GaryHooser's Blog

How did I meet Claudette, and how did we end up making Kauaʻi our home?

And how and why in the world did I get into politics?

Funny you should ask. 😉

It was 46 years ago, on May 17, when I fell in love with and married a beautiful young South African woman by the name of Claudette Comrie.
 
We had met just months before in front of the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikīkī.

She was literally just getting off the bus coming from the airport on her first-ever trip to Hawaiʻi.
 
My occupation at the time was driving a pedicab, peddling tourists around, and in general acting as a local tour guide. It was early evening and I was waiting in front of the hotel, soliciting rides from the arriving travelers when she disembarked from the bus.

While her first response to my pedicab ride solicitation was an emphatic “no”, later when by chance I ran into her again and asked her a second time, she said, “maybe later.”

As the reader of this missive has by now figured out “later” came soon enough, my lovely South African bride-to-be climbed onto my humble pedicab, I took her on a tour of Waikīkī, we had a whirlwind romance, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Neither of us of course knew what the future would hold.
 
We had known each other for less than 6 months when we were married in South Africa at Durban’s Old Fort Chapel. We spent several months (and all of our money) backpacking around Southern Europe and Israel.

We were broke, unemployed, and in love – without a clue as to what was coming next.

I called a former employer, who then offered me a job managing the Fernandez Fun Factory in the Waipouli Shopping Center on the east side of Kauaʻi.

We rented a unit at the Pono Kai where I walked back and forth to work until that first paycheck allowed me to buy an old Buick.

Kauaʻi was now our home. Our children and our grandchildren would be born here. Ultimately, our ashes will be scattered here as well.

We were broke, but with a lot of hope.

A year or so later I started with a partner, Reef Cleaning and Maintenance, then came Bali Ha’i Realty and Waiʻoli Properties, and eventually a small publishing business “Kauaʻi Business and Real Estate Magazine” and “Kauaʻi Magazine”.

I learned from the diverse experiences, and grew personally and professionally.

Claudette got a job working the front desk at Pono Kai and eventually with United Airlines in Līhuʻe.

I developed a love for writing and in the early 1990’s penned a missive entitled “I don’t want to be Donald Trump Anymore.”

I’m not making this stuff up. I was in the real estate business and Donald Trump was a real estate tycoon who had written “The Art Of The Deal”.

Claudette and I were able to purchase our first home (a “no money down” fixer-upper), we drove a nice car (Jeep Cherokee), and had two beautiful children (a boy and a girl).

I found myself thinking, I don’t need a bigger house or nicer car.

I was comfortable, happy, but still seeking greater challenges. I still had bills to pay on the 1st and the 15th like everyone else, but no longer yearned to chase the almighty dollar.

Don’t get me wrong, I was raised on Norman Vincent Peale and “The power of positive thinking.”

I believed then, as I believe now, that each of us has unlimited potential and we can reach whatever goal we set our sights on.

Claudette and I have traveled the world and experienced places and events many only read and dream about. My work in public service has been incredibly fulfilling and I know Claudette greatly enjoyed the career she chose with United Airlines (and has since retired from).

There’ve been very high peaks, deep valleys, and occasionally times of great stress, but the journey has been truly extraordinary.

We look now towards the coming day, the journey ahead, the accomplishments yet to be achieved, and the mysteries yet to be revealed.

Imua!

If the health of our community is measured in terms of “faith and confidence in government” – we have a serious illness in need of immediate attention.

Only 271,345 people or 24% of eligible voters, actually voted in the 2024 Hawaiʻi primary election – the lowest turnout in the state’s 65-year existence. (Office of Elections, U.S. Census, Civil Beat)
 
It gets worse: 568,273 registered voters actually received ballots in the mail, but couldn’t be bothered to open the envelope, place a mark next to their preferred candidates, and walk it out to the mail box.

Clearly the “body politic” is sick.

People are sick and tired of government corruption, legislators taking bribes, “pay to play” campaign spending abuse, SuperPacs spending millions in “dark money”, and a political culture driven by the almighty dollar.

