The newly elected state Legislature has had a few days to celebrate successful campaigns. Especially for this session's large freshman class of lawmakers, the reality of the job ahead takes a little time to digest, and a party or two is needed.

OK, time's up. Party's over. Some reflection on what voters expect would be useful right about now. Opening day's around the bend, and the newcomers — filling 15 out of a total of 76 slots in the Capitol — can still leave a deep impression.

First, the down side of having such a crowd of new faces: There's a steep learning curve. Many seasoned lawmakers say a lot of time in their first session was spent on acclimating to the process.

This makes it critical for the legislative veterans, in organizational meetings over the next few weeks, to assign their most experienced members to top public priorities — affordable housing and energy development among these — so that momentum is not lost.

The freshmen may not get the top committee assignments, but they should shoulder their share of the burden, too. For example: Michael Kahikina, who chaired the housing committee in the House, lost to Republican Karen Awana. As her Leeward district is among those most affected by the affordable housing and homelessness crisis, Awana needs to make sure her constituents' voices are heard.

That brings us to the up side of legislative newcomers: They can inject the lawmaking process with fresh ideas and a needed dose of determination and energy. These qualities, which have to be present in large measure in a successful first-time campaign, tend to be eroded after years of the rough-and-tumble political experience.

The newcomers have had to get up close and personal with their district voters to get this far. Those voters must insist that they keep those ties strong throughout the first term before rewarding them with a second. Chances are they won't be headliners on the major initiatives this session, but voters need and appreciate an advocate who knows every school and neighborhood and stays connected.

Finally: The Legislature needs to do better at including the ideas of the minority party, whose presence has further diminished with this election. Hawai'i Democrat lawmakers, unlike their Washington counterparts, are quite accustomed to being in charge. Perhaps Isle politicians should remember that national policymaking was diminished by one-party rule, and work to counter a similar effect on local government.