I’m not in the right district. And I’ve been in enough campaigns to know whats going to work and whats not. I’m trying to get a friend of mine, Tyler, to run. But in talking with them and where they are at, I just don’t think they can meet the moment. They’re too much of a people pleaser, even they do regularly attend our protests. I’m still shopping for a candidate to run, but they need to already be in the district. There is a lane for taking on conservatives in safe blue seats from the left, but it needs to be willing to start fights. But they’ll need the right background and bonafides, and I’ve got at least one in my sights (Native Hawaiian activist, law degree, deep background in organizing, scientist).
Politics in Hawaii are, well, complicated. Especially by being one of the most diverse places on the planet, along with a geography of ongoing settler colonialism. You just aren’t going to “hop in” in Honolulu politics the way you might in another district.
Thank you for your detailed reply and I hope you’re successfully able to find the “right” guy. It’s remarkable to me that Hawaii isn’t more egalitarian/mutualistic given how isolated it is - but considering you can still get tons of stuff 2-day primed (on Oahu at least) I guess that isolation doesn’t seem as real as it used to.
I mean it is (egalitarian/mutualistic; being pono; understanding ones kuleana), but its also only a bit more than a hundred years out from being directly stolen in an oligarchial1 coup from the Hawaiian people. And considering how much so the impacts of slavery still influence other states politics, it shouldn’t be that surprising that this history still impacts our politics very strongly, especially considering that effectively, the oligarchs that took over the kingdom, are still in power.
And thats kind of what I’m saying. Ed Case is wide open to this critique considering that his family basically moved here to serve the post-coup, and then eventually, territorial government.
So there is real narrative power here, and the zeitgeist is primed. Just need to find the right candidate.
1: Liluakolani used the word oligarch to describe the Missionary party (and Dole specifically) in 1898
Not helpful for this exact scenario, but may can help if you’re trying to encourage someone to run for local / state office: Have you heard of the group Run for Something? They help young progressives run for office. They can help out in both general primaries and general elections
I’m not in the right district. And I’ve been in enough campaigns to know whats going to work and whats not. I’m trying to get a friend of mine, Tyler, to run. But in talking with them and where they are at, I just don’t think they can meet the moment. They’re too much of a people pleaser, even they do regularly attend our protests. I’m still shopping for a candidate to run, but they need to already be in the district. There is a lane for taking on conservatives in safe blue seats from the left, but it needs to be willing to start fights. But they’ll need the right background and bonafides, and I’ve got at least one in my sights (Native Hawaiian activist, law degree, deep background in organizing, scientist).
Politics in Hawaii are, well, complicated. Especially by being one of the most diverse places on the planet, along with a geography of ongoing settler colonialism. You just aren’t going to “hop in” in Honolulu politics the way you might in another district.
Extra edit: It looks like Tyler is starting to post Mandami style walking around videos… hmmm…🤔
Thank you for your detailed reply and I hope you’re successfully able to find the “right” guy. It’s remarkable to me that Hawaii isn’t more egalitarian/mutualistic given how isolated it is - but considering you can still get tons of stuff 2-day primed (on Oahu at least) I guess that isolation doesn’t seem as real as it used to.
I mean it is (egalitarian/mutualistic; being pono; understanding ones kuleana), but its also only a bit more than a hundred years out from being directly stolen in an oligarchial1 coup from the Hawaiian people. And considering how much so the impacts of slavery still influence other states politics, it shouldn’t be that surprising that this history still impacts our politics very strongly, especially considering that effectively, the oligarchs that took over the kingdom, are still in power.
And thats kind of what I’m saying. Ed Case is wide open to this critique considering that his family basically moved here to serve the post-coup, and then eventually, territorial government.
So there is real narrative power here, and the zeitgeist is primed. Just need to find the right candidate.
1: Liluakolani used the word oligarch to describe the Missionary party (and Dole specifically) in 1898
Not helpful for this exact scenario, but may can help if you’re trying to encourage someone to run for local / state office: Have you heard of the group Run for Something? They help young progressives run for office. They can help out in both general primaries and general elections