76% of our friends and neighbors are saying, “Why bother to vote at all?”

Blaming the politician is an easy way out.

The truth is, it’s our own damn fault.

Too many of us aren’t willing to take ownership of our core responsibility as citizens.

We are too busy for “civic engagement”. We don’t have time to go to meetings, to make the calls, send the emails, or help candidates.

We have bills to pay, jobs we must show up for, grass to cut, shopping to do, and family and friends to care for.

But somehow we gotta make the time.

It’s not going to get better and our democracy will not get healthier, until we make that extra effort to pay more attention, be more involved, and take ownership of our own local government.

We can beat the big money AND we can create the government we need and deserve. But to get there, we must show up.

This means attending public hearings, sending in testimony, making the phone calls to our elected officials, and VOTING.

It also means making small dollar donations, actively helping candidates who share our values, AND possibly running for office ourselves.

There is a cure for our illness and it is us.

You and me.

We’re all in this together and together we must take action to build the healthy democracy we deserve.

Let’s start the process now.

Let’s each of us take the time TODAY to call our Governor, Dr. Green – (808) 586-0034.
Or email him using his official form.

Dr. Green has the power, literally with the stroke of a pen – to call the legislature into special session at any time.

Calling a special session even for just a few days, would ensure the necessary time is available to pass strong good-governance and anti-corruption legislation into law – THIS YEAR.

There are bills on the table at this very moment addressing directly the “pay to play” culture of corruption that now exists in that big square building on Beretania Street. But those bills have been sidelined and as far as the 2026 regular session is concerned – are now dead.

There are bills that would stop the “two tickets” to a fundraiser charade (IYKYK) – also that have died from neglect.

Also sitting in the darkness of some conference room on the 4th floor are bills that would make “failure to report bribery” a crime for elected officials who witness or have knowledge of such conduct – and choose to just look the other way.

The kicker, the plum, and the cherry on top – would be passage of a strong SB2471 – stripping the power and influence from corporate SuperPacs and “Citizens United”.

With the stroke of a pen, a few phone calls, and a meeting or two among those at the top of the political food chain – our Governor could make this happen.

If he truly wanted to, he could ensure the passage of these 4 measures and significantly heal the civic sickness, distrust, and cynicism that currently envelops the entire culture of government and politics in Hawaiʻi.

Waiting still yet another year, for another legislative session, to do a repeat of what’s happened every year for the past few years, is unacceptable.

Please. Today. Right now.

Call Governor Green (808) 586-0034 and leave him a short message. And/Or email his office using this official form.

Ask him to exercise the leadership needed to restore the health of our government.

Ask him to call for a special legislative session, bring to the table those key policy-makers in the House and Senate, and pass those bills now sitting in the darkness that will:

1) Stop “pay to play” campaign donations made by government contractors, family members, friends, and board members.

2) Eliminate the “two tickets to a fundraiser” scam that allows legislators to channel donor funds between themselves and bypass donation limits.

3) Make it illegal for elected officials to witness government bribery and just look the other way.

AND ask him to sign into law SB2471 that will eliminate corporate SuperPac “dark money” made possible in the past by “Citizens United”.

When you call, please be polite, professional and concise. When leaving a message, make sure you also leave your name and zip code.

If you call and no one answers and perhaps there’s not even an answering machine, please call back and keep calling back until you are at least able to leave a voicemail message.

Please. Make the call 808-586-0034 or send the official email form.

Your action is the key to restoring the health of our government.

Gary Hooser

P.S. PLEASE SHARE! Time is of the essence, the longer it takes to call a special session, the less likely it is to happen..

The vote on electing a PRP SuperPac Board Member and attorney – to be Chief Justice for the State of Hawaiʻi for the next 10 years – passed a Senate floor vote with 20 yes votes and 5 no votes.

Mahalo to Senator(s) Fukunaga, Inouye, Kidani, Rhoads, San Buenaventura – who vote NO.

