GaryHooser's Blog

Both literally and figuratively, we wait daily for the next bomb to drop.

The United States government is like a demented circus show, providing live, onstage, non-stop world entertainment with dark and deadly consequences.

The President, without question, has crossed over from predictably unpredictable to maniacal madman.

He’s surrounded by enablers who bend at the knee, kiss his ring, and thank him for his wisdom (and stock tips).

We have a Secretary of War who believes the job of the military is to “kill people and break things.” He believes that rules of engagement, compliant with international law and designed to prevent civilian deaths, war crimes, and the escalation of violence, are for weaklings and losers.

Under the guise of pragmatism, jobs, and economic development, our state leaders are rushing to capture the money that comes from selling one’s soul to the devil.

Please read “Military wants Hawaiʻi to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing” in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (and if you are interested in my thoughts, read “Can’t Make This Stuff Up, And It’s Sickening” at garyhooser.blog).

Owners and major shareholders of Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and General Dynamics are laughing all the way to the bank.

Every bomb dropped, and every missile fired, means more profits for arms manufacturers, and more jobs and more “economic development” in the towns, cities, and states where they are located.

Many at the top of the military, business, and government economic development food chain want to ensure that Hawaiʻi doesn’t miss out on all of that money.

Consequently, they insist that Hawaiʻi must become the center of Pacific arms manufacturing, so that local families can benefit financially from death and destruction, too.

Our state government has actually established an agency whose mission is to convince you this is a good thing. It’s called the Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO), and it’s part of the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

MACRO’s mission is basically that of a public relations office responsible for evaluating and managing “public sentiment” in support of U.S. military operations in Hawaiʻi, and supporting a pipeline of workers and small businesses for the defense industry.

Leadership at MACRO has stated publicly: “We are not recruiting for the military, and we do not work directly for the Department of Defense.”

However, MACRO’s top staff includes a U.S. Navy officer. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense has provided MACRO with over $8 million in start-up funding (via DEBDT).

According to DBEDT, MACRO’s mission and goals include…”implementing education and training programs aligned with defense industry needs… [and] train or engage at least 500 students statewide through STEM, Cyber, and Trades programs aligned with defense industry workforce needs.”

While we can parse the words, MACRO is clearly working in alignment to fulfill the needs of the Department of Defense. Clearly, a key part of its mission is to train/groom/recruit people for military and weapons manufacturing-related jobs.

In addition to the federal funding, Hawai’i’s state budget also 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” into the State budget by the House during the 2025 legislative session.

And just recently, via SB3240 and HB2235, MACRO sought another $1,300,000 for the same purposes. Fortunately, in my opinion, both bills died in the House.

My message today: We must honor and respect our men and women in uniform serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, but we also MUST resist the siren’s call of the money, jobs, and economic development that are promised with a buildup of military operations here in the islands.

We CAN do better. We can teach our children about the importance of mutual respect, negotiation, de-escalation and conflict resolution.

We can focus on diversifying our economy, starting with food and energy independence, healthcare, and education.

Please join me in reminding our government leaders that we live in a community grounded in the core values of aloha. We must honor those values, and resist selling out to the highest bidders.

There is no better day than TODAY to send a message to our leaders in State government, especially those who sit on the State Senate Ways and Means Committee (WAM).

My own message to them, is simple and straightforward. Please add, edit, embellish, or whatever – JUST SEND OUT AN EMAIL AND/OR MAKE THE TELEPHONE CALL!

“RE: With all due respect I ask that you say “NO” to the use of State taxpayer funds in support of MACRO, NO to spending our local tax dollars to support the expansion of the defense industry footprint in our islands, and NO to the twisted vision of Hawai’i becoming the center of weapons development in the Pacific.”

