70 years ago, on January 19, 1954, at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego California, my beautiful mother (who is 91 years old by the way), gave birth, to me…Gary Lee Hooser.

Thank you Mom! 😉

It’s been a good 70 years.

We moved to Hawai‘i in 1970 where I attended Radford High School, graduating (just barely) in 1972.

My parents and two brothers moved “back to the mainland” and I stayed, first living in Maunawili on Oahu’s windward side, then Kāneʻohe, then still later in Waikīkī – before landing permanently on the east side of Kauaʻi in 1980.

My beautiful wife Claudette has undoubtedly played a key role in “keeping me on track” after dragging me off the streets of Waikīkī in 1980. We have two incredibly awesome children, Dylan (Leeona) and Kelli-Rose (Justin), and 4 equally incredible grandchildren – Rixon, Isabella, Kaliyah, and Harper.

Read about how Claudette and I first met – https://garyhooser.blog/2019/05/17/on-the-occasion-of-my-39th-wedding-anniversary/

We live now with our faithful and very handsome, American Staffordshire Terrier, and best friend, Maximus Aurelious (Max) in Wailua Homesteads on Kauaʻi in the house our children grew up in. My days are spent serving as the volunteer Board President for the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) a 501C3 nonprofit and Executive Director of Pono Hawai‘i Initiative (PHI) a 501C4 nonprofit. In my free time, I help other non-profits, and I write. I love the writing part and it’s a growing part of my life.

I’ve learned a whole lot over the past 55 years working as a dishwasher, an operating engineer apprentice, pedicab driver, door-to-door salesman (cookware and fire alarms), truck driver, FunFactory manager, Real Estate Broker, small business owner, window and carpet cleaner, magazine publisher, County Council Member, State Senator and Majority Leader, Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and serving on various nonprofit Boards. I’ve run for office 10 times, winning 6 and losing 4.

While some would say it looks like I couldn’t keep a steady job, others will say that variety is the spice of life. In any case, I wouldn’t change any of it.

It’s been a roller coaster at times, with some deep lows and some totally phenomenal highs. But without question, I am blessed, my life has been a good one, and I feel good about what I’ve done and who I am. Like everyone, I’ve made my share of mistakes over the years, but I’ve learned from them (mostly) and like a good whiskey or fine wine (bad metaphor given my diet)…I like to think, I’ve gotten better with age.

My health is good. In the past year I’ve began paying serious attention to the basics of self-care, eating right (mostly plant-based and no alcohol), and exercising (10,000 steps per day).

Consequently, I’ve lost 50 lbs, feel great, and take zero medications. Read about my health and self-care journey- https://garyhooser.blog/2023/09/20/personal-reflections-crossing-bridges-and-walking-about/

As I now enter the prime of my life, the words “if I knew then what I know now” jump to mind. The beautiful truth of today and this particular moment in time is that I do know now. I have 70 years of life experience that’s prepared me well for the years to come.

I’m better prepared than ever for whatever new challenge or adventure is ahead, and ready now to make the next 10 years the most productive and positive ones of them all.

Perhaps then I may truly retire and work in the garden, play a little golf, and putter around the garage. Yea right…trust me…that’s never going to happen. Note: My editor/daughter eye-rolled hard, and gave me a virtual poke when reading this.

There’s work still left to do. There are mountains still yet to climb and there’s a new legion of climbers to support, train, and mentor for the future. And yes, there are still too many people living under bridges, our planet is still burning, and thousands of innocent people are killed daily in war torn areas around the globe.

So to be clear, I’m not going anywhere, and I’m entering this next phase of life stronger and more committed than ever before.

You are most likely reading this, because you are either also engaged in the battle or itching to roll up your sleeves and join in the fray. From the bottom of my heart I offer you all my sincerest thanks for being there – standing shoulder-to-shoulder in our common quest to make the world a better place.

Yes we need to do more and I invite everyone, I implore and beg everyone – to join me in renewed energy and commitment. We must continue to spread the word, enroll others, and continue to take ownership of and responsibility for our common future.

We fight, we win, we have good fun (that’s the self-care part). Of course we lose some too, but we keep fighting, keep pushing, and keep helping our friends and neighbors.

Mahalo plenty to all who are out there in the trenches working hard in our community and giving what they can to help others do the work as well.

And of course, if you want to help on my 70th birthday, I’ll take it 😉

Below is a very short birthday wish list.

1 ** Sharing and plugging my blog https://garyhooser.blog/ TODAY with your own social media networks would be awesome, easy, and help me expand my own networks 😉

2 ** And yes, supporting the work financially via an online or mail contribution to Pono Hawai‘i Initiative (PHI), whether $7, or $70, $700, or whatever, – would totally make my day. I promise to put it to good use making good trouble. My goal for 2024 is to make big-kine-good-trouble 😉

https://ponohawaiiinitiative.org/https/donate/phi

Mahalo to all for any help and support you can offer – TODAY especially 😉.

And it goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway- If I can ever help or add value to any community project you’re working on, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser

Note on fundraising: Every dollar given to PHI will be used in the pursuit of peace, justice, and environmental protection.Because PHI is legally permitted to actively and aggressively engage in political and policy advocacy, and follows all reporting rules and regulations that go with that – contributions are not tax deductible.

Note: Sign up for my somewhat unconventional email newsletter (though it’s not really a newsletter but I don’t know what else to call it) – Policy & Politics at
https://policy-and-politics.ma
ilchimpsites.com

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