A special mahalo to Senator San Buenaventura who stood up on the Senate floor and spoke with clarity on why she could not support the nominee. Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair of the Judiciary Committee also deserves an enthusiastic shout out for speaking and voting from the heart during the committee hearing.

My hope of course is that Chief Justice Vladimir Devens will prove us wrong AND that he will in fact be able to set aside whatever internal bias he might have AND he will make decisions free from the influence of his former SuperPac colleagues and associates.

Time will tell, many will be watching, and I wish him well as he embarks upon this new journey.

The closing days of the legislative session are upon us.

Unfortunately the community push to pass legislation stopping “pay to play” campaign spending corruption fell short, as did bills intending to stop the “two tickets” to a fundraiser charade (IYKYK).

Legislators also chose to kill a measure that would have made it a crime for any elected official who witnesses or has knowledge of bribery at the Capitol – and who fails to report it.

The amount of State taxpayer funds for MACRO (military/weapons development PR, kindergarten – 12 defense industry jobs pipeline) that remain in the budget I do not know but am making the appropriate inquiries.

The good news is the nationally recognized measure to restrict “Citizens United” SB2471, passed and will soon be heading to Governor Greens desk. What his intent is, to sign into law or veto…no one knows.

The other great news is the “partial public funding of elections” measure also passed, significantly improving the public funding system now in place. While it falls far short of “full public funding of elections” the strengthening of the existing program should be celebrated.

Kudo’s to the Clean Elections folks who’ve worked really hard on this.

Yes, this is what democracy looks like.

I wish it looked better and hope and expect that it will get better.

But of course: “Life’s not about expecting, hoping and wishing. It’s about doing, being and becoming.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

So…WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW?

What is the strategy to truly win against the big money, the greed, and the corporatist mentality that controls so many of the decisions made in that big square building on Beretania Street?

I’m thinking we need to pivot quickly towards the primary elections. We need to reach out to support and invigorate those candidates that are true change-makers.

So today I’m going to dig deep and make a $100 contribution to Nani Brown who’s running for the seat currently held by Senator Donovan Dela Cruz.

Can she win against the most powerful legislator in the building who has $1,258,490 in the bank?

If anyone can beat Senator Dela Cruz it will be Nani Brown.

And it won’t be because she outspends him.

Nani Brown is the real deal. Her heart, soul, commitment to the community, character, work ethic, vivacious and contagious personality, make Nani Brown a force of nature – CHECK HER OUT AND HELP IF YOU CAN –

A victory for Nani Brown would rock the world as we know it.

That’s the kind of mood I’m in.

I’m in the Nani Brown mood.

We’re going to have to kick it up a notch or two and being in the Nani Brown mood will most definitely help us do that.

Please join me in helping her. No contribution is too small, and I am sure any amount will be appreciated. She is not accepting any corporate or PAC funding.

She didn’t ask for me to send this email and doesn’t know I’m doing it.

Let’s help her.

Gary Hooser

I will write a proper debrief and overview in the coming days but in short the vote on electing a PRP SuperPac attorney to be Chief Justice for the State of Hawaiʻi, for the next 10 years – passed a Senate floor vote with 20 yes votes and 5 no votes.

Ayes, 20.

Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Elefante, Ihara, Keohokalole, Lee, C., Moriwaki.

Noes, 5 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Inouye, Kidani, Rhoads, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none).

A special mahalo to Senator San Buenaventura who stood up on the Senate floor and spoke with clarity on why she could not support the nominee.

More info is here in the Civil Beat story – Hawaiʻi Senate Confirms Vladimir Devens As Chief Justice

Screenshot

MAKE THE CALL NOW! THIS MORNING Thursday April 30, BEFORE 10am and then SHARE!

If you have the time, watch the YouTube recording for a frank, direct, no holds barred, discussion on the rationale behind the calls that are needed THIS MORNING.

TODAY, this morning is the Hawaiʻi State Senate’s vote to confirm or not confirm Vladimir Devens for Chief justice of Hawaiʻi Supreme Court – for a 10 year term.