An email and/telephone call to all WAM members is needed NOW, today April 8th and this morning if possible.

sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov, senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii.gov, sendecoite@capitol.hawaii.gov, senelefante@capitol.hawaii.gov, senhashimoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, seninouye@capitol.hawaii.gov, senkanuha@capitol.hawaii.gov, senkidani@capitol.hawaii.gov, senkim@capitol.hawaii.gov, senlee@capitol.hawaii.gov, senrichards@capitol.hawaii.gov, senwakai@capitol.hawaii.gov, senfevella@capitol.hawaii.gov

Chair Senator Donovan Dela Cruz
808-586-6090
sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov

Vice Chair Senator Sharon Moriwaki
808-586-6740
senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Lynn Pualani DeCoite
808-587-7225
sendecoite@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Brandon Elefante
808-586-6230
senelefante@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Troy Hashimoto
808-586-7344
senhashimoto@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Lorraine R. Inouye
808-586-7335
seninouye@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha
808-586-9385
senkanuha@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Michelle Kidani
808-586-7100
senkidani@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Donna Kim
808-587-7200
senkim@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Chris Lee
808-587-8388
senlee@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Herbert M. “Tim” Richards
808-586-6760
senrichards@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Glenn Wakai
808-586-8585
senwakai@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Kurt Fevella
808-586-6360
senfevella@capitol.hawaii.gov

I’m not sure if you were able to make it or not, but the “No Dictators” gatherings held Saturday were an awesome example of our collective community “showing up”.

I went home that evening and wrote, “The key to winning is showing up.”

When we fill the room, we win.

In the 30 years I’ve been involved in government and politics, I’ve seen it happen over and over again.

When we fill the room — whether physically or virtually — WE WIN.

Your emails, phone calls, and testimony MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Your social media posts, and your likes and shares informing and encouraging friends to do the same, MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Our world is teetering on the edge.

So, I gotta ask you today to show up again and submit a single testimony and send off that email. Please. Now. Today. No later than the end of the day tomorrow March 31.

If only 10% of the people who showed up Saturday would submit testimony on HB1800 (the state budget) to the State Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Committee – it would without question make a difference.

Regardless of the island you call home, EVERYONE please take a moment and tell the Chair of WAM and Committee Members to support those areas of public life at the top of your priority list (education, healthcare, environmental protection etc) AND ask them also to support funding for good governance initiatives and publicly funded elections.

They may tell you “It’s too late” or “You missed the deadline”.

Please remind them that THEY MAKE THE RULES AND if needed THEY CAN CHANGE THE RULES – bills can be re-referred, the deadlines can be amended, and the session if necessary extended.

AND when they tell you there’s no money, what they’re really saying is that it’s not a priority.

Please also ask WAM committee members to oppose funding the State’s Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO). Though SB3240 and related bills were already soundly defeated, word on the street is that WAM will try to include funding for them in the state budget anyway.

Big Island Residents: Please also reach out to House Finance Chair Representative Chris Todd – 808-586-6200 reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Ask him to support a STRONG SB2530 that will end or dramatically reduce “pay to play” and the corruption that goes along with it.

Read this excellent Civil Beat Essay on the topic: The House Finance Committee Is Now Key To Pay-To-Play Reform By Aria Juliet Castillo

Let Rep. Todd know you are a resident of the Big Island and that you are counting on him to do the right thing.

Big Island folks, please step up a little bit more today and also contact House Judiciary Chair Representative David Tarnas 808-586-8510 reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov

Ask Rep Tarnas to schedule SB2471 which addresses the Citizens United SuperPac issue.

Please also ask Rep Tarnas to give members of the House an opportunity to vote Yay or Nay on SB2313 (comprehensive public funding of campaigns).

The funds are available for this long overdue election reform measure. The implementation can be phased in over time if needed. IF the legislature deems it a priority, comprehensive public funding of campaigns can become a reality. The Senate has already voted unanimously in support. The people deserve to know how their individual Representatives will vote, and not hide behind the cover of Rep. Tarnas.

If you’re a resident of the Big Island, your calls and emails to Rep. Tarnas and Rep. Todd – are hugely important. Please of course keep them courteous and professional.

When calling and emailing, please also consider including: “The courtesy of a reply stating your position on this issue would be greatly appreciated.”

Finally, last but certainly not least – I’m asking my friends on Kauai to reach out and send an email to our County Council in support of increased funding for our neighbors and family who are homeless, living in their cars, under bridges, at the beach, and along side the road.

A message sent to councilmembers@kauai.gov will go to ALL Councilmembers.

I’ve written more about the issue here on my blog: To Kauaʻi friends who care about the homeless and would like to do something to help.

PLEASE TO EVERYONE ON EVERY ISLAND – SUBMIT TESTIMONY TO WAM & BIG ISLAND RESIDENTS CONTACT REP. TODD AND REP. TARNAS & KAUAI RESIDENTS CONTACT ALL COUNCILMEMBERS

TODAY IF POSSIBLE
NO LATER THAN 6PM TOMORROW TUESDAY MARCH 31 – TESTIMONY, TELEPHONE, AND EMAIL!

