Money’s Continued Impact on Hawaiʻi Politics

The legislature’s ongoing refusal to take any meaningful action or investigation into the unnamed state legislator who allegedly received a $35,000 bribe is just another example of how money continues to influence Hawaiian politics.

It is perhaps the most serious and damaging issue facing Hawaiʻi.

The bribery convictions of former State Senators English and Cullen are just two recent examples of this problem, but there are more involving government agencies.

In June 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawai’i, announced the conviction of Paul Sulla Jr., Gary Zamber, and Rajesh Budhabhatti for wire fraud and money laundering.

According to the Department of Justice press release, “…evidence showed that Sulla and Zamber, both attorneys living on the island of Hawaii (“Big Island”), and Budhabhatti, a private businessman on the Big Island, paid bribes and kickbacks to Alan Rudo, a Housing Specialist for the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development, in exchange for Rudo using his official position to ensure the County approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefitting the defendants’ development companies.



Although the defendants promised in the AHAs to build affordable housing for the citizens of Hawaii County, their development companies never built a single unit. Through the AHAs, the defendants fraudulently obtained at least $10,980,000 worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs). From that amount, the defendants paid or attempted to pay Rudo approximately $1,931,778 in bribes and kickbacks.”

This perception isn't just a feeling.

The March 2024 Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action poll found that two out of three voters believe elected officials care more about wealthy donors than their communities' needs.

The poll also found that voters want election reform to help minimize the influence of money over elected officials.

However, despite attempted reforms, money still skews the competitive landscape of Hawai’i elections.

Incumbents in Hawaiʻi consistently raise and spend significantly more than challengers, giving them a considerable advantage.



According to an August 2025 Civil Beat article, incumbent legislators are still benefiting from special-interest money by holding more non-election-year fundraisers, despite the passage of laws intended to level the playing field.

The implication is that the cost of running for office remains high in the state.

When the state legislature refuses to do everything in its authority to root out corruption in the government, regardless of who is implicated, it is the citizens who are wronged.

The fight against the influence of money isn't just about fighting corruption; it's about making sure that the policies created at the Capitol – from housing and land use to environmental protection – are genuinely designed to benefit the people of Hawaiʻi, not just those with the deepest pockets.

The fight continues.