He neglected to disclose his relationship with a PRP connected Super Pac which spends millions to influence our elections, supporting their friends and shredding those candidates that do not support their big development agenda. If confirmed by the Senate this morning, he will be in charge of the highest court in our islands and the third branch of our government.

Please call and leave a message for your State Senator NOW – and ask them to vote NO (Bill # is GM 801)

Every island. Here is contact info.

READ Civil Beat Supreme Court Chief Justice Nominee Faces Tough Questions From Senators

Please call and leave a message for your State Senator THIS MORNING BEFORE 10AM and ask them to vote NO!

Bill # is GM 801

We discuss this in our Policy + Politics video/podcast here on YouTube and or on my FaceBook page here.

Yes, it’s last minute but the legislative session ends next week, everything is converging, and the need for citizen advocacy at this moment in time – is especially important.

So we should talk. Please join Aria Castillo and myself live on YouTube and on FaceBook – Tomorrow, Wednesday April 29, at 5pm for a frank, direct, no holds barred, discussion as to what’s going on.

We will be taking your questions and doing our best to update folks as to the current status of important bills, conference committee meetings, and various end of session shenanigans.

Whether it’s government corruption, campaign finance reform, fighting Citizens United, the ongoing battle to pass the budget, the military MICRO fiasco, the appointment of a former SuperPac executive to be the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court – etc etc etc…we will cover as much as we can AND provide NAMES AND CONTACT INFO of the KEY DECISION MAKERS —We will even make some of those calls live together to show everyone how easy it is.

If we have time, we’ll also talk story about the upcoming primary elections and highlight a few of the more interesting campaigns.

Tomorrow Wednesday April 29 at 5pm live on YouTube and on FaceBook – Policy + Politics with yours truly Gary Hooser AND Aria Juliet 

AND PLEASE HELP US OUT AND SHARE THIS WIDELY TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NETWORKS –

Let’s do this folks…the time is now.

To a large extent Big Money controls who wins and who loses election to public office, and thus Big Money controls our government.

Whether it’s criminal bribery, the legal corruption of “pay to play” campaign contributions, or the millions spent by SuperPacs – it’s totally obvious that Big Money is driving the ship.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

There are multiple bills on the table at this very moment that if passed into law would dramatically reduce the power and influence of Big Money.

Unfortunately, our legislators have already signaled they will pass nothing of any significance. They will nibble around the edges – but they will pass nothing that truly limits the corrupting influence of Big Money.

So yes…we need to reach out NOW, turn it up, and demand action and accountability.

Please make the calls, and send the emails – professional and courteously of course. Contact YOUR district Representative and Senator TODAY (prior to 6pm on Monday April 27) and demand they pass meaningful legislation to limit the power of Big Money – specifically:

1. SB2471 — End Corporate Right to Unlimited Political Spending (without carveouts)
2. HB1519/SB2530 — Close Pay-to-Play Loophole for Government Contractors (with no exemptions for Legislature)
3. SB1032 — End Foreign Corporate Influence In Elections
4. SB2737 – Makes failure to report bribery a crime for elected officials.

Every elected official knows that Big Money can make or break their dreams and political aspirations.

They know also that an organized grassroots effort can do the same.

They learn quickly that keeping their head down and mouths shut is the key to survival. Avoiding tough/divisive (IOW important) votes and public discussion of controversial issues becomes automatic.

Good people, making fear-based decisions.

They look the other way when committee chairs kill bills in the darkness of night or insert funding without public disclosure, discussion, or oversight.

They shrug their shoulders and tell you: “There’s nothing I could do…” “The Chair decided to kill it…” “We ran out of time…” and/or “There’s no money.”

To be clear, there’s ALWAYS something they can do. They can speak out, pull back the curtain, and expose the chicanery.

A Committee Chair cannot kill or pass legislation without the majority of the committee’s active or passive consent. By sitting quietly, heads down and saying nothing, committee members are in fact, supporting the Chair’s action.

