Author Archives: garyhooser

About garyhooser

This blog represents my thoughts as an individual person and does not represent the official position of any organization I may be affiliated with. I presently serve as volunteer President of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A.) www.hapahi.org I am the former Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. In another past life, I was an elected member of the Kauai County Council, a Hawaii State Senator, and Majority Leader, and the Director of Environmental Quality Control for the State of Hawaii - in an even earlier incarnation I was an entrepreneur and small business owner. Yes, I am one of the luckiest guys on the planet. Please visit my website AND sign up for my newsletter (unlike any email newsletter you have ever gotten, of that I am sure) - http://www.garyhooser.com/#four “Come to the edge.” “We can’t. We’re afraid.” “Come to the edge.” “We can’t. We will fall!” “Come to the edge.” And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew. - Christopher Logue (b.1926)

Coco Palms Development VS Community – Summary and Update – Time Sensitive!

The statements made by the Kauaʻi Council Chair on May 10th and supported by a clear majority of Council members, combined with the public statements made by the State BLNR Chair making it clear the department is taking seriously it’s … Continue reading

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Policy, Politics, and May Day at Kōloa Elementary School

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Or in the case of the recent May Day celebration at Kōloa Elementary School, it was the Plumeria, the Stephanotis, the Pikake, the Ti, and so many others. Surrounded by … Continue reading

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2024 Hawaiʻi elections cannot come soon enough

I remember sitting at the dinner table shortly after the elections in 2000 and remarking to my family “Aren’t you glad the campaign is over?” My daughter Kelli-Rose, who was 12 years old at the time, didn’t miss a beat … Continue reading

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Another Hooser fun fact (you will catch the pun later)

You already know How on May 17th, 1980 I was smitten. So what happened next? We were married on May 17, 1980 in Durban South Africa at the Old Fort Chapel. We then backpacked around Southern Europe for a few … Continue reading

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Kaua‘i leads wrong way on Zoom testimony

Effective March 22, 2023, Kaua‘i County became the only county in Hawai‘i whose citizens are not allowed to testify via Zoom or other remote technology. The reason given: “If we cannot get back online (after a power outage) within 30 … Continue reading

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Standing up. Speaking out. Pushing back.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs called the 2023 legislative session “one of the most dysfunctional legislative sessions in recent history.” I agree 100 percent. Yes, there were some wins, but the 2023 legislative session was, overall, a bust. Big time. … Continue reading

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Hawaiʻi Reform/Fail = 2024 Election/Wins #motivation

Two legislators were busted last year for taking bribes in return for helping a prolific campaign donor with legislation benefiting his company. Immediately, with much fanfare, House Speaker Scott Saiki created a “Commission To Improve Standards of Conduct” and vowed … Continue reading

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Coco Palms Hotel Development Charade – an update

Before I get to the nitty gritty update details of the hot mess that is the proposed Coco Palms Hotel development – may I ask you to please sign this petition and possibly chip in online to help pay the … Continue reading

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Publicly funded elections being thrown under the bus – your action is needed now

According to Civil Beat and many other sources too afraid to speak publicly – SB1543 publicly funded elections – will/may be sentenced to a slow and twisted death today April 27th at 3:05PM in Conference Room 325. It’s time for … Continue reading

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DLNR issues cease and desist order to Coco Palms Hotel developer

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has issued a cease and desist order against the owners/developers of the Coco Palms hotel for illegally entering state conservation land and using heavy machinery, tree clearing, and grubbing without a permit. In … Continue reading

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