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)

Status quo, good ole boys, will not get us there

Posted on February 27, 2023 by garyhooser

Believe it or not, it’s time for those new candidates considering a run for office in 2024…to…well…get running. The August 2024 Primary Election is only 17 months or so away and anyone serious about winning, best be getting real, very … Continue reading →

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Kauaʻi County Council – Time Sensitive – Action Needed!

Posted on February 21, 2023 by garyhooser

It seems the rush is on to fill the seat being vacated by former Councilmember Luke Evslin, who was recently appointed to the State House of Representatives. Apparently, Council Chair Mel Rapozo wants to do this Wednesday, February 22 at … Continue reading →

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Clever, common, corrupt and legal campaign finance abuse – Hawaiʻi politics

Posted on February 20, 2023 by garyhooser

A half dozen friends, all who happen to be legislators with large balances in their campaign accounts, gather in a bar or restaurant – each cuts a check for $2,000 from their campaign accounts and hand it over to the … Continue reading →

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Clean Elections: The reform that makes all other reforms possible

Posted on February 19, 2023 by garyhooser

I’m hoping you share my goal of getting money out of politics – or at least greatly reducing its impact. To be clear, I am not some aging Pollyanna who thinks we can turn our government and political system into … Continue reading →

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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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