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A leader’s character is measured by the moral courage they exhibit when facing immense pressure. Hawaii is now facing a profound crisis, and the time for gentle diplomacy has passed. The state needs Gov. Josh Green to demonstrate that courage by immediately calling a special session of the state Legislature. Faced with looming federal budget cuts, Gov. Green and the Legislature should have used last session to lay out a comprehensive fiscal plan, including measures to raise revenue progressively. The threat to our most vulnerable residents is no longer speculative — it is an impending disaster poised to deliver a devastating double blow, stemming from federal inaction and questionable state fiscal decisions. The first, external blow is a looming $3.5 billion cut in federal funding. This isn’t just a budget reduction; it’s a direct threat to real lives: an estimated 3,400 job losses, 62,000 people losing health care, and 94,000 children, veterans and elders facing hunger as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits disappear. Rural hospital closures and insurance premium spikes of up to 158% are very real risks. The second, self-inflicted blow is the administration’s own policy. In 2024, the governor signed House Bill 2404, the “largest income tax cut in our state’s history,” sacrificing an estimated $5 billion in future state revenue. How can this massive state tax cut be justified when federal funding for essential safety-net programs is being decimated? This reckless gamble places the entire burden of the funding gap squarely on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens. The Legislature and the governor’s own party are ready to act. The Democratic Party of Hawaii’s State Central Committee passed a resolution on Oct. 11, overwhelmingly urging the Legislature to convene a special session no later than Nov. 30. Any delay in action is compounding the uncertainty and hardship across the islands. The call for a special session centers on two immediate and critical threats: enacting “no secret police” protections, and safeguarding reproductive and transgender health care. >> Enacting “no secret police” protections. Our communities are living with a chilling uncertainty regarding unidentifiable masked individuals operating under the color of law. This erosion of trust chills access to public services. Hawaii must mandate that any officer acting under the color of law be visibly identifiable (face unobscured, badge displayed) and that their apparel and vehicles bear conspicuous agency markings, similar to measures adopted in California. A special session must also enforce the protection of sensitive places and establish rules for data minimization and privacy. >> Stabilizing reproductive and transgender health care. Recent federal actions have restricted Medicaid reimbursements, creating gaps in contraception, abortion and medically necessary care for transgender people. These cuts disproportionately harm working-class families and rural residents. Other states, including Washington, Colorado and New Mexico, are already taking emergency action. Hawaii retains the clear authority to appropriate state funds to sustain these essential health services. The special session must be used to stabilize core services, ensure affordability and coverage, and strengthen privacy and safety to minimize cross-jurisdictional conflicts. The governor was elected with a substantial 63.2% mandate in 2022. That power is meaningless if not used decisively in a time of crisis. Inaction is consent to harm. The people of Hawaii have made their will clear. The administration must use its mandate, call the special session, and act now to protect the community. Justin Hughey is on the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s state central committee, education caucus representative.
