Three simple resolutions for the Legislature in 2026

by Keli'i Akina, Ph.D., President / CEO, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

The first day of 2026 was two days ago, but it’s never too late to make resolutions about how we can improve ourselves.

This applies as well to our state lawmakers, who will gather later this month for another legislative session that, for good or bad, will affect all of us who live in these beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

With that in mind, here are actions I suggest they could resolve to do during the year ahead:

>> Go on a diet.

The analogy here is to cut out the junk food and empty calories. Any nutritionist will tell you that many people underestimate how much they eat in a day, especially when it comes to snacks and treats. Well, little spending increases and pet projects are the cookies and potato chips of the state budget. Taken by themselves, they seem harmless enough, but add them all up and you get budget bloat.

If you can’t stomach going on a crash diet of major spending cuts, then say no to the little temptations. Refrain from tacking on new spending, no matter how small, and approach requests for more spending by asking if it’s really within your “diet.” Maybe post a photo of a nice, slim, balanced budget on your fridge for inspiration.

>> Keep your promises.

It’s easy to make big promises when things look good, but don’t back out of those commitments as soon as the road gets a little bumpy. If you promised Hawaii residents meaningful housing reforms or the biggest income tax cut in state history, don’t wimp out.

Challenges are a fact of life, an opportunity to demonstrate how deep your commitment goes. Turning back on a major promise is something that voters will remember for a long time, regardless of how good your reasons for doing so might be.

>> Increase government transparency.

As the old saying goes, sunlight is the best disinfectant, and right now it seems there is much at the Legislature that needs disinfecting. True corruption is part of the problem, but the simple lack of transparency in the political process itself also feeds the public’s perception that lawmakers aren’t being honest with us.

To promote public trust, lawmakers should insist on no more short-form or “blankety-blank” bills that pass through hearings without all the information the public needs to reasonably judge them.

Also, no more bills get passed from committee to committee only to die before a final floor vote at the hands of just a few legislators.

And no more “Yes, with reservations” votes; if you’re against a bill, vote against it openly.

SO THERE YOU ARE, three simple resolutions for the Legislature in 2026: Go on a diet, keep your promises and increase government transparency.

If our lawmakers can stick to these resolutions, this year could be a great one for everyone who lives and works in Hawaii.

E hana kākou! (Lets work together!)