Finally, there's movement toward public financing of political campaigns, with the Big Island County Council taking the first step.

The council last week voted 7-2 for a resolution favoring a system that would enable candidates using only public funds to compete viably with those who take private campaign donations.

Those seven members deserve applause for their willingness to venture where others fear to tread. Unfortunately, that vote of confidence is not enough to make it so.

State elections laws govern the way county councils are elected, so a bill will need to be passed in the Legislature to move the project forward.

The vehicle best suited for this purpose is House Bill 661. It was written to offer the public-financing option in all county elections, but the advocacy organization Voter Owned Hawai'i is proposing language to make it a Big Island-only initiative.

That group, also known by its original name of Clean Elections Hawai'i, has worked for eight years pressing for this change before the winds — a light breeze, at least — turned in their favor. Politicians have resisted the concept, raising concerns about its cost.

In recent days the group's volunteers have been doing the math and figure there's more than enough money in the Hawai'i Election Campaign Fund to cover a Big Island County Council race, even if every seat is contested.

This, then, seems to be the year to take the plunge.

Other states have gone through several election cycles with a similar system, in which candidates can tap enough public funds to match private money being spent by a rival candidate.

In these states — Maine, Arizona, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico and Vermont — the system has increased participation in local politics. And when elections are less dependent on special-interest donations, voters can have more faith that their leaders will put public needs first.

Judging by the degree of scandal stemming from illicit campaign donations that has tainted elections here, Hawai'i could benefit from having some faith restored.

State lawmakers should take their cue from the Big Island County Council and let the great experiment begin here.