About Greg

"Every odd fellow has a place in society. This is my kuleana. What's yours?"

The Early Years

I was born in 1957. My dad worked for the Defense Department — we moved every two to four years. It was a good home — stable, loving, middle class. I never wanted for much. I might point at the TV and say I want that Tonka truck and there's a good chance I'd get it for Christmas. When I see poverty now, I realize how blessed I've been. It's easy to take life's blessings for granted.

My Father

My dad dropped out of high school at 17 to join the Navy in World War II, later served in the Army Air Corps. After the war, with his older brother's encouragement, he got his GED. He wasn't formally educated — but he knew how to think through a problem and he made sure I did too.

My Mother

Mom was usually home — fixed dinner, kept the house, loved us all. She helped me know that I am ok just the way I am. That I can be an odd fellow and still be ok.

Fairborn, Ohio — Class of '75

I grew up in Fairborn, Ohio, outside Dayton. I graduated high school early, August 1974, finishing my last credit in summer school. That class happened to be high school civics. First time I really understood how Congress works. Fifty years later I read the Constitution for the first time. (Nineteen pages including cover.) Read it yourself.

The Air Force and the GI Bill

At 17, I had a full-time job but no future in it. I enlisted in the Air Force in February 1975. Strategically — I wanted the GI Bill. Basic training was fine. Technical school was another matter. At 17 and 18, I wasn't ready for military life. I was a discipline problem. I received a general discharge under honorable conditions in December 1975. I did get the GI Bill.

Florida, a Mustang, and a Family

I came home to find my dad had kept my car waiting — a 1968 Mustang convertible we'd bought and restored together. He'd used that and other car projects to teach me how to think, how to work, how to see something through. I loaded up and drove to Florida to seek my fortune.

I got a job as an auto mechanic. I spent my days under wet cars in Florida weather. My dad had an indoor job and came home in clean clothes. I had a wife and a daughter. I needed to do better.

Back to Ohio — The GI Bill Pays Off

My mother said: come home, there's room. I moved my family into my parents' house in Fairborn, Ohio. A year and a half later I had an Associate's degree in Data Processing. My first marriage ended in February 1984. I remarried that December. One daughter from the first marriage, three sons from the second.

A Career in Computer Networking

That degree got me the indoor job I was looking for. I built a career in computer networking and communications in the Dayton area. Started my own business around 2001. Retired at the end of 2025. I draw Social Security now — $3,386 a month. The house is paid for. I can do this.

My Kids

My daughter is in her forties. She finished her bachelor's degree last year — to my knowledge, the first person in her family tree to earn one. I couldn't be more proud. My sons have various roles in the computer industry.

Coming to Hawaiʻi

I've lived in Ocean View on the Big Island since 2014. I'm not going anywhere.

Ocean View

Ocean View is not a resort town. It's a community of mostly working and retired people on the Big Island's south side, and I've been part of it for twelve years. I've volunteered with the Ocean View Community Association and continue to help with shower service at St. Jude's for our many community members without running water. Most Sunday mornings you'll find me at the highway wagging anti-Trump signs. I show up.

January 13, 2018

I was in the scullery washing dishes at the OV Community Association's monthly pancake breakfast when my phone lit up: ballistic missile inbound. I walked out to the kitchen to see if anyone else had gotten it. Nobody seemed alarmed yet — my phone was ahead of the others. My first thought wasn't panic. It was: which one of my nerdy sons just hacked my phone?

A minute or two later, everyone else's phones lit up too. What were you doing that Saturday morning?

📌 WEBMASTER NOTE: Greg has three sons, all in and around the technology field. Photos from the Ocean View Community Association and highway protests to be provided separately.

The Decision to Run

For over a year we'd been out on the highway in Ocean View every Sunday, 11 to noon, protesting growing fascism in America with my neighbors. Signs in hand. I frequently contacted my representative and both senators — email and phone. Nothing back from the senators. From Rep. Tokuda, I got a response.

It was a good letter. Substantive. She listed her actions. And in the very first sentence she wrote: "I hear the fear, anger, and urgency in your message, and I share it."

She was scared.

I'm not scared. If you're scared, get out of the way.

On March 5, 2026, I pulled my candidate papers. The deadline is June 2, 2026 — 25 valid signatures, $75, and a notarized ballot request. I will submit my paperwork in May.

📌 WEBMASTER NOTE: Rep. Tokuda's full letter (dated February 20, 2026) should be available as an expandable section or attachment near this passage. Direct readers to the opening sentence where the word 'fear' appears. Let voters draw their own conclusions.

The Letter That Started It All

On February 20, 2026, Rep. Jill Tokuda responded to Greg's message with the following letter. It was the catalyzing moment.

Greg's response: "She was scared. I'm not scared. If you're scared, get out of the way."

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