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Government Transparency: It’s Time to Shine a Light

One of the biggest concerns I hear from people across our district is this: "Why does it feel like our government isn't listening?" The truth is, for the past decade, many decisions at the State Capitol have been made behind closed doors with little public input, last-minute changes to bills, and limited access to real-time information. That’s not how democracy should work. And that’s not how it will work if I have the honor of representing you.

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The FACTS

What’s Been Happening?

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Photo Credit: Cory Lum - Civil Beat 2021

Even though transparency is critical for public trust, Hawaiʻi has gaps in government openness that affect families, homeowners, and communities.

Key Areas Where Action Has Stalled

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  1. Unified Public Financial Data

    • Bills like HB 1706 (2024) aimed to create a comprehensive, easy-to-access financial dashboard for the state, showing budgets, contracts, and expenditures.

    • The bill did not pass, leaving Hawaiʻi without a centralized, user-friendly platform for taxpayers to track spending.

  2. Transparency in Government Meetings

    • Measures like SB 381 (2025) and HB 724 proposed clearer access to board decisions and leadership appointments.

    • These efforts stalled, leaving residents with inconsistent access to the process by which key decisions are made.

  3. Access to Government Records

    • SB 1255 (2025/26) sought to ensure records maintained by private contractors remain public.

    • The bill was carried over but did not become law, leaving gaps in accountability for outsourced government work.

  4. Clean Government Reforms

    • Several bills addressing term limits, election transparency, and accountability did not pass in 2025.

    • Hawaiʻi continues to lack some reforms seen in other states that strengthen public oversight.

  5. Public Reporting on Major Spending

    • Critical funds, such as settlement monies or program expenditures, are not consistently reported publicly and in a transparent way.

    • This limits residents’ ability to understand how state resources are being used.

Hawaiʻi has introduced bills to improve transparency, but many have stalled. Practical reforms,  like centralized data, clear reporting, and accessible records, are still needed to ensure government works openly and fairly for all residents.”

The Plan

Here’s What I’ll Fight For:

I believe Hawaiʻi residents deserve a government that is open, honest, and accountable. No one should have to guess how decisions are made or how taxpayer dollars are spent. My plan is simple, practical, and focused on real results:

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  • Open and Accessible Data

    • All state and county budgets, contracts, and spending should be easy to find and understand online.

    • Residents deserve regular updates so they can see exactly where their money goes.

  • Clear Legislative Information

    • Every bill, amendment, and committee report should be available online with a plain-language summary.

    • This makes it easy for families, workers, and small business owners to follow what matters to them.

  • Transparent Public Meetings

    • All boards and agencies should stream meetings online and keep recordings accessible.

    • Agendas and minutes should be posted before and after meetings, so residents can track decisions in real time.

  • Accountable Leadership

    • Elected officials and government programs should have clear, public performance metrics.

    • Residents should know the progress of initiatives and projects that impact their communities.

  • Easy Ways to Engage

    • Create digital portals for questions, requests, and feedback with visible tracking.

    • Residents should have a voice in proposed legislation and budgets with clear timelines for responses.

  • Smart Use of Technology

    • Use secure, modern tools to simplify access to government records and services.

    • Implement dashboards and visual tools so everyone can quickly understand spending and project progress.

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Photo credited: The Center for Public Integrity Nancy C. Lauer 2015

Government works best when residents can see, understand, and influence decisions. My plan puts Hawaiʻi families first,  protecting taxpayers, empowering communities, and building trust in our government.

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