If there’s a true desire to pass a bill, there are myriad ways to overcome the “running-out-of-time” issue, schedule a hearing, amend a bill, or find a “vehicle” to carry the legislation forward.

And when they say there’s no money, what they’re really saying is it’s not a priority. The “money chairs” will find the money if the issue/action is one they support.

It’s time we elect people who share our values and who aren’t afraid to stand up against Big Money.

We need courage, commitment, and ACTION from our legislators.

Just being “cool”, calling yourself a progressive, framing your message in “Aloha ʻĀina”, or being part of an underserved community, is not enough.

We need more than that. MUCH more.

We need leaders in that big square building on Beretania Street willing to speak truth to power, and demand of their colleagues the democracy, open process, and sunshine we the people deserve.

We need BOLD, proactive progressives, deeply rooted in community, who will go to the damn wall for people and the planet.

The candidates we need are out there. They’re teaching in classrooms, working in law offices, running small businesses, coaching youth sports, and involved in non-profit advocacy.

All of course are imperfect, and no single person is going to lead us to the promised land.

But every addition to a “people and the planet first” coalition at the legislature, strengthens the character and courage of those already there.

We can beat Big Money.

Direct face-to-face voter contact by hard working candidates with roots in the district will win against Big Money.

If a candidate is willing to knock on doors in the neighborhood, and if you and I are willing to take the time to help them, AND to make our small dollar donations – WE CAN WIN against Big Money.

It’s time we take our democracy, BACK.

Will you join in helping to make this happen?

If so, please make those calls and send those emails TODAY. Your message can be short and simple. “I’m calling to ask you to do the right thing and pass strong versions of SB2471, HB1519/SB2530, SB1032 and SB2737, that push back hard against Big Money, Bribery, and Pay to Play. Whether you are on the committee or not, you have a voice and I’m asking you to use it, and use it publicly – NOW. The courtesy of a reply is appreciated.”

Signed – A constituent who lives in your district and is oh so tired of Big Money and fear-based decision making.

Did your telephone call and email to WAM on the MACRO issue make a difference?

I think so.

Actually I know so.

Mahalo plenty to each and every one of you for taking the time to show up, make the calls, send the emails, and share/like the blog/FB posts.

Many of you posted follow-up comments about the response your phone calls to WAM members generated. It seems clear that most of the staff who took the calls, and their bosses, were not aware that the State budget was funding MACRO.

But of course now they are. Because YOU took the time to call, this issue has been dragged from the shadows into the SUNSHINE.

The MACRO issue was in fact raised out loud in the HB1800 state budget WAM meeting.

In fact, this was the ONLY issue raised by committee members.

For 13 seconds or so it seemed this important topic might actually be discussed in public at a public meeting (as required by the State Constitution) when several members of the committee said on record, “What about MACRO?” and “ MACRO, all the emails we have been getting!”.

The Chair quickly shut this conversation down, called a recess, turned off the cameras and sound, and consulted privately (secretly) with the members.

Sorry about the acronyms.

The State Senate committee on Ways and Means (WAM), manages issues related to the state budget (HB1800).

The Hawaiʻi Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO) is a state office/agency funded with $8 million from the U.S. Department of Defense/War. MACRO’s mission/purpose is focused on PR efforts intended to manage “public sentiment” in support of expanding the military footprint and weapons manufacturing industry in Hawaiʻi.

MACRO also seeks access to public school students in grades K-12 as part of their efforts to fill the “jobs pipeline”required by the planned military expansion.

WAM/MACRO issue very brief – MACRO was entirely funded by the federal government until recently when state funding was quietly channeled to them via the State budget.

The community (you) first became aware of MACRO’s efforts to seek state funding two months ago via SB3240 that sought $1.3 million. The word got out, testimony flowed in, people showed up, and the House Public Safety Committee heard you loud and clear – and killed the bill.

