Breaking…I’m posting here the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) review of the Honolulu Charter Amendments – which I agree with 100%. Full disclosure: While I am a proud co-founder of HAPA, and remain a strong friend and supporter, I’m no longer President of the HAPA Board of Directors. After 10 years, I felt it best that I “retire from the Board” 😉 and make space for others to lead and grow in that position. But yes…still love and support the HAPA crew and mission!
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Back to “If I lived in the district, this is who I would vote for…”
In the spirit of thinking globally and acting locally, my main focus at the moment is on the Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawaiʻi County Council races.
However, before I go there – Here are 5 State (Oahu and Maui) legislative seats I am supporting and would vote for, “If I lived in the district.”
State Senate District 18
Mililani and Waipiʻo Gentry
Danielle Marie Māliekekai Bass
State House District 14
West Maui
Pāʻele Kiakona
State House District 39
Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili, Portion Waipahu
Corey Rosenlee
State House District 42
Portions Varona Village, ‘Ewa, Kapolei, Fernandez Village
Makana Paris
State House District 45
Wai‘anae, Mākaha
Kalehua Kaopua
Note: For a variety of reasons, for the moment anyway, I am only listing the above 5 “new candidates” and not reviewing or making recommendations in other races.
I’ve served 8 years in the State Senate AND 8 years at the County Council level – both of course are important elements of our local government. Increasingly however, I’m becoming drawn to the often untapped opportunity presented by County government and the County Council. Please read “A policy and politics epiphany – Think County Council”
There is sooooo much positive potential contained in the Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawaiʻi County Council races – If all three Counties “go the right way” and elect the candidates listed below – our collective community through-out all the islands will benefit.
What about Honolulu? Honestly for me the Honolulu Council is a bit of a mystery AND given the “shopping cart” bill that was proposed and supported by many AND given the recent Sunshine Law apparent violations (see Civil Beat) AND given the situation with the Chair and his legally flawed attempt at reelection…add all that stuff up…and it’s far too convoluted for me to try and unravel at the moment.
Each and every one of the below listed Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawaiʻi County Council candidates believe in putting people and the planet above corporate profits AND believe deep in their hearts that “we’re all in this together”.
So…for the Kaua‘i County Council, I will only be casting 5 votes (and yes you are allowed to vote for up to 7):
Please join me in including the above 5 individuals on your Kaua‘i County Council voting list as well.
AND if I lived in the district I would without a doubt, vote for the below Hawaiʻi and Maui County candidates.
Hawaiʻi County Council
District 5 – Matson, Shannon Lopeka
Maui County Council
East Maui – Sinenci, Shane
West Maui – Paltin, Tamara Akiko Maile
Kahului – Kamekona, Carol Lee
South Maui – King, Kelly Takaya
Upcountry – Pahia, Bobby
Lanai – Johnson, Gabe
Molokai – Rawlins-Fernandez, Keani
How did I reach my conclusions as to who to cast my vote for?
I have spoken at length individually with each of the above candidates, some of whom I’ve known, and worked with, for years.
I’ve also asked others in the community who have direct experience working with them, AND watched/listened/read their responses to questions posed at various public forums and on their websites.
Read more about my rationale, thought processes, and decision-making criteria, “Choosing from the imperfect”.
I’ve not yet come to any conclusion on the Kaua‘i Mayor’s race.
Ditto with regards to the OHA races.
I’m for sure voting 100% for U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda.
For Maui Mayor I’d be voting for Richard Bissen.
The 2 State Constitutional questions, both get a YES from me. Extending the time for the Senate to evaluate judicial appointments AND granting the County governments additional authority to borrow money for infrastructure- both make sense to me.
HOWEVER – In response to concerned friends and allies who are concerned about Con Amendment #2 and are voting NO, I’ve outline my thoughts here “Digging into Con Amendment #2”
My position is still a Yes…but somewhat hesitant.
PLEASE READ “Digging into Con Amendment #2”
On proposed Kaua‘i County Charter amendments – I’m leaning NO on the Kaua‘i question proposing to eliminate the Zoning Board of Appeals. Just because the present Mayor and Council and Planning Department have chosen not to activate the Zoning Board of Appeals, does not necessarily mean it’s not a valuable option to be utilized.
Below are the official links to each County’s proposed Charter Amendments.
The proposed Hawaii County Charter Amendments are here.
The proposed Honolulu Charter Amendments are here.
The proposed Maui Charter Amendments are here.
I’m working at this moment reviewing the various County Charter amendments for each County and hope to post my thoughts on these in the near future (yes I know I’m running out of time).
AND I may or may not in the future, review or comment on the Governor/LG and State-wide legislative races. Reviewing the 75 plus races and commenting on those who are “contested” will take some time…and with Lulu, and Lowell, and Nolo having already consumed so much…not sure I have the capacity. But will see what I can do.
Mahalo to you the reader for taking these recommendations in the positive spirit in which they are intended. But please do your own research, make a decision you are comfortable with, offer your help and support to the candidates as well – AND VOTE!
Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
Based on my research into disaster funding and the lack of accounting and follow through (“Itʻs Our Money” on hawaiifirst.blog), I would think that a top question for any candidate in Hawaiʻi should be:
“What will you do to ensure that funds awarded for disaster recovery are actually spent on disaster recovery and deliver real recovery?”
Unlike empty promises regarding agriculture, health, and education, disaster recovery doesnʻt even make the list on candidate promises.
Greater awareness, accounting, and follow through are required. Or we could just pave and harden the islands for the luxury crowd and get it over with.
As Hawaiians are forced to leave we import their replacements.
What is wrong with this picture?
Excellent point Richard and I see now I neglected to include a sentence or anything on money management and corruption. My “word count” is limited to 730 words and am already exceeding that…but because of your nudge…and rightfully so…I’ve added this sentence “Are they willing to call out the waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds, or will they just look the other way, afraid of jeopardizing their own “funding requests”?” And adding it to the blog item entitled “Choosing from the imperfect – A voters guide” Even though your comment was actually on my “who I would vote for list…” Mahalo!
Aloha Gary, Mahalo for your support & endorsement!Aloha, MichelleOn Sep 26, 2026,
Who will push for the short medium and.long term solutions? Who will be successful under the two year term of council?
Mahala again for weighing in on this. My main point is the the Council has significant power that is mostly underutilized. And most elected remain there until they are “termed out”…for 8 years or more in some cases. Yes, of course the Mayor is important…but we have too many “ho hum” Mayors…and the Council can drive the ship in spite of the Mayor…or aligned with the Mayor…But bottom line is a strong majority on the council can move mountains.