When we fill the room, we win.

When we show up at the ballot box and vote, we win.

In the 30 years I’ve been involved in government and politics, I’ve seen it happen over and over again.

When we fill the room — whether physically or virtually — 9 times out of 10, WE WIN.

Your emails, phone calls, and testimony MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Your social media posts, and your likes and shares informing and encouraging friends to do the same, MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Our world is teetering on the edge.

It’s more important than ever before that we show up.

We must show up first in our own homes, neighborhoods, and communities, and prepare for the worst.

The war and destruction in Iran will only end when it literally burns itself out.

Any long-term disruption of oil production will impact overseas shipping, air transportation, and electricity generation and ground transportation.

What happens when the barges stop coming or are delayed, and when the oil and food stop arriving weekly?

As an island community, and in our own homes, we must prepare for that.

We prepare for the worst, hope and dream for the best, and plan and work relentlessly towards the future we need and deserve.

Our all-important primary election is August 8, with a candidate filing deadline of June 2.

We must identify and support candidates at ALL levels who are proactive and willing to stand up to the Trump regime in D.C.,and to the corporatist DINO appeasers here at home.

We must, with utmost urgency, address the issue of food and energy self-sufficiency NOW, at BOTH the County and State levels.

It is more important than ever before that we elect leaders who feel that urgency, and who are willing to work and fight for permanent affordable housing, a true living wage, healthcare for all, food and energy independence, AND exposing government corruption and ending the “pay to play”.

And we MUST confront the ugliest of all the elephants in the room.

“Military wants Hawaiʻi to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing.” The Honolulu Star-Advertiser headline says it all.

Add to this the U.S. Army’s threats to take over the lands at Pōhakuloa by force via eminent domain, and its refusal to complete an acceptable environmental impact state (EIS) as required by Hawaiʻi law HRS343.

Stir in the poisoning of water at Red Hill, and the uncountable acres of conservation lands throughout the islands that have been abused, contaminated, and desecrated.

Now we learn that Hegseth’s Department of War has partnered with the State DBEDT and funding PR companies to manage public sentiment and pave the way in Hawaiʻi for his war machine.

We must, of course, support and honor our men and women in uniform, and we must maintain a strong defense.

However, our goal must be PEACEMAKING, not warmongering.

According to numerous studies, the United States spends nearly a trillion dollars per year, and has the highest rate of military spending of any country in the world. China comes in a distant second place with an estimated $314 billion U.S. dollars spent, with Russia in third place at around $150 billion.

ENOUGH ALREADY.

We need a U.S. Department of Peace, not a Hegseth Department of War.

Food and energy independence, ending corruption and the influence of big money in politics, and a military industrial complex that is shrinking, not growing, in our islands. THIS is what we must show up for next.

Please send a message today (see contact info) to: Governor Green, our congressional delegation and your state legislators and councilmembers and tell them all …

ENOUGH ALREADY –

Thousands of community members from across the islands are expected to join the upcoming “No Dictators Rally and Gatherings” on Saturday March 28th to mobilize against the Trump administration’s escalating abuses of power.

(I believe the below info to be accurate however I encourage all to double check via social media or google)

Kauai
Eleele Bridge (11am -12pm)
Princeville Library (11am -12pm)
Lihue Rice Street (3pm-5pm)

Oahu
10:15 AM: Peace March begins from Thomas Square Park
11:00 AM: Rally at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol
12:30 PM: Singing in Resistance performance

Peace March: Thomas Square Park
925 Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814
No Dictators Rally: Hawaiʻi State Capitol/Father Damien Statue
415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813

Protest and Food Drive
Kapolei Regional Park
11am – 1pm HST
1077 Manawai St

Maui
March and Rally
2 to 6 p.m.
Queen Kaʻahumanu Center

Hawaii Island
Protest, Rally, Food Drive
11 to 1pm
Hilo Bayfront Beach Park

Kailua-Kona
4-5pm
Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy
South of Henry Street

Naalehu
12- 1:30pm
Ka’alaiki Road &
Mamalahoa Highway

Waikoloa
1 – 2pm
Sidewalk – Waikoloa Plaza

Waimea
10 – 11am
HWY 19 fronting
Ikua Purdy Monument

I’m guessing there are gatherings in Kona and other areas…but a quick search failed to show any?

