It would seem that the last time I would see recently passed Representative Gene Ward was also the last time I would see other friends from the Republican Party, at Marian and Jim Grey’s house in Hawai‘i Kai in December 2022.

We were watching the Hawaii Kai Holiday Boat Parade, an event held every year where boaters in the area would dress up their boats in Christmas livery and parade them. Every year that my wife, daughter, or I attended the event, Gene was typically there.

For this last time, though, in reflecting on a person I got to know over my years of participation in the political world of Hawai‘i, we were able to chat a bit about the current fortunes of the Republican Party in Hawai‘I, which recently saw an upswing in Representatives and Senators elected to the Legislature.

In that talk, I, as the publisher of this blog, told him that I had written a piece about the expansion of the party’s influence on O‘ahu, and even mentioned that O‘ahu was becoming more bi-partisan.

While talking to him I noticed that Gene was wearing a long-sleeved, silk-like shirt—something rare to see in Hawai‘i. It wasn’t an aloha shirt, but rather resembled the style you might find on the streets of Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur. The fabric shimmered under the lights, with a dark green background and intricate design.

At first, I simply thought it was a unique and elegant choice, a step above the usual attire. But then I remembered his time in the Peace Corps and the years he spent living and working in Southeast Asia. It made perfect sense—this shirt wasn’t just a fashion choice; it was a quiet nod to a significant chapter of his life, one that shaped his global outlook and ultimately, his approach to public service in Hawai‘i.

Going back to the conversation that we had about the article, Gene became intrigued by the subject. Noting that he may not have seen it and may have been unaware of how the electoral victories started to change the political map of O‘ahu, he asked me if I could send him a copy of the article.

I sent it to him as soon as I got home. He thanked me—that would be the last time we spoke.

Earlier this year, when this blogger was approached by one of his sources asking what was going on with Gene, in that he didn’t come to the opening session and that he was absent for the first two weeks, that was the first indication that something was up.

Just a short time later, news came out that he had been medically waylaid, but didn’t give any indication that he was about to step down because of it. The assumption was at the time, he would bounce right back and continue to be the voice of East Hawai‘i Kai as he had been for the last 16 years, 18 years in total.

Then the word came down that he was announcing his retirement. With the health reasons for his absence more serious than first expressed, his announcement was akin to the bell being rung on the ship, noting that a milestone event had just happened. Again, even with retirement due to health, the assumption was by this blogger that Gene would get well and then nicely convert into a statesman for the Republican Party, working on the more moderate side of the political philosophy.

Much like Charles Schulz, who retired shortly before passing, Gene closed his chapter in public service with quiet dignity, and then graduated from life in the same way.

For those who have been named to replace Gene, they will face the task of both filling the shoes of a Republican icon and then taking everything that they can to keep the seat Republican in the next election cycle in 2026.

That will not be a small feat.

They’ll have to capture the same magic Gene brought to East Hawai‘i Kai—first by making a meaningful mark in the community. Then, by becoming so connected and trusted that any Democratic challenger would think twice before pulling papers.

This is especially critical given the Democratic Party’s steady eastward march since the turn of the millennium, flipping seats in traditionally Republican East Honolulu. Gene’s district is the last GOP stronghold in that region; everything westward is now represented by Democrats.

And finally, his successor must build relationships across the aisle with the Democratic supermajority to bring needed resources back to the district. If they can manage all that, perhaps Gene’s legacy will not only endure but inspire the next generation of service in East Hawai‘i Kai.

As for now, though, rest well, Gene, you will be missed.

While much attention is paid to the federal judiciary as a check on executive overreach, another, quieter form of resistance plays out in letters—formal appeals from legislators that can shift federal interpretation and policy.

That’s exactly what happened in the case of recent executive orders targeting DEI initiatives and their potential impact on Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives.

Skipping to the punchline, after all of this quiet correspondence, it appears that Native Hawaiians will not be subject to new federal restrictions targeting DEI programs in schools.

So, how can this blogger say that with confidence? Well, there’s a story.

On January 20, 2025, the President, in issuing one of his first Executive Orders (EO) entitled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing”, states clearly in the text that the federal government, “shall coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.”

This language in this executive order sent shockwaves across the United States, specifically to nonprofits, academic programs, and social safety net providers serving specific communities. In short, language like this was seen as the end to any ability to obtain federal resources and permission to serve any one community, but to be one that only served everyone, regardless of race or creed.

The fear that this executive order placed on the nation got the attention ​U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Soon after this EO was issued, she fired off a letter, on Senate committee letterhead, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

In the letter, Murkowski asked that OMB issue a memorandum stating that Indian tribes and their programs would not be adversely affected by recent executive orders on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and environmental justice. The letter further asked the OMB to issue a statement that, “includes a limitation that acknowledges that nothing in the order should be construed to affect activities that implement legal requirements independent of the EOs, including “the statutory authorities, treaty, and/or trust obligations of the Department and its Bureaus/Offices to Tribal nations and the Native Hawaiian Community.” (Emphasis added by blogger).

Murkowski wasn’t alone in this advocacy. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which she chairs, is also co-led by Hawai‘i’s senior senator, Democrat Brian Schatz, and publicly stated its concerns and its request for information.

When this blogger got word of this letter during a conference of Native Hawaiian educators on March 28, research started on the nature of this letter and what impact it would have. At the time, which happened around the beginning of April, there was no letter of response back from OMB on the matter.

