency and Democracy In Times of Crisis
In times of emergency the Constitution is not suspended, in fact, it is needed even more
for transparency and accountability.
...The public needs to be able to participate in government in order for democracy to
continue to function. Government transparency and support of the public’s right to know
are more, not less, critical during emergency situations.