How to Submit Testimony

Legislation is decided by those who speak out and show up.

Submitting testimony on legislation is crucial. It allows citizens to influence the lawmaking process directly by voicing their opinions, sharing their experiences, and offering their expertise to lawmakers. You can use your knowledge and experience to help shape the outcome of proposed laws. By participating in the legislative process and providing your testimony, you can actively shape our government and strengthen democratic principles. 

Click here to learn who your representatives are and who currently holds office on the local, State, and federal levels.

Submit testimony for Hawaiʻi County (a.k.a. the Big Island)

Meetings of county agencies and commissions are public information and visible on this calendar. You can sign up for email notification of upcoming meetings. Every meeitng includes an agenda with instructions on how to submit testimony and how to attend physically. The County Council and some commissions allow attendance online and publish these links in their agenda.

Here are some tips for testifying to the County and County commissions:

1. Start by addressing the Chair and thanking them for the opportunity to testify.

2. Identify the specific agenda items you are addressing. (If you don’t tie your testimony to the relevant agenda, it may be ignored.)

3. State your position or request at the beginning of your testimony.

4. Keep your testimony short and to the point, although it is helpful to include specific examples that support your position.

5. You don’t need to submit written testimony in advance, but it’s a good practice, especially if you have a lot to say. When you appear in person, you can highlight specific points from your written submission. For an example, here is testimony that KIND submitted on 7/16/2025 to the Hawaii Police Commission regarding the election of Hawai’i County new Police Chief.

6. Conclude by restating your position or request and thanking the group for their consideration.

7. Be prepared to answer questions from committee members.

Submit testimony for the Hawaiʻi State Legislature

1. Go to https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/account/login.aspx

2. Log In. If you are not registered, click REGISTER.

3. Click [Submit Testimony]

4. Enter Bill or Measure. Click Continue.

5. Click Support /Oppose

6. Submit testimony in your own words, or copy and paste recommended language.

7. Click Submit

Write to your Representative and Senators

All members of Congress and the Senate should respond to mail from their own constituents, but they will ignore mail from others. A staffer will read the mail as quickly as possible and add you to a list of yes or no for a particular bill. So make the subject line of your email unambiguous. such as Vote No on the OBBBA.