Press Release
Common Cause Hawaii: Election Night is Not Results Night
Election officials expect to have over five hundred thousand ballots to count if 2020 turnout numbers hold
Press
Media Contacts
Ariana Marmolejo
Regional Communications Strategist (West)
amarmolejo@commoncause.org
Common Cause’s network of national and state democracy reform experts are frequent media commentators. To talk with one of our experts, please reach out to any member of the press team above.
News Clip
Letter: Governor David Ige’s Response to March 31, 2020 Letter
Thank you for taking the time to write to me regarding transparency and democracy
during the COVID-19 crisis. Please know that many of your concerns were carefully
considered prior to the decision to temporarily suspend certain requirements of the
State’s Sunshine Law, part 1 of chapter 92, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS). While I
agree that transparency is of utmost importance, the ability of government to function at
all during a pandemic of the unprecedented sort we currently face is also critical and...
during the COVID-19 crisis. Please know that many of your concerns were carefully
considered prior to the decision to temporarily suspend certain requirements of the
State’s Sunshine Law, part 1 of chapter 92, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS). While I
agree that transparency is of utmost importance, the ability of government to function at
all during a pandemic of the unprecedented sort we currently face is also critical and...
News Clip
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.
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.
News Clip
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.
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.
News Clip
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.
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.
News Clip
Letter: March 27, 2020 Council of the County of Maui Agenda
Below is a letter from Sandy Ma, executive director of Common Cause Hawaii to the Maui County Council about ethics and transparency while emergency rules issued by Mayor Victorino to stay at home and
work from home until April 30, 2020, similar to the entire State of Hawaii.
work from home until April 30, 2020, similar to the entire State of Hawaii.
Press Release
Democracy Still Matters in Time of Pandemic
Press Release
KHON2: Kauai Councilman Arthur Brun indicted for federal drug offenses
More legal trouble for Kauai Councilman Arthur Brun, who’s now been indicted for federal drug offenses. He was one of twelve people arrested in a sting operation. Brun faces more charges than any of the other defendants, including the most serious offenses like conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
“Mr. Brun should have to abide by the same laws too and we want to make sure that the people are represented and Mr. Brun is not distracted by the pending charges,” said Sandy Ma, executive director of Common Cause Hawaii.
“Mr. Brun should have to abide by the same laws too and we want to make sure that the people are represented and Mr. Brun is not distracted by the pending charges,” said Sandy Ma, executive director of Common Cause Hawaii.
Press Release
ADVISORY Wed. Feb. 5: “Reject The Cover-Up” Rally in Honolulu to Protest GOP’s Sham Impeachment Trial
“Reject The Cover-Up” Protest Planned in Honolulu on Wednesday Evening to Protest GOP’s Sham Impeachment Trial of President Trump
News Clip
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Column: Lawmakers should advance ethics bills
Whether true or not, Hawaii has a perceived ethics problem among government employees and elected officials. The most obvious are the former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his city deputy prosecutor, soon-to- be ex-wife Katherine Kealoha, who were both convicted in 2019 of conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The Kealoha corruption investigation embroiled the Honolulu Corporation Counsel Donna Leong and Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro, who have both been on paid leave since early 2019. Common Cause Hawaii strongly...
Press Release
ADVISORY Jan. 11: Common Cause Hawaii & LWV Hawaii County Host 2020 Elections Preparation Panel with Political Party Leaders
Press Release
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Dodges Vote on Two Articles of Impeachment
White House hopeful upsets her constituency who support impeachment
Press Release
Nobody Is Above the Law Rallies in Hawaii Will Demand Trump’s Impeachment
On the eve of the House impeachment, rallies in the hundreds will take place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.