Interested in a good laugh and a deep dive into the Hooser psyche of 34 years ago?

While going through boxes of old news clippings my dear mother has been saving, I found this missive I penned in the early 1990’s.

At the time I was in the real estate business, working in the high-end Kauai residential market, and doing fairly well. During this time a friend and I formed a partnership and started a small local magazine “Kauai Business and Real Estate” – thus began my journey in writing, doing a regular “from the editor column”.

Little did I (or anyone) know at that time what would eventually become of Donald Trump (actually we still don’t know).

I also had no idea that I would be elected to public office, eventually serving on the Kauai Council and in the Hawaii State Senate. I was just a 35 year old, a young father and small businessman, doing big deals working with rich people, and going through yet another one of those “rolling mid-life crisis” that I am so fond of.

Who would have thought?

Title: “I don’t want to be Donald Trump Anymore”
originally published in Kauai Business & Real Estate Magazine, early 1990’s



At one time I thought I did but now I am sure that I don’t.


I’m still not sure about being President. I go back and forth about being President. Some days I think that it would be nice to lead the world through to enlightenment and then other days I think that it would be more trouble than it is worth. But one thing is for sure – I am absolutely positive that I don’t want to be Donald Trump.


Now don’t get me wrong, the Money would be nice. I just wouldn’t want to have to do the things he has to or live the life he leads. Again, I don’t want to be misunderstood, it is not an ego problem. I am not lacking in the inflated ego department. If anyone questions the size or condition of my ego, just ask my wife. Claudette will confirm that the size of my ego is not a limiting factor in my ambition quotient.


“Gary’s lost the eye of the tiger,” some of my Realtor friends will say. “Gary’s lost the drive,” others will whisper as they write up their big deals. “Gary’s nuts,” still others will say as they chase escrows through the process.


I will be the first to agree that perhaps I am nuts. I have done a few wild and crazy things in my life and I hope to do a few more in the years ahead.


The drive is still there but the “eye” is shifting its gaze and coming to rest on something other than the almighty dollar.

The “eye of the tiger” is now looking for the quality of life. The “eye” stares unrelentingly at the hours spent with family and friends.The “eye” peers out at the time spent smelling the roses. The “eye of the tiger” looks also at the health and heart of the body that carries it. The “eye” is shifting to and fro scrutinizing the role I play in this global village we call earth. The “eye of the tiger” is zeroing in on the fundamentals of the elusive “good life” and what the “eye” sees now is much more than the glorious M word.


The feeling of accomplishment and achievement generates emotions that are indescribable and I have definitely not lost my desire to scale mountains. The power and the glitter of gold have by no means been totally removed from my field of vision. Only now the “eye” looks for other summits to climb and other mountains to conquer. The “eye” now realizes the journey itself is as important as arriving at the peak.


The big M word still has its place and it is a very big place, but it is not the most important place. I will still chase the occasional big deal but I will not let those deals run my life. The creature comforts money can buy are still much sought after and appreciated, but money is no longer the primary focus.


Perhaps my basic needs have been met which is allowing the focus to change. In any case I’m changing. Maybe living on Kauai has allowed my vision to evolve. After all Donald Trump lives in New York City, where making money to create happiness is a way of life. I live on Kauai and can just look around and be thankful for my good fortune.

Gary Hooser