Let’s send an email today that can really change lives
 
A few months ago, I wrote a column entitled “No Room At The Inn.”
 
Since writing that column, I haven’t slept well. At night, I lie awake thinking about that family living under the bridge, in the woods, in their car.
 
I spent hours on the phone recently trying to find a man and woman a place to sleep for the night. I got nothing.
 
I got nothing except disconnected numbers, voice mail, and messages from overworked social workers with good intentions, telling me to “have them come in and apply, but there’s nothing available at the moment.”
 
Since writing that column, I’ve spoken to dozens of nonprofit providers who serve the homeless community, and I’ve spoken at length with those who have “lived experience” actually being unhoused.
 
Here’s the truth: There is NO safe, dry, or legal place for an unhoused person on Kaua‘i to sleep, whether on the ground, in a tent, or in a car.
 
Yes, there are “women’s shelters” and “family houses” with a handful of rooms or beds, but normally there’s a long waiting list.
 
The upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Kaua‘i County Operating Budget is now under review by the Council.
 
The proposed budget includes $500,000 to fund qualified nonprofit organizations that submit grant applications for services, outreach, emergency shelters and related items for unhoused people.
 
The budget for these items for the previous year: $500,000.
 
The County actually received grant applications from various nonprofits totaling approximately $1.7 million. That’s $1.2 million more than was available in the budget.
 
Without question, there’s a critical lack of emergency beds, temporary shelters, direct outreach services, transitional support, and safe overnight parking zones.
 
Also without question: there are many qualified, experienced, and dedicated Kaua‘i nonprofits willing to step up and fill the need for those things, if funding was available to do so.
 
If the Kaua‘i County Council stepped up to the plate and amended its proposed budget from the current $500,000 to at least $1.5 million, it would have a direct and positive impact on the lives of so many people.
 
In December 2025 the Hawaiʻi County Council authorized $6 million in similar grants for its homeless programs/services. Additionally, the Council is auditing those grant awards to ensure the funds are well-spent.
 
One of the many continuing initiatives on the Big Island made possible by these funds: “Safe Zones,” overnight shelters in which 50 unhoused adults can sleep. Accommodations aren’t fancy: a cot under a large tent, with a toilet, a shower and one meal. They’re not campgrounds where people live 24/7.
 
Kaua‘i has NOTHING. If you should find yourself living in your car, police and others will inevitably tap your window in the middle of the night and tell you to move along.
 
But there’s nowhere for you to go.
 
An increase in grant-funding to qualified nonprofits that includes “Save Zones” as a priority item is a critical need that must be filled immediately.
 
Yes, we need permanent affordable housing. Yes, we need increased mental health services, addiction treatment, job training, and basic on-the-ground outreach.
 
But at the core — at ground level – is this simple, unavoidable truth: To even get a START at improving their lives, unhoused people need safe, legal places to sleep.
 
Please join me today in emailing our County Council (councilmembers@kauai.gov) and asking them to take action, increase the County budget for homeless services, safe zones, and facilities, and help our brothers and sisters living in their cars, in the bushes, and on the streets.
 
Let’s send an email today that can really change lives.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
808-652-4279

SB3240 is dead.

You, the regular citizen on the street, decided to get involved – YOU read the bill, YOU submitted testimony, YOU called and emailed the committee members directly, YOU shared the “action alerts” and “liked” the social media postings.

The Committee members and Chair Belatti heard you loud and clear and decided it was best to “defer SB3240” and essentially “kill the bill”.

Congratulations to each and every one of you that took the time, made the effort, and showed up (both virtually, via email, and in person).

To be absolutely clear, this was a very big win.

When we show up, we win. Please help again today if you can (see at the bottom).

You may be wondering, what’s the back story?

What is SB3240 all about and how is it related to HB2235? Who is MACRO and what is their mission and purpose? How does it all relate to Pōhakuloa and making Hawaiʻi “a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing”?

SB3240 was introduced by Senators: Carol Fukunaga and Stanley Chang.

A similar measure, HB2235 was introduced by Representatives: Della Belatti, Terez Amato, Sam Kong, Lisa Marten, Garner Shimizu, and Adrian Tam.

Both Bills were intended to provide $1.3 million in State funding to boost the defense industries local public relations effort, AND to support access to public school students K-12.

