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)

To parents, grandparents, teachers and students – Send the message today and say ‘No’ to public education budget cuts

Posted on February 28, 2024 by garyhooser

A recent Honolulu news story reports the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee (WAM), Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, is proposing to reduce spending on public education in order to balance the overall state budget. Hawai‘i’s 258 public schools and … Continue reading →

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Self reflections, self care, mad as hell and not going to take it anymore

Posted on February 25, 2024 by garyhooser

I received a belated birthday congratulatory text a few days ago from a friend who asked, “You doing ok? I heard you’ve lost some weight.” *Note – if you’re not interested in the personal reflections stuff just skip down to … Continue reading →

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Civic engagement 101 – into the weeds

Posted on February 23, 2024 by garyhooser

My telephone was ringing off the hook over the weekend with people calling to let me know the State Department of Transportation (DOT) was “spraying herbicides along the highway between Kapaa and Anahola”. Please sign this petition joining me and … Continue reading →

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Leave Jeffrey Alone – reflections from July 6, 1997

Posted on February 22, 2024 by garyhooser

I read recently in “Ask Georgia” that there was a move afoot to get rid of Jeffrey. Jeffrey might possibly offend the delicate sensibilities of certain members of our community, but to my knowledge he has never hurt anybody. Jeffrey … Continue reading →

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I don’t want to be Donald Trump Anymore

Posted on February 20, 2024 by garyhooser

Interested in a good laugh and a deep dive into the Hooser psyche of 34 years ago? While going through boxes of old news clippings my dear mother has been saving, I found this missive I penned in the early … Continue reading →

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A brief list of some of the priority bills 2024 legislative session

Posted on February 16, 2024 by garyhooser

2024 Legislative Session A brief list of some of the priority bills moving through the process, that if passed into law could make a tangible and positive difference in the lives of many. Note: I understand there are perhaps hundreds … Continue reading →

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The cards are stacked in our favor, let’s do it.

Posted on February 14, 2024 by garyhooser

It’s easy to be a cynic and in these times of hardship and turmoil, it’s very hard to be optimistic. But we must have hope, we must dream and believe in a better world, and we must work hard to … Continue reading →

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Advocacy Groups/Action Alerts

Posted on February 12, 2024 by garyhooser

Directory of Advocacy Organizations and Groups in Hawai’i that monitor public policy initiatives and issue action alerts seeking public testimony. These groups share my general values – Please visit their websites, sign-up for the action alerts, stay informed on the … Continue reading →

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Crossing the rubicon…my 70th birthday has come and gone…

Posted on January 21, 2024 by garyhooser

70 years ago, on January 19, 1954, at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego California, my beautiful mother (who is 91 years old by the way), gave birth, to me…Gary Lee Hooser. Thank you Mom! 😉 It’s been a good … Continue reading →

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Opening day at the legislature – No money. No problem.

Posted on January 15, 2024 by garyhooser

It’s easy to imagine the scene at the big square building in Honolulu, Wednesday January 17 – opening day of the 2024 legislative session. There will be “pomp and circumstance”, important people rubbing shoulders with other important people, high-minded rhetoric … Continue reading →

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