Introduction

        Lobbying and political action are imperfect sciences.  The more we know about them and what works and what doesn't, the more questions there seem to be.  With the professionalization of politics there are more tools at the disposal of businesses that must lobby and be involved in political action:  polls, desk top publishing, fax machines, e-mail, the internet, access to newsrooms, voter and issue targeting services, are just a few "weapons" available to influence the modern legislature.

     Yet with all the new emphasis on technology, and the increasing emphasis on reform of the political process, we are still left with the fundamental aspect of lobbying and political action:  those who have friends in power are more likely to be able to exercise influence than those who do not.

     This article, originally written in 1997, seeks to give you more clues about what goes on in the lobbying and political action arenas that have such a direct impact on business in Hawaii.  There are very few fixed rules in the ever changing world of Hawaii politics that apply equally to all.  However there are insights which I believe are good bases upon which to build a political agenda capable of succeeding.

     Before getting into the nuts and bolts of lobbying and political action, here are a few golden rules that will apply.

FIRST: Your word has to be your bond.   This is becoming an old-fashioned idea in political life in Hawaii, but if one's word is not good, then the entire political superstructure becomes unsafe and the workings of civil government must inevitably fail.  Even when you have made a bad decision, which may have negative consequences, you must keep your word.  Truly, it is the lobbyist's only compass.

SECOND: That which you choose to do, do well.
There are always projects, plans, things that you or your industry will want to undertake.  Do not attempt to accomplish too much, as you will surely do most of it too superficially to be effective.

THIRD: Meetings become more inefficient by the number of them you have and the number of people attending.   If twelve or more people are to be attending a work meeting, stay away.  You'll get more done.

FOURTH: Watch your friends.   Remember, you know what to expect from your enemies but your friends will try to save you by talking out of turn or implementing ad hoc strategies of their own.  Group discipline is crucial to the success of all lobbying and political action.

FIFTH: Lighten up.   Lobbying and political action are serious business, but total absorption will all too often result in loss of objectivity.  A sense of humor is the most important attribute any political operative can have.

SIXTH: Don't waste time on paranoia.   Legislators and politicians are almost never engaged in plots to do you in.  They generally simply don't have the time, and if they did, they generally lack the interest.

SEVENTH: Constantly remind yourself of the words of King Arthur in Camelot:  "I wonder what the people are thinking tonight."   All too often business and labor leaders surround themselves with their own choirs and then play to and are played to by those choirs.  Read and analyze that which is said and written about you and your industry.  Don't believe your own press.  What is the perception of others?  How can you turn negatives into positives?

EIGHTH: Before committing to action, stop and think.   There is no rule that says that you cannot take time off to think things through.