The money was to be channeled through the Hawaiʻi Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) into the budget of the attached Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO).

MACRO was established via a federal grant of $3.2 million in March 2024, one month before the U.S. Army’s proposed Pōhakuloa lease extension “second draft” Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) review period began on April 19, 2024.

MACRO’s mission is “To promote positive relationships between Hawai‘i’s military and civilian sectors…”.

Needless to say the Army’s EIS failed to gain the acceptance of both the “civilian” sector (aka community) and the State of Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR).

MACRO is now a member of the Governors Advisory Committee For Military Leased Lands which will be making recommendations on Pōhakuloa and other pending leases.

To achieve their goal of making Hawaiʻi’ “a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing”, the federal government then began shoveling more millions through the State DEBDT to MACRO who dutifully stepped up their game.

They generated more press releases, ghost wrote additional opeds, public testimony, community workdays, tv interviews, and school “careers days”, etc.

MACRO hired a PR company to use “automated data scraping tools to collect and analyze relevant public commentary from news sites, blogs, forums, and social media platforms to assess evolving sentiment toward military-related issues…”.

Convincing the Chair of the House Public Safety Committee Representative Della Belatti to kill SB3240 which was essentially the Senate version of HB2235 that she herself sponsored – represents a major win for our community.

Yes, we should thank Chair Belatti and committee members.

But to be absolutely clear, credit for this huge achievement goes to those hundreds of citizens who took the time to submit testimony, send off those emails, make the phone calls, like and share FB posts, Instagram reels etc etc etc.

When the House version…HB2235 was first “heard” on Feb. 6, Chair Belatti and every committee member voted in support, except Vice Chair Kim Coco Iwamoto who was the solitary No vote.

Kudo’s to Rep. Iwamoto!

HB2235 then sailed through the House Economic Development Committee under the guidance of Chair Representative Greggor Ilagan.

There was no testimony opposing HB2235 in either House committee.

Nothing. Zero. Nada. Radio silence.

Fortunately, Finance Chair Rep. Chris Todd chose not to schedule HB2235 for a hearing, thus killing it dead. He also deserves a big mahalo.

Meanwhile, SB3240 with similar language and purpose, was moving along without opposition until a single citizen submitted opposing testimony, AND most importantly started spreading the word about this “very bad bill”.

Unbelievably, prior to “crossing over to the House”, SB3240 passed through two Senate committees with unanimous votes, and on the Senate floor – 24 of 25 State Senators voted in support of (Senator Ihara was absent).

Really?

24 of 25 State Senators believed it was a good idea for the State to fund a defense industry cheerleading squad AND invite them to meet our k-12 graders?

Like wildfire the word then began to spread to civic minded advocates across the islands.

The testimony, email, phone calls, and social media awareness – grew to a point that could not be ignored and SB3240 was killed in the House Public Safety Committee, when Chair Belatti recommended deferral.

Mahalo to all who took the time, showed up, sent in testimony, called Representatives, and shared the message with family and friends – This huge win would not have happened without you.

What’s next?

I thought you would never ask 😉

URGENT – 2 (easy)actions that are needed NOW – ASAP

Just two telephone calls and two emails can make a huge difference. Please help.

Action Alert #1

Please call 808-586-8510 and email reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov and ask Representative David Tarnas Chair of the House Judiciary Committee professionally and politely to schedule SB2313 for a hearing by by tomorrow, Wednesday 03/25.

We need to go to the wall for SB2313 which “Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State, to begin with the 2028 general election year.”

If we are serious about campaign finance reform, this is it folks.

SB2313 provides the framework and contains the necessary safeguards to ensure qualified candidates can focus on the needs of regular working people, and not always be seeking big money contributions from special interests.

SB2313 has already passed unanimously in the State Senate. It must be scheduled soon in the House by Rep. Tarnas – or it will die.

PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL REPRESENTATIVE TARNAS TODAY!

*******************************************************************************
Action Alert #2

Please call 808-586-6130 and email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov and ask Senator Karl Rhoads Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee professionally and politely to schedule HB772 for a hearing by tomorrow, Wednesday 03/25.

HB772 is a critical piece of the “citizens good government agenda” and has zero impact on the State budget. HB772 if passed will stop what is sometimes described as the “two-tickets-for-a-fundraiser scam” – that presently allows legislators to transfer funds between their campaigns.

