Aloha Reader,

This week we continue to focus on the primary—14 days left until all ballots must be received. Get yours in, and make sure your friends and family vote too.

Use your voice: record a short video for social media encouraging others to vote. Here's an example: watch the reel​

What's inside

• Say their names
• Della v. Derek and dark money
• Della v. Derek and the issues
• Jarrett v. Ed
• On our radar

National news

Say their names

Erasure of names has long been used by tyrants to deny the humanity of their victims. This week, the practice took a strange turn. The Department of Defense—illegally rebranded the "War Department" by executive order, though only Congress has the authority to rename it—removed the names of the four most recently killed service members from its website. Among them is 1st Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan of Ewa Beach, Oʻahu.

Trump removed the names from official memorial listings, arguing that their deaths did not occur “during a war” because a ceasefire was in place at the time. This interpretation is both historically inaccurate and deeply disrespectful; these troops died in direct connection to military operations stemming from the conflict. This decision is not a “technical correction” but an attempt to rewrite the record for political convenience, diminishing the sacrifices of those who served. All to support the charade that we were not at war with Iran during the ceasefire. It’s part of their deceitful campaign to avoid having to get Congressional approval by breaking the war into pieces so they can claim it hasn’t reached the 90-day limit.

We applaud our congressional delegation for honoring Lieutenant Feehan. We also hold space for Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, and Private Isabella Gonzales, killed in the Iran War this week and scrubbed from government websites.

And we say the names of the latest victims murdered by ICE: Lorenzo Salgado Araujo of Houston, Texas, and Johan Sebastian Guerrero of Biddeford, Maine.

This foreign and domestic violence, and the attempted erasure of the records, are all part of the same story. The US now has a government built on corruption, lawlessness, personal vendetta, disinformation, and no accountability.

The separation of state and federal power is the one guardrail that continues to hold the federal government in check. That's why Trump is having such a hard time undermining free and fair elections. That's why we are so focused on this primary in Hawai'i. We need to elect fighters—not folders—who will continue to protect us from federal overreach.

State news

Della v. Derek and dark money

We need to address something disappointing. On social media, some folks who have chosen not to be part of the Indivisible Hawaiʻi Statewide Network (IHSN) are causing confusion. They have started brand-new messaging using the "Indivisible Hawai'i" name. Their misleading approach is remarkably similar to the way dark money groups rename their Super PACs to create confusion around anonymous spending.

These folks are supporting Derek Kawakami for Lieutenant Governor and have questioned our assertions about Derek's use of dark money. They also have been writing favorably about the influence of Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) in Hawai'i politics.

Let’s set the record straight.

At IHSN, we are very serious that dark money has no place in Hawai'i elections. We want to get back to the pre-2010 conditions, before the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United. Back then, political contributions were traceable to the humans who gave them. To that end, we vigorously supported Act 11 (SB 2471) and shepherded it through the legislature, and we will continue to support it as challenges to the law wind their way through the courts.

In particular, we are being challenged on the characterization of PRP and its current Super PAC, "For a Better Tomorrow." Accordingly, we posted a deep dive here to set the record straight and document PRP's alarming history with electoral politics in Hawai'i.​

As for the relationship between Derek Kawakami and PRP, For a Better Tomorrow is the entity purchasing thousands of dollars in campaign advertising featuring Derek. This is the fifth name used by PRP for its Super PAC. We are making no allegation of improper coordination between the campaign and either PRP or the Super PAC. We are reporting publicly observable facts to help our members make informed decisions on their ballots.

Once again, after careful scrutiny of the Belatti campaign, IHSN leadership voted unanimously to endorse Della Au Belatti for Lieutenant Governor. Polling of IHSN members also supported Della. Please do not be misled by any detractors. We strongly support Della for many reasons including our collective fight against dark money in elections.

Della v. Derek and the issues

Our endorsement of Della goes beyond her work as co-chair of the Good Government Caucus. She has been a tireless advocate for working families, healthcare access, LGBTQ+ rights, and migrant rights. If you have any doubt, watch her talk story for IHSN members.​

In contrast, Derek Kawakami has been remarkably silent on the issues. He has refused to debate and has declined the opportunity to speak to IHSN members.

Migrant rights is a perfect example of this difference. Della fought hard in the 2026 legislative session to get six new laws enacted protecting migrant rights. Derek has said nothing since the December 2025 apprehension by multiple federal agencies of 44 migrant workers from Kauaʻi while he was mayor. And there is no record of his working on migrant rights as a state representative.

👉 Find out how to help at ​DellaBelatti.com​

👉 For sign-waving, phone banking, and canvassing, check out all of her volunteer opportunities here​

Jarrett v. Ed

Ed Case still refuses to debate or take live questions from his voters, but Hawai'i News Now has been releasing good comparisons of the candidates:

• ​Immigration Policy​
• ​Free, Fair and Secure Elections​
• ​Cost of Living​
• ​Style and Substance​

In Thursday's What's the Plan, Indivisible Founder Ezra Levin again stressed the importance of our Congressional District 1 (CD1) primary race. This is a test for Hawai'i and for the Democratic Party nationally of whether we can get the leaders we deserve. It's great to see Indivisible National joining the fight for Jarrett.

👉 Find out how to help at jarrettforcongress.com​

👉 Find a volunteer shift near you​

Vote! Our Lives Depend On It!

Friday night, Hawai'i J20+ hosted a solidarity forum with Nandita Sharma, Senator Karl Rhoads, and Judith Wong of the League of Women Voters to discuss the federal threats to free and fair elections. The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Scott Nago, Hawai'i's Chief Election Officer, for his courage in standing up to repeated intimidation from the federal government. Scott Nago is the model civil servant we need now, combining a moral compass, fortitude, dedication, and adherence to his constitutional oath.

It is unfortunate that our Chief Election Officer has to endure unfounded threats both from the federal government and the state Elections Commission. Scott Nago has been a bulwark against both, keeping Hawai'i's elections free, fair, and secure.

On our radar

• Governor Green has still done nothing to recall the Hawai'i National Guard troops from Washington, DC. His silence is deafening.
• Palantir was founded as a defense contractor by tech billionaire Peter Thiel to bring data science to the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) foreign surveillance efforts. In 2025, Palantir negotiated a sweeping contract with the Department of Homeland Security, apparently for domestic surveillance. They are actively recruiting and have job listings for their Honolulu office. We'd love to know what they're up to. If you or anyone you know happens to interview with them, maybe you could fill us in.

Hoping to run into you at the ballot drop box,

Aloha,

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