Author Archives: garyhooser

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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)

Title: To Those Candidates Who Lost –

Posted on November 12, 2024 by garyhooser

Losing sucks, but please don’t blame the voters. You lost, and you should take responsibility for that loss – no one else. Having been a candidate myself in 11 different campaigns – I know first-hand how much it sucks to … Continue reading →

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Updated….Important heads-up to Kauai residents and land use attorneys – November 12 Planning Commission meeting

Posted on November 9, 2024 by garyhooser

* NOTE this post has been edited to clarify the impact of this new law’s impact on agricultural land – the law’s primary legislative advocate has informed me repeatedly that agricultural zoned lands will not be impacted at all. ***Important … Continue reading →

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It’s time to pivot local – written with Kauaʻi residents in mind but the message and the “action ask” is for everyone, on every island

Posted on November 8, 2024 by garyhooser

No matter what happens in Washington D.C. in the coming days, here in Hawai’i we need to take a deep breath and turn our focus immediately toward local issues. We may not be able to personally and directly impact national … Continue reading →

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Special message written by my son Dylan and posted on FaceBook this morning – Nov. 6, 2024

Posted on November 6, 2024 by garyhooser

Last night I received a text from a friend asking “Is your dad ok?”. Of course he’s ok. We are all ok. Are we disappointed. Saddened. Even horrified. Short answer is yes. Of course we are. Does that change who … Continue reading →

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Political inspiration from that young boy wearing jersey #6

Posted on October 31, 2024 by garyhooser

He doesn’t know me at all and I only know him as jersey #6. He’s probably 9 years old, maybe 10. His actions on the soccer field this past Saturday should make us all very proud, and remind us of … Continue reading →

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Changing The World – Together – One Person At A Time

Posted on October 28, 2024 by garyhooser

While it may sound a bit corny, I believe every one of us wants to change the world for the better. We each see the injustice, the pain, the hardship, and the ugliness, and each of us want to help … Continue reading →

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Title: Kauaʻi candidates on a string – SuperPacs at work

Posted on October 22, 2024 by garyhooser

The biggest threat to democracy is not unregulated immigration, but rather the unregulated and unlimited flow of money into political campaigns – on both sides of the aisle. Billionaire Elon Musk has given $75 million to a SuperPac supporting the … Continue reading →

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How I would vote if I lived in the district – Oahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, OHA Statewide – 2024 General Election

Posted on October 22, 2024 by garyhooser

The ballots have arrived and questions are streaming in from friends on every island…asking how I would vote “if I lived in the District” – Below includes Maui, Oahu (parts), Kauaʻi, OHA Statewide, and constitutional amendments. Big Island – I’m … Continue reading →

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One Kauaʻi County Council vote for Fern Anuenue Holland can make a difference

Posted on October 17, 2024 by garyhooser

So who you going to vote for? Some will keep that answer private and others will wear it on their sleeve (or their car bumper or on the yard sign in front of their house). As a political columnist writing … Continue reading →

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Voting Conundrum – The Party or the Person? 

Posted on October 4, 2024 by garyhooser

Will you be casting your vote based mostly on the person, or the Party? Recently I received an email asking a simple and straightforward question on this topic. In formulating an answer, my brain quickly became entangled in complicated thoughts … Continue reading →

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