HB772 closes this loophole.

HB772 has already passed unanimously in the State House. It must be scheduled soon in the Senate – or it will die.

PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL SENATOR RHOADS TODAY!

Just two telephone calls and two emails can make a huge difference. Please help.

Action Alert #1

Please call 808-586-8510 and email reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov and ask Representative David Tarnas Chair of the House Judiciary Committee professionally and politely to schedule SB2313 for a hearing by this coming Wednesday.

We need to go to the wall for SB2313 which “Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State, to begin with the 2028 general election year.”

If we are serious about campaign finance reform, this is it folks.

SB2313 provides the framework and contains the necessary safeguards to ensure qualified candidates can focus on the needs of regular working people, and not always be seeking big money contributions from special interests.

SB2313 has already passed unanimously in the State Senate. It must be scheduled soon in the House by Rep. Tarnas – or it will die.

PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL REPRESENTATIVE TARNAS TODAY – by the end of tomorrow Tuesday at the very latest.

*******************************************************************************

Action Alert #2

Please call 808-586-6130 and email senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov and ask Senator Karl Rhoads Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee professionally and politely to schedule HB772 for a hearing by this coming Wednesday.

HB772 is a critical piece of the “citizens good government agenda” and has zero impact on the State budget. HB772 if passed will stop what is sometimes described as the “two-tickets-for-a-fundraiser scam” – that presently allows legislators to transfer funds between their campaigns.

HB772 closes this loophole.

HB772 has already passed unanimously in the State House. It must be scheduled soon in the Senate – or it will die.

PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL SENATOR RHOADS TODAY – by the end of tomorrow Tuesday at the very latest.

SB3240 Update…and yes…your help and action is needed again and NOW before the end of today, Tuesday March 17th so committee members know your position and thoughts before they vote tomorrow March 18th at 11:00am!

Update on what happened at the recent Monday hearing is below, but don’t just take my word for it. Read the Bill and the testimony yourself here:

With approximately 300 testimonies in opposition and less than 10 in support, the State House Committee on Public Safety has deferred decision-making on SB3240 until Wednesday, March 18, at 11:00am.

Testimony opposing the measure focused on three main points:

1) Why in the world is our State government contemplating spending $1.3 million of Hawai’i taxpayer funds to promote the Department of War and related industries? Why doesn’t the War Department use federal funding and federal agencies to provide their public relations, community building, and federal “workforce development” needs?

2) Hawai’i’s government needs to invest Hawai’i taxpayer funds in education, healthcare, affordable housing, food and energy independence, and true economic diversification — NOT in growing the defense industry, which already dominates the economy.

3) The military industrial complex should stay out of our schools and away from our kindergarten students. Hawai’i public schools should not be treated as a “pipeline for work-force development” necessary to grow the weapons manufacturing industry.

Testimony supporting passage of SB3240 was provided primarily by the Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce and the State of Hawai’i Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO).

Their primary points:

1) The military spends a lot of money on schools that serve both military dependents and local non-military dependent students.They support small businesses, and a variety of community projects.

2) The defense industry will continue to grow in Hawai’i, and they need young people to grow up to fill the job pipeline that’s being created, and they need local business to do the same.

The House Public Safety Committee listened intently to public testimony, asked a handful of questions, took a two-minute break, announced “decision-making” on a handful of other bills, then deferred SB3240 until Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00am.

There was a moment near the end of the hearing when Committee Chair Della Belatti seemed to imply that amending SB3240 by removing the word “kindergarten” might help assuage community concerns.

Amending SB3240 in some small way, and passing it forward, is probably what the Hawai’i Chamber of Commerce and the State of Hawai’i Military and Community Relations Office is hoping and lobbying hard for.

Per standard operating procedure in that big square building on Beretania Street, anything that “keeps the bill alive” is better than having it killed.

The supporters and stakeholders will then work in the secrecy of a future conference committee, get SB3240 “amended back” and passed into law.

Fortunately, Chair Belatti did not actually make that recommendation. Instead, she suggested a deferral until Wednesday to allow committee members to review the voluminous testimony, including those 300 pieces in opposition.

In the very first Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee hearing held on Feb. 11, SB3240 then traveling in stealth mode, attracted only a single testifier in opposition.

