Aloha,
Hoping you’ve survived the recent weeks of bad weather without too much harm, expense, and/or disruption.
Fortunately, my ʻohana in Wailua Homesteads on Kauaʻi escaped major damage, but the recent storms hit us all pretty hard. The rain never stopped and the wind was strong and unpredictable.
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.
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
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