Between the release of Senator Murkowski’s letter, dated February 6, and April 25, 2025 (we’ll get back to the significance of this date in a moment), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) did not respond to her request for a statement. Notably, by the time the letter was sent, three executive orders related to DEI had already been issued: the first on January 20, targeting federal DEI programs; the second on January 21, aimed at eliminating “unlawful” bias and promoting merit-based hiring; and the third on January 29, which sought to ban the teaching of gender ideology and critical race theory in K–12 education.

So with no word by March on the matter, and these EO’s being implemented by federal departments through “Dear Colleague” letters and policy memo’s, naturally, the Native Hawaiian communities were getting nervous. News reports would highlight Hawaiian nonprofit entities worried about the future, and what they would be able to support should federal funding end.

A signal of direction, though, did appear.

On April 25, the Department of Education issued a letter in response to a similar inquiry from the National Indian Education Association. It clarified that Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and American Indian communities are not considered part of DEI or CRT categories. Crucially, Native history would not be treated as DEI content, shielding it from the administration’s punitive measures.

Considering that at the beginning of this administration’s service, now only 101 days ago, the narratives coming out said that Native Hawaiian issues would be seen as DEI-focused and therefore subject to the sanctions and penalties the administration was imposing on it, this clarification should come as good news to the Native Hawaiian community.

While the clarification ultimately came from a different source than Murkowski’s original inquiry, it validates the power of persistent, quiet advocacy. Even amidst the high-volume churn of the current administration, voices are still being heard—and sometimes, even heeded.

And while some could argue that this is a reversal by this administration, making the argument that anything outside of teaching or promoting an “American exceptionalism” that is wholly dependent on a homogenous, non-racial viewpoint of the United States is DEI and therefore now “illegal”, let’s chalk this development up, instead to “clearer heads prevailing” on the issue”.

---

Politics Hawaii with Stan Fichtman is a recipient of a 2023 Hawaii Society of Professional Journalist award

Long-time readers of Politics Hawai‘i might remember a few guest pieces from Mark Lindquist — a familiar voice with a global perspective.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Mark. He’s been on the ground in Kyiv, Ukraine, lending kōkua as the war with Russia continues. But this past Wednesday, April 16th, he shared something different — a personal post on Facebook reacting to news that the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is being shut down.

According to an ABC News report, the decision stems from “new operational parameters.” But Mark knows this program inside and out, and had more to say about what AmeriCorps NCCC stood for, what it accomplished, and what the country loses in its absence. His words offer both reflection and warning.

Here’s what he wrote:

---

America was weakened today. Civil society lost a constant champion. A program that logged over 114 million hours of volunteer service to American nonprofits and communities is no more.

Alumni received word today that AmeriCorps NCCC was cut by DOGE. I completely support cutting waste from the federal budget, but I would have preferred to keep this $38 million/year. The next generation of American citizens will have to learn how do without this cadre of do-gooders spread throughout society.

You probably don’t know about AmeriCorps NCCC. It is a successor of the old Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. Think of the NCCC program as a domestic Peace Corps. Our nation has long prioritized opportunities for its citizens to serve the greater good and I believe we are better for it.

I served two years with Americorps NCCC when I was 19 & 20 years old and learned how to be a good citizen of our nation while wearing a gray Americorps t-shirt.

In the year 2000 I was a young bright eyed and bushy tailed idealist who wanted to change the world but had no idea how. NCCC gave me the playbook. If it were not for my experiences in NCCC, I would not have known how to get things done in the world. If I had not served on Americorps teams I would not know how to lead and work with others around the country with such ease. Were it not for this program, I wouldn’t have had a blueprint for my work here in Ukraine these past three years.

Upon founding the Peace Corps, JFK said that the secondary benefit of a Peace Corps member is that they return to their communities after having learned, and grown, and extended themselves in service to their fellow man elsewhere on earth. The returning Peace Corps member enhances the American community they live in, not only because of what they did, but who they are.

My father, Gordon Lindquist is living proof of this – as he served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia 55 years ago and returned to Ortonville, Minnesota following his service. Dad set an inspiring example for my sister and me as he and my mother taught us to be responsible citizens. After I returned from Americorps, I always tried to uphold the same standard of excellence demonstrated by my father.

All I can say is that I benefited from this federal initiative that sought to strengthen communities across America by supporting the nonprofit organizations who do so much good in this country. The 5000+ nonprofits that NCCC supported these past three decades benefited greatly as well.

NCCC members helped kids learn to read, they cleaned up our National Parks and managed wildland fire risk, we built countless houses for Habitat for Humanity, and we restored inner city communities. When disasters strikes, NCCC leaps into action and cleans up, serves as Red Cross and FEMA aid workers, and puts American citizens back on their feet.

As you can see, I could go on an on about the impact of AmeriCorps NCCC on me, on Americans, and in our communities. For over 20 years, I’ve been proud to serve as an informal spokesperson for AmeriCorps NCCC, and I will continue advocating for the remaining Americorps programs, promoting national service every chance I get.

For now, let me simply say that I will carry our commitment to service with me this year and beyond. (IYKYK)

Americorps NCCC, thanks for the memories and for making me who I am today.

Mark Lindquist, Facebook post, 4-16-2025