I still cannot believe that just two weeks ago, 24 of 25 State Senators voted on the Senate floor in support of SB3240 (Senator Ihara was absent). Not a single Senator offered objection, not even a wimpy but all-too-common “with reservations” vote.

My guess? Given the volume of bills before them, and given that SB3240 had mostly been flying under the radar, the majority of Senators were likely asleep on this bill, not properly informed as to its implications.

Absolutely without question, SB3240 impacts public schools and public school students. Yet this bill has not been scheduled nor heard in either the Education Committee of the House nor of the same committee in the Senate.

The Senate gave the public only a single day’s notice for SB3240’s first hearing. Perhaps that’s why there was so little testimony.

During the final Senate Ways and Means Committee’s “public decision-making” hearing, no new public testimony (oral or written) was allowed, and there was zero public discussion among committee members prior to the Chair announcing the committee decision.

Bottom line: SB3240 represents bad policy, bad process, and — in an election year — very bad politics.

My hope is that on March 18th, the House Committee on Public Safety will kill it dead. Gently and humanely, according to the United Nations rules of engagement — but kill it dead nonetheless.

Please help to send that message loud and clear, but polite and professionally – directly to each individual member of the House Public Safety Committee.

If you need more convincing read my blog piece Can’t make this stuff up. And it’s sickening

And yes, the calls and emails need to happen ASAP and before 11:00am on Wednesday March 18.

Mahalo to the 300 of you who submitted testimony opposing SB3240 – Need your help again!

Chair Rep. Della Belatti
808-586-9425
repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov

Vice Chair Kim Coco Iwamoto
808-586-8485
repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Mark Hashem
808-586-6510
rephashem@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Linda Ichiyama
808-586-6220
repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Dee Morikawa
808-586-6280
repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Mahina Poepoe
808-586-6790
reppoepoe@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Justin Woodson
808-586-6210
repwoodson@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Garner Shimizu
808-586-9470
repshimizu@capitol.hawaii.gov

Rep. Kanani Souza
808-586-8465
repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

Those girls attending Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school didn’t deserve to die.

It was just a regular school day. They were in their classrooms, doing what schoolgirls do, when their world exploded and their lives ended.

It happened on February 28, 2026.

While the news cycle for most has moved on, their parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, will feel the sorrow and the anger – forever.

In the blink of an eye, 167 innocent people, most of them children, were blown to smithereens.

There hasn’t been a single statement of regret from the President of the United States, nor from the Prime Minister of Israel.

Whether this murder of schoolchildren was intentional and premeditated, or whether it was an “accident” or collateral damage, these children would be alive today if not for the decisions made and actions taken by Trump and Netanyahu.

If there is, in fact, a hell, you may be certain both men will one day burn there.

The incomprehensible damage to people and the planet brought about by the actions of President Donald J. Trump and his enablers will take generations to quantify and understand, much less to heal.

Thousands are being radicalized. Inflamed by the slaughter of friends and family, their rage will soon focus on global terrorism, sabotage, and violent protest.

For Trump and those that feed off his actions, it’s all about the oil. At this very moment he is threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait ‌of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Meanwhile Iran is taking aim at Israeli nuclear sites AND has launched for the very first time, 4,000-kilometer-range ballistic missiles at the U.S.-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Lawrence Wilkerson, retired U.S. Army colonel and former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, said he believes Netanyahu is “ready to use a nuclear weapon”. (Democracy Now).

Trump has repeatedly spoke of raining even more death and destruction down upon Iran should they refuse to “surrender unconditionally”.

Tactical nuclear weapons designed for battlefield use, could be utilized by the U.S. and/or Israel and rationalized by those in power – who lust for even more.

That line will have been crossed, the curse cast, and the door opened to Iran or others who may respond with whatever nuclear devices they possess, or can steal, or purchase from others.

The authoritarian regime now in control of the U.S. will then declare martial law. Elections will be suspended, and democracy and life as we’ve known it for the past 250 years will end.

Those of us who believe we are all in this together, and that we can and must build and support a better world for ALL people, must unite in opposition, and we must take action NOW.

We must wear our opposition to Trump and everything he stands for on our sleeves, on signs in front of our homes, on bumper stickers, EVERYWHERE.

We must make those calls, send those emails, and show up at community meetings and public hearings, united in our message: NO to any further expansion of the military industrial complex.

Trump, Hegseth, Miller, Vance, Rubio, and the oligarchs that empower them and profit from their actions – must be STOPPED.

