Behind every law passed in Hawaiʻi, there’s often a voice whispering in lawmakers’ ears—and it might not always be the public’s. In 2025, as the legislature debates major bills on housing, tourism regulation, and climate policy, lobbyists are more involved than ever. But how much of their influence are we truly aware of?
Lobbyists–paid professionals who persuade lawmakers on behalf of industries, unions, and interest groups–are legal and regulated. However, concerns have erupted about whose voices are indeed being heard.
During the 2023 legislative session, 371 organizations spent a record $5.6 million on lobbying. This emphasizes its increasing involvement; on average, about 330 organizations reported expenditures in previous years. Furthermore, in 2024 alone, over 460 registered lobbyists were active in Hawaiʻi, with the largest spending groups tied to matters regarding real estate development, tourism, and energy.
Bribery scandals involving former legislators and county officials have necessitated the examination of lobbying practices. Several of these corrupt incidents question undue influence and ethical violations within Hawaiʻi’s political system.
Major corporations such as Alexander & Baldwin, Nan Inc., and KSG annually spend hundreds of thousands to sway laws affecting public land, zoning codes, and tax incentives. For instance, Alexander & Baldwin’s diversion of East Maui waters for over a century has compromised Native Hawaiian rights to kalo farming and disrupted native stream ecosystems, despite persistent opposition from local communities.
Meanwhile, grassroots organizations struggle to be on par with gaining time and attention. An example is the Sierra Club, which heavily relies on volunteer-led campaigns and small donations to support its advocacy for stricter protection of native forests. Another instance is OLA’s (ʻŌlelo, Leadership, Advocacy) community meetings and letter-writing that drive against large-scale resort development efforts requiring significant time and energy. However, these efforts often receive limited media coverage or legislative traction.
Lobbying is unnoticeably diminishing residents’ voices, as the dictation of wealthy corporations and special interests is being intensified at the expense of everyday people. When money and influence dictate which policies get attention, laws often favor private profits over the public’s well-being, resulting in decisions that harm local ecosystems, displace residents, or limit access to affordable housing; the list goes on. This imbalance is ethically wrong as it subverts democratic fairness and questions the trust and inequality in not just Hawaiʻi’s, but the world’s political process.
This may seem irrelevant to many students at Punahou, but today’s high schoolers will soon become voters, business leaders, and public servants. Understanding how legislation is shaped and by whom is crucial for becoming informed citizens.
Recent debates regarding stricter vacation rental laws, military land leases, and climate adaptation funding have revealed the sharp tension between public interest and private power. So the next time a law is passed or a development breaks ground, ask yourself: whose signature is really on it?