Then it was discovered that in addition to the $8 million in federal funding, PLUS the requested $1.3 million state taxpayer funds contained in SB3240, the Hawaiʻi state budget ALREADY included “$650,000 in both fiscal years for the Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO)” – Maui Now, March 6, 2025.

According to reliable sources, these funds were “inserted” (without any public notice or discussion) into the State budget by the House during the 2025 legislative session.

Thus the purpose of the community calls/emails was to inform WAM committee members that using state taxpayer funds to pay for federal department of defense PR efforts is not ok, AND the great majority of us are vehemently opposed to the plan as reported in the Honolulu StarAdvertiser, “Military wants Hawaiʻi to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing”

Seriously, “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, And It’s Sickening”.

While it is remains unclear what exactly happened during the secret, “off the public record” (and unconstitutional), portion of the WAM meeting held on April 8th – it’s absolutely clear that legislators are NOW far more aware AND more sensitive to the issues surrounding MACRO and the future of weapons manufacturing in Hawaiʻi.

In short, our growing effort to pull back the curtain is working.

The telephone calls and emails are making a difference.

Let’s double-down, and share the message far and wide.

No state taxpayer dollars should go to support MACRO.

The federal governments mission of making Hawaiʻi the center of weapons manufacturing in the Pacific – is unacceptable.

Stop this insanity and instead build a future we can be proud of.

Aloha,

The rain just keeps coming. 
Fortunately, my ʻohana in Wailua Homesteads on Kauaʻi has escaped major damage, but the recent and ongoing storms have hit some of our friends and neighbors pretty hard.

Seems a metaphor for the planet right now.

We can all feel it. Some are being devastated and losing everything. For others it’s just breaking news, a minor inconvenience that interrupts our normal, safe, and comfortable routine – but not really a big deal at all.

And yes, we must take care of our own home first, but we must reach out also to help our neighbors.

Whether they live down the street, on another island, or across the globe – we are all in this together. And like “the star fish story” — as individuals we may not be able to save or help everyone, but working together we can make a huge difference in the lives of some, perhaps many – maybe even all.

We’re all in this together and we all gotta help each other.

Sounds corny, but it’s the answer.

Those with more, gotta help more – but we all gotta do what we can.

When we unite in purpose and effort, when we show up together – we can improve the lives of every single star fish on that beach.

I’ve spent the past 30 years of my life working in the area of policy and politics.

My experience includes serving as a Hawaiʻi State Senator, a Council Member, and Director of the State Office of Environmental Quality Control OEQC).

I also served as Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and been involved with and helped start nonprofit advocacy organizations, with the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) being the most notable.

Prior to politics, I was in small business, direct sales, construction, truck driver, dishwasher, and paper boy. In 1979 I was driving a pedicab in Waikiki. Actually, if you are interested – It All Started In Weedpatch. 

At this particular moment in time, I’m just me. I hold no official or formal affiliation with any organization. Lots of friends, allies and extended ʻohana but my work and actions are driven, managed, and supported by just me – yours truly.

Yes, I get help from good hearted and talented people, who assist in many ways. And yes, occasionally I’ll receive a surprise gift in my Venmo account that I immediately regift to others in support of upgrading my technical capacity.

But basically I’m just a tūtū man, living in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, seeking to seize the moment, speak truth to power, make good trouble, and help make our world a better place.

I write my weekly garyhooser.blog, TGI column, send my email, and post on social media – to share what I’ve learned over the years and help others who also have that burning desire to make a positive difference in the world around us.

If you want to help – please share with friends my Blog and FaceBook posts you deem worthy. – “likes and shares” help drive FB algorithms and increase visibility. If you’re not already on my list, please consider subscribing at http://www.garyhooser.com

Thinking globally and acting locally is fundamental.

What I truly need to ask of you today is to “up your game” ;-).

If you’re already active in the world of political advocacy, I ask that you show up both virtually, and in person – even more.

If you are not actively involved now, I ask that you move past the doom scrolling and giving advice from the sidelines. Please take that next step and actually submit testimony, make the calls, and send those emails.