When the crunch comes, we must be willing to confront the Devil himself, and peacefully and lawfully take to the streets, exercise our freedom of speech, and risk arrest for civil disobedience if necessary.

We must exercise our power in ways big and small.

We must boycott businesses that support Trump and his madness.

And we must SHOW UP at a “No Dictators — No Kings” rally on Saturday, March 28th! Google for time and locations.

There’s almost no question that the mid-term elections will be sabotaged, canceled, or stolen. We must prepare for that as well.

We must help and support the election and reelection of our friends and allies serving at all levels in government, AND we will need a massive voter turnout to counter the inevitable claims of “voter fraud”.

So get ready.

Without exaggeration, everything is on the line.

We, the people, can – no, we MUST — do this.

Our democracy depends on it.

Gary Hooser

Former Hawaiʻi State Senator 

https://garyhooser.blog

¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!

Aloha,
Hope you’re staying dry and safe during this very wet and stormy day.

I’m writing this morning to let you know again about a very bad piece of legislation, SB3240 thats now been re-scheduled for a hearing on Monday morning, and ask you to please, please, please – join me in submitting OR re-submitting your testimony in opposition. PLEASE . Even very brief testimony is needed and helpful.

*Important note – SB3240 was originally scheduled for today, Friday 03/13 but because of the storm rescheduled now for Monday 03/16 – All testimony submitted for the 13th hearing MUST BE RESUBMITTED to be considered during the rescheduled hearing now on the 16th.

SB3240 proposes the use of State taxpayer funds (possibly $1.3 million) to pay for public relations, communications, and managing public sentiment with regards to the U.S. military operations in Hawaiʻi. SB3240 also supports bringing the defense industry messaging into the Hawaiʻi public school system under the guise of “workforce development”.

Needless to say, this needs to be stopped in its tracks (IMHO).

Below is the testimony I sent in – Please take the time today, and join me in expressing your own thoughts on this proposal – whatever they might be. Put something into your own words (or borrow some of mine) and keeping it short and to the point is fine.

Please also share this message with your friends and networks!

Go here to submit testimony and read the bill. If you want to go the extra mile, please also join me in sharing your opposition with your own District Representative AND directly with the individual members of the House Committee on Public Safety.

My testimony:

Chair Belatti, Vice Chair Iwamoto and Committee Members –

I’m writing today in strong opposition to SB3240 and ask that you defer this measure.
SB3240 seeks to appropriate funds to the DBEDT Military And Community Relations Office (MACRO). The original request was $1.3 million.
 
In these tight budget times, this funding is needed to support homeless programs, healthcare, food/SNAP, and many other things.  The U.S. military and the defense industry can well afford to pay for their own public relations efforts.

MACRO, is an agency of the State that focuses on public relations, communications, and managing public sentiment with regards to the U.S. military operations in Hawaiʻi.
 
Given the current strong community concerns and opposition to further expansion of the U.S. militaries footprint in Hawaiʻi AND given the reality of the current federal administrations Department of War position of “no rules of engagement” and the purpose of the military is to “kill people and break things” AND given the destruction and carnage now occurring in the MidEast – PLUS the U.S. militaries history of irresponsible and damaging conduct at Red Hill and Pōhakuloa…and so many other examples –

I believe strongly that it is inappropriate at best…for the State of Hawaiʻi to actively support and fund a PR and communications campaign designed to support the defense industries expansion here in the islands – AND seeks access to our public school students.

According to publicly available information, MACRO has hired a public relations agency to, “Utilize automated data scraping tools to collect and analyze relevant public commentary from news sites, blogs, forums, and social media platforms to assess evolving sentiment toward military-related issues…” They also draft press releases, ghost-write oped columns, prepare testimony, issue talking points etc.

MACRO intends now to bring their defense industry messaging into our public school system under the guise of “workforce development”.

Hawaiʻi State Government should not be allowing and funding any industry access to our kindergarten and public school students – in order to plant the seeds of support and counter opposition.

SB3240 proposes (paraphrase) “to enhance communication and responsiveness, strengthen Hawai‘i defense-related workforce pathways, and integrate the exposure of students in grades kindergarten through twelve…and align workforce development with evolving industrial and defense-related needs.”

For these reasons and many more – please oppose and defer SB3240 and do not pass it forward.
Sincerely,
Gary Hooser