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)

Testimony to Kauaʻi Planning Commission – Coco Palms Hotel development Petition for Declaratory Order

Posted on January 24, 2023 by garyhooser

Testimony to Kauaʻi Planning Commission: SUPPORT for Petition for Declaratory Order 01/24/2023 Coco Palms Hotel Development – Petition for Declaratory Order Aloha Commissioners, The testimony below represents my thoughts and viewpoint presented as an individual only and does not represent … Continue reading →

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First action – then a deep-dive birthday rumination

Posted on January 22, 2023 by garyhooser

Yes, you must take action first, then you can look deep into the thoughts of a brand-new 69-year-old (it was day 2 that shook me). See below time-sensitive action items and then my birthday rumination. 1) Regardless of which island you … Continue reading →

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A Birthday Rumination – Hitting 69 – Day 2 Was A Hard One

Posted on January 22, 2023 by garyhooser

Turning 69 years old on Thursday, January 19th was an exhilarating day for me and I thank all who helped make it so. I often tell people “I’m caught in a positive feedback loop, and you are part of it.” … Continue reading →

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Guest Post: Nelson Ho in opposition to the appointment of DLNR Director Dawn Chang

Posted on January 18, 2023 by garyhooser

Please sign this petition opposing the appointment of Dawn Chang to be the new Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources – DLNR. Nelson Ho, a longtime Sierra Club leader, was Harry Kim’s Deputy Director of the Hawaiʻi … Continue reading →

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Time Sensitive: My birthday and a few other days I hope you find important

Posted on January 16, 2023 by garyhooser

The coming few days are big ones. Please show up if you can. Today, Tuesday the 17th marks the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a coup d’état against Queen Liliʻuokalani, which took place on January 17, 1893, on the island … Continue reading →

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4 things you can do now to help – Coco Palms – I Ola Wailuanui

Posted on January 16, 2023 by garyhooser

4 things you can do now to help – I Ola Wailuanui https://www.wailuanui.org 1) Make a pledge or promise of a future contribution! This pledge is contingent upon I OLA WAILUA NUI raising the total amount of funding needed to … Continue reading →

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Dancing with the devil – a Faustian dilemma and untenable reality facing every elected official.

Posted on January 11, 2023 by garyhooser

According to the Christian bible, the love of money is the root of all evil – yet we force our politicians to dance with that very same devil every 2 or 4 years. We ask our elected leaders to regulate … Continue reading →

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Affordable Housing, Clean Elections, Legislative Reform – ‘A deep moral crisis’

Posted on January 4, 2023 by garyhooser

The cynics and skeptics will say it’s just gonna be more of the same. Always the optimist, I beg to differ. There’s too much at stake. We have a new governor and many new legislators. The public will be anxiously … Continue reading →

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Where were you grandpa?

Posted on December 29, 2022 by garyhooser

A friend asked me recently about what keeps me up at night. What do I think about most when I lay there in bed in those final moments before drifting off? I wish I could say it was about how … Continue reading →

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Why we are taking legal action against the BLNR and Coco Palms Ventures LLC

Posted on December 18, 2022 by garyhooser

I was actually in the room when it happened, and could not believe what I was witnessing. In fact, I said that out loud at the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) hearing held on October 28, 2022. There … Continue reading →

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