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)

Policy & Politics – Don’t Come After My Chickens

Posted on February 13, 2023 by garyhooser

Yes, I feed them. I dump left-over rice, papaya and pumpkin seeds, and all manner of left-over food in my backyard – and then I enjoy watching these beautiful creatures enjoy their feast. In return, they give me their chicken … Continue reading →

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HB796 Term Limits For Hawai’i State Legislators scheduled for today Wednesday 02/08/23 – Here’s my testimony in support as amended

Posted on February 7, 2023 by garyhooser

HB796 Relating to Term Limits for Hawaiʻi Legislators has been scheduled for today Wednesday 02/08/23 at 2pm. Below is my testimony in support as amended. Readers are also encouraged to submit testimony! Support HB796 with amendments: Committee Chair and Members, … Continue reading →

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Hawaiʻi policy and politics: Why should you even care?

Posted on February 6, 2023 by garyhooser

Why should you care? Why should you take the time to send off some meaningless little email to some politician who’s not going to read it, and will do what they want regardless? Trust me, I feel this way more … Continue reading →

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Action Alerts, Maui Updates, Coco Palms is still a mess.

Posted on January 31, 2023 by garyhooser

Aloha Friends, My email is ringing off the hook 😉 Am not sure if you’re too young to remember when phones actually hung on the wall, and when the ear-mouthpiece sections were separate from the main phone? I digress. The … Continue reading →

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Grand central station for Hawaiʻi legislative action alerts

Posted on January 31, 2023 by garyhooser

Below is a ramshackle sort of list of various Hawaiʻi advocacy organizations that focus on various subject matter – all of which is important. I threw this list together today and will keep updating and refining it in the days … Continue reading →

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Pulling back the curtain – Coco Palms

Posted on January 31, 2023 by garyhooser

Who won and who lost on January 24th? On the surface, as is way too often the case – the developers won. But scratch just a tiny bit and you’ll see their victory was a hollow one. They stepped in … Continue reading →

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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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