Author Archives: garyhooser

Unknown's avatar

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)

DEI – A Line In The Sand

Posted on February 24, 2025 by garyhooser

Each of us looks at the world through our own unique lens, formed by our own unique life experiences. Some of us grew up surrounded by poverty and hardship, while others enjoyed lives of wealth and privilege. We are brown, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

“Change brings opportunity.” – Nido Qubein

Posted on February 22, 2025 by garyhooser

Sometimes, people in positions of leadership must step back so others may have the space to step forward. This is why I’m stepping down from The Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A.) Board, an organization I helped create over a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Title: House Of Cards (time sensitive)

Posted on February 17, 2025 by garyhooser

If it looks like I’m “picking on the State House”, it’s because the House keeps messing up – egregiously, in your face kine messing up. The latest fiasco involves the Chair of House Finance, Rep. Kyle Yamashita, the sole sponsor … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Quick “How to guide” Submitting Testimony on Bills before Hawaii State Legislative Committees

Posted on February 17, 2025 by garyhooser

TESTIMONY PROCESS QUICK STEPS (mahalo Dave Mulinix, Greenpeace Hawaii and Sherry Pollack 350Hawaii for the cut and paste) Go to the Hawaii State Legislature website https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov Log In (top right-hand corner) to take you to the “My Legislature” page. Click … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The House – Unhinged

Posted on February 11, 2025 by garyhooser

The Hawai’i House of Representatives has once again shown its utter disregard for the publics right to meaningfully participate in the law-making process. This time they not only shut out the public, but also shut down their own House colleagues … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Trump/Musk – Brainstorming A Path Forward

Posted on February 9, 2025 by garyhooser

To those FaceBook Friends who believe in and support the actions of the Trump/Musk/Vance/Hegseth administration – please unfriend me. Seriously. I’m not talking about those who simply voted for Donald Trump, I’m speaking to those of you who believe and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

2025 – From Angst To Action, Time To Pivot

Posted on February 4, 2025 by garyhooser

Where were you “Pop Pop”? Where were you in 2025 when it started? Did you fight back or did you look the other way? Did you help build the walls or did you help tear them down? That’s the question … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Citizens Take House of Representatives to Court for Not Following Hawai‘i Constitution

Posted on February 2, 2025 by garyhooser

Concerned Citizens For Good Governance – Press Release 02/01/25 HONOLULU, HAWAI’I – Concerned citizens from across the state have filed a lawsuit regarding the state House of Representatives’ practice of making committee decisions behind closed doors in violation of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Hawai’i Advocacy Org’s – Action Alerts

Posted on January 29, 2025 by garyhooser

Sierra Club of Hawai’i – Sign up for action alerts at http://www.sierraclubhawaii.org/subscribe, or for legislature-specific action alerts go to http://hawaiicapitolwatch.org Hawai’i Workers Center – Priorities are paid family/sick leave, ending the tip penalty for tipped workers, and tenant protections sign up … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Title: The planet is burning. Time to stop fiddling.

Posted on January 27, 2025 by garyhooser

Plato (428-7 B.C.E) said it best, “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” I’m thinking that pretty well describes the present moment. Too many … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments