It’s been a whirlwind year of wild events and roller coaster ups and downs in 2021.

More than a few locals, myself included, are looking for a Christmas miracle, be it a victory over the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, relief from skyrocketing prices or hope that things in Hawaii will somehow change for the better. And since our local elected officials don’t seem to ever listen or learn, perhaps Santa Claus, if he’s reading, can deliver some policy presents for us on Christmas, this Saturday.

Here are my top five Hawaii political Christmas wishes for 2021:

1. The Hawaii Legislature needs to reopen immediately for in-person interaction.

Up until last week when Covid daily case numbers reached as high as 972 new infections in one day, our local government was opening everything up and acting as if the crisis was over. That is, they were opening everything up except their own facilities, which are locked up tighter than Fort Knox when it comes to public health restrictions. It’s safe to basically do whatever you want again on Oahu, but don’t you dare try to go into a government building.

The Hawaii Legislature, which is arguably the most important public place of engagement, needs to reopen to the public if everything else is going to be open. Remote/virtual engagement is not the same as in-person engagement, and has many disadvantages for the public when it comes to meeting with legislators or enforcing political accountability. The time for excuses is over. If it’s safe to engage in economic activity to pay taxes, you better believe it’s safe to meet in-person with my legislator.

2. We need to aggressively fight and expose corruption in local government.

Perhaps someone needs to pitch to the producers of the PBS documentary series “Frontline” doing a TV special on how messed up things are in Hawaii government. “Frontline” is an amazing show that blows the lid on some of the most despicable global dictators and unforgivable policy blunders, but all these things pale in comparison to the dystopia that Hawaii residents live under.

We have a terrible local pattern of enabling incompetence, looking the other way on corruption, and doing nothing when it comes to fighting back against bad government. We need to grow a spine in Hawaii politics and stop being so complacent.

3. State and Honolulu government needs to do something about how Oahu looks.

I can’t believe this is even a thing in a state that advertises it is a tourist destination, but immediate steps need to be taken to clean up and repair public spaces on Oahu. Many public bathrooms are unsanitary or atrocious; parks are neglected and shabby; public roads are strewn with potholes; trash is everywhere; and now, feral chickens are taking control of many urban parts of Oahu.

Talk to people in charge and they’ll tell you the usual lame excuses of “we’re doing our best, we don’t have the money, we don’t have the manpower,” but isn’t that always the problem?

How much money does it cost to maintain a standard of quality? It’s when you do nothing today that fixing things becomes expensive tomorrow. Take some pride in Hawaii’s capital city and make Oahu look worthy of how much taxes we’re paying here.

4. Someone needs to do something about the plight of Native Hawaiians.

The greatest tragedy of all is that Hawaii has become a state of haves and have-nots, and Native Hawaiians are increasingly suffering from some of the most disastrous effects of the pandemic and ongoing economic instability. These are their islands, but Native Hawaiians are getting priced out and run off by foreign real estate investors, poor local housing policy and a lack of upward mobility.

I wish Native Hawaiians would universally realize that their government has failed them and that they would vote as a unified bloc to install in office people who will actually work for them, rather than just give them lip service. In particular, we need to increase Native Hawaiian home ownership – not just lower rent – and help give them the tools to be financially stable in these unstable times.

5. Local “Christian” churches need to focus more on providing for the community’s needs and improving the lives of the people in their neighborhoods.

Uh-oh. My biggest Christmas wish of all has to do with the people entrusted with carrying on the legacy of the person for whom this holiday is named. Churches have become too focused on mobilizing members to oppose certain policies or support certain political candidates and have forgotten the command to love one’s neighbor and to do good deeds as the best form of evangelism.

I’ve attended many churches here on Oahu, and I’m disappointed to say that many have become glorified magic shows for donations fueled by false prophecies rather than a care stop for people who are hurting or a launch pad for community help. Hawaii needs people who sincerely care about each other and who act charitably toward one another.

When bad things happen, good people are supposed to rise up to feed, clothe, and comfort those suffering. Forget about spreading theories about the “Mark of the Beast” in Hawaii; Christians instead need to make a mark on the hearts of their neighbors again by showing compassion in these dark times. Imagine if we evangelized for Christ as much as we electioneered for some candidates.

In the meantime, I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas this week, and be safe out there.