Thank you so much for caring.
I know you would not have read this far if you didn’t care.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser

In case you’re interested here are three things I’ve written recently that have resonated with many –

Is WAM meeting in secret on MACRO issue in violation of the State Constitution?

No Room At The Inn

Shajareh Tayyebeh, Say The Name

I’d like to invite – no, I’d like to BEG attorneys, law students, and constitutional scholars to tell me I’m wrong about this – or not.

See for yourselves; it’s all on video.

The April 8th public meeting regarding HB1800, the state budget bill, begins at the :24:17 mark.

At :25:01, Senate Ways and Means (WAM) chair Donovan Dela Cruz says, “The recommendation is to pass with amendments. Any discussion?”

Six seconds later, a committee member says, “The MACRO issue… the one we’ve been getting emails on…”

Another committee member responds, “Oh, yeah, the MACRO issue!”

The Chair says, “Okay, recess.”

And suddenly everything STOPS.

For 13 seconds, “the MACRO issue” is seemingly on the table for public discussion.

Then? Nothing but silence and a blank screen.

***
Exactly what was discussed during the 55-second private conversation between Chairman Dela Cruz and committee members?

We’ll never know.

At :26:15 Chairman Dela Cruz reconvened the public meeting. The image and sound came back online.

He reviewed the budget, recommended passing HB1800 with amendments, and called for the vote, which was unanimous in support.

There was NO mention of MACRO.

Not one committee member asked any further questions about MACRO or said anything at all about its impact on the budget.

No member said anything, about anything.

At :43:45, the meeting was adjourned.

Incidentally, in the days before this hearing, the public had been calling and emailing WAM committee members incessantly, sharing opposition and concerns about the funding of MACRO operations.

Article III, Section 12, Paragraph 3 of the Hawaii Constitution states: “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

The facts are indisputable:

1) On April 8th, the WAM committee held a meeting for the purpose of making decisions on matters referred to it.
2) During that meeting, the committee Chair excluded the public by calling a recess.
3) During that recess, committee members and Chair discussed in private the topic of MACRO (a state office/agency) and potential budget decision-making implications.
4) When the meeting was reconvened, the Chair publicly announced the decisions made. However, all conversations around MACRO, and the actual process of decision-making for the entire budget, were held in discussions that were NOT open to the public.

Incidentally, a previous “public decision-making” meeting was held by WAM on March 3rd for SB3240, a bill that ALSO contains MACRO and potential state budget implications.

Like the decision-making for HB1800, the entire decision-making for SB3240 was conducted in private.

Watch this bill fly through on YouTube (at the :24:52 mark), after the Chair says, “The recommendation is to pass unamended. Any discussion?”

There was NO discussion; there were no questions. The committee members were again, totally silent.

The vote was called with all 12 committee members present voting in support of SB3240.

How is it possible to make a decision without any discussion?

Is the Chair a mindreader? Had every committee member already decided how to vote on this bill before the meeting started – without ever meeting with the Chair or other members to discuss it?

Of course not.

Before the public meeting, the Chair HAD to have discussed various options in private conversations (in-person or virtual) with committee members.

And then, at the public meeting, he announced the decision made in those private discussions — in clear violation of our State Constitution.

Though this matter is similar to that being litigated by eight citizen plaintiffs in Acasio v. House of Representatives, there are important distinctions.

In the Acasio case, the House Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure met and made decisions without any public meetings whatsoever, not even fake ones.

In both SB3240 and HB1800, however, WAM went through the charade of holding a public meeting — but every single word of the committee’s actual decision-making discussions occurred behind closed doors.

Why must regular citizens be forced to go to court just to make our lawmakers follow the Constitution?

Why are our lawmakers breaking the law???

Please join me in supporting the eight citizen plaintiffs in Acasio v. House of Representatives – and give to their GoFundMe account as a way of saying THANK YOU for representing all of us in our ongoing quest for sunshine and accountability.

Gary Hooser