Defend Hawaii Update| Support SB2054

Over the past months, many of you have been actively involved in our Defend Hawaii efforts here in Hawaii. Through our activism packet, we've provided talking points, template letters, testimony guides, and contact lists to help rally support for legislation that protects the Hawaii National Guard from unauthorized federal deployments. The goal is to reaffirm Hawaii's constitutional authority over its militia, prioritize our Guard for local needs like disaster response, require proper congressional authorization for federal call-ups, and ensure gubernatorial and legislative oversight to prevent misuse in overseas conflicts or domestic overreach.

We were proud to collaborate closely with House and Senate teams in developing and refining an initial version of what we called the Defend Hawaii Act. That draft was comprehensive: It included strong definitions, strict limits on releasing Guard members to federal active duty combat without a congressional declaration of war or explicit constitutional call-up (for invasion, insurrection, or executing union laws), mandatory governor consent with legislative consultation, 48-hour notifications to the Legislature, oversight powers, reporting requirements, and even directives for enforcement including potential legal challenges. While our preferred original proposal didn't advance exactly as drafted, we're encouraged by recent developments.

Defend Hawaii Update| Support SB2054

A related bill, SB2054, was introduced on January 21, 2026, opening day of the legislative session. Sponsored by eight Democratic senators, it amends Hawaii Revised Statutes §121-30 to prohibit Hawaii National Guard units (when under state control or Title 32 duty) from assisting, cooperating with, or providing resources to federal troops, federal law enforcement, or out-of-state National Guard forces deployed in Hawaii if the Governor objects to those deployments. There's also a practical carve-out for cases required by federal or state law. It's narrower and more procedural than our initial proposal, without broad restrictions on Title 10 federal deployments, no new legislative review mechanisms, and no extensive definitions—but it still advances the core principle of greater state control over how our Guard interacts with federal forces on Hawaii soil.

This is a meaningful step in the right direction! It empowers the Governor to block unwanted in-state federal cooperation without directly challenging federalization for out-of-state missions. We believe this evolved version is a pragmatic win that could pass in the current session, especially given its bipartisan-leaning sponsorship in a Democratic-majority legislature and its focus on public safety/gubernatorial authority. 

Take Action

It's already passed First Reading and been referred to the PSM/EIG and JDC committees. There are no hearings scheduled yet, but early momentum matters.

Here's how you can help right now:

1. Read SB2054

   
   

2. Follow these simple instructions to speak up.

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