The ballots have arrived and questions are streaming in from friends on every island…asking how I would vote “if I lived in the District” – Below includes Maui, Oahu (parts), Kauaʻi, OHA Statewide, and constitutional amendments. Big Island – I’m still mulling and researching and talking to friends who live there.

On Maui, this excellent Civil Beat story by Leo Azambuja describes the County Council competition pretty clearly. Maui Vs Maui: Candidates Square Off In County Council Power Struggle (https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/10/maui-vs-maui-candidates-square-off-in-county-council-power-struggle/)

It’s important to remember every voter on Maui can vote for each and every one of these exceptional individuals. You don’t have to live in Wailuku, or Kahului, or on Molokai to vote for those candidates! So please – where-ever you live in Maui County – cast your vote for each and every one!

Kelly Takaya King (https://www.kellykingformaui.com/) – South Maui
Carol Lee Kamekona (https://www.carolleekamekona.com/) – Kahului
Nara Boone (https://votenaraboone.com/) – Makawao-Haiku-Paia
James Forrest (https://www.voteforrest2024.com/) – Wailuku
Jocelyn Cruz (https://www.votecruz2024.com) – Upcountry District.
Shane Sinenci (https://votesinenci.com/) – East Maui
Gabe Johnson (https://gabe4council.com/) – Lanai
Tamara Paltin (https://tamarapaltinformaui.com/) – West Maui
Keani Rawlins-Fernandez (https://votekeani.com/) – Molokai

As to the State House of Representatives on Maui – these three are in my opinion, totally awesome.
Terez Amato (https://terezamato.nationbuilder.com/) – State House District 11
Mahina Poepoe (https://www.votemahina.com/) – State House District 13
Elle Cochran (https://voteellecochran.com/) – State House District 14
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On Kauaʻi – To better understand my thoughts on the Kauaʻi political/electoral lay of the land, please read One Kauaʻi County Council vote for Fern Anuenue Holland can make a difference (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/10/17/one-kaua%ca%bbi-county-council-vote-for-fern-anuenue-holland-can-make-a-difference/) and support Council Candidate Fern Anuenue Holland (https://www.fernanuenue.com/) –
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What about State Senate District 23 including the Windward Oahu communities Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Laie, Kahuku to Mokuleia, Schofield Barracks and Kunia Camp? My choice for this race is Ben Shafer (https://www.benshafer.org/) .

Ben Shafer is the real deal. If you care as deeply as I do about protecting our planet, you will appreciate the person who is Ben Shafer. Please tell your friends and neighbors to go the extra mile and help Ben take his campaign all the way to victory on November 5th.
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I’ve been getting more than a few people inquiring as to my thoughts on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (https://www.oha.org/). After consulting with kanaka friends on every island. My votes will be going to:

OHA At Large – Lei Ahu Isa
Molokai – Kunani Nihipali
Kauaʻi – Dan Ahuna
Note: None of the above OHA candidates appear to have campaign websites.
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“Rebuilding the House”

At the top of my “rebuilding the House” list is supporting the election of Corey Rosenlee (https://www.coreyrosenlee.com) House District 39 – Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili, and Portion of Waipahu, and Anthony Makana Paris (https://votemakana.com/) House District 42 Portions of Varona Village, ‘Ewa, and Kapolei, Fernandez Village.

Both Rosenlee and Paris fall into the “change-maker” category and their election to the Hawai’i State House would shift the balance of power towards people and the planet – of this I have no doubt whatsoever.

“We need to find, support, and elect political leaders who are integrity-based decision-makers, who will always vote their conscience, and are driven by the courage of their convictions.” From Hooser blog Looking for Change-Makers (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/03/28/looking-for-change-makers/)

One other candidate for the State House of Representatives who comes highly recommended by friends in the legislature is Desire Desoto (https://www.desiredesoto.com/) HD 45 Wai‘anae, Mākaha.

Desire’s resume says it all as to her values, experience, and priorities: 28 years of service working in Wai’anae Public Schools, 2019 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist, 2018 Hawai’i School Counselor of the Year, Current Member, Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Board of Directors, Former Alternative Learning Programs Teacher, Lifeguard, Swimming Instructor/Coach, All-American Swimmer, Olympic Trials Qualifier, Professional Surfer, Stunt Woman, Mental Health Therapist, and much much more.

If supporting the youth of today and visionary leaders of tomorrow is as important to you as it is to me – a vote for 21 year old Asheemo Daily is in order. Asheemo “Koda” is running for the State House District 48 Kaneohe, Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Waiahole and Kaaawa.

And of course we must continue supporting these House candidates:

House District 5 (South Kona, Na’alehu, Kalehu, Ka’u, Pahala) Jeanné Kapela (https://www.jeannekapela.com/)

House District 20 (Lē‘ahi, Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu) Tina Grandinetti (https://www.tinaforhawaii.com/)

House District 29 (Kahauiki, Kalihi, Kapalama) Ikaika Lardizabal Hussey (https://www.ikaika.house/)

House District 46 (Portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village, Waialua, Mokulē’ia) Amy Perruso (https://www.voteamyperruso.com/)
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Last but certainly not least: Please pass the word and vote YES on Constitutional Amendment Question #1 (https://www.yesformarriage.org/) to protect marriage equality. There is a second question regarding the selection of judges that I am also voting Yes on.
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Each County also has questions pertaining to County Charter Amendments which I’ve had no time to review nor really feel qualified to answer – except for Kauaʻi County – I’m voting yes on all Kauaʻi County proposed Charter Amendments.
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Please know the above is simply how I would vote, if I lived in the district…I strongly encourage you to do the research…and make your best most informed choice…but bottom line is be involved and VOTE!

In case you missed it, please take the time to read and SHARE widely this missive I wrote recently “Voting Conundrum – The Party or the Person?” (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/10/04/voting-conundrum-the-party-or-the-person/) The feedback I’ve gotten so far indicates this column resonates deeply with many voters.

Please, let’s do this.

Gary L. Hooser (https://www.garyhooser.com/about)
Former Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader
HOLD THE DATE – morning of November 2!
The Hawai’i (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) Workers Center (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) is tentatively planning a community march through Waikiki in support of the striking hotel workers and all the labor issues the community has been dealing with lately. State tuned.

Full Disclosure: My missives and rants are my own personal thoughts and do not represent any organization or group…it’s just me Gary Hooser, sharing my thoughts with friends and networks. The minimal costs associated with maintaining and sending the email and posting on my blog (https://garyhooser.blog/) …are paid directly and personally by me.