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 am a co-founder and former Board President of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A.) www.hapahi.org In addition, I have also served as 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)

Campaigning 101 #2 – The sometimes not so obvious basics

Posted on June 13, 2023 by garyhooser

It seems so obvious, but the truth is many if not most candidates just don’t get it. At public forums, in letters to the editor, and when knocking of doors in the neighborhood – candidates will speak with deep personal … Continue reading →

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Policy, Politics, Pride – The Saga of HB444HD1

Posted on June 12, 2023 by garyhooser

In recognition of Pride Month, I’ve posted below the official Senate Journal of March 23, 2009, a day I am most proud of. On this day, as the State Senator representing Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, I led an effort to pull … Continue reading →

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Campaigning 101 #1 -2024 candidates – First steps

Posted on June 7, 2023 by garyhooser

With the Aug. 10, 2024, primary election only 14 months away, local candidates need to get moving. In Hawai‘i, given the dominance of the Democratic Party, the primary is “everything.” You win the primary and you sail through the general … Continue reading →

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An important reminder: “What’s it all about?

Posted on June 5, 2023 by garyhooser

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Or in the case of the recent May Day celebration at Kōloa Elementary School, it was the plumeria, the stephanotis, the pikake, the ti, and so many others. Surrounded by … Continue reading →

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Coco Palms Development VS Community – Summary and Update –

Posted on May 29, 2023 by garyhooser

The statements made by the Kauaʻi Council Chair on May 10th and supported by a clear majority of Council members, combined with the public statements made by the State BLNR Chair making it clear the department is taking seriously it’s … Continue reading →

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Policy, Politics, and May Day at Kōloa Elementary School

Posted on May 29, 2023 by garyhooser

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Or in the case of the recent May Day celebration at Kōloa Elementary School, it was the Plumeria, the Stephanotis, the Pikake, the Ti, and so many others. Surrounded by … Continue reading →

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2024 Hawaiʻi elections cannot come soon enough

Posted on May 25, 2023 by garyhooser

I remember sitting at the dinner table shortly after the elections in 2000 and remarking to my family “Aren’t you glad the campaign is over?” My daughter Kelli-Rose, who was 12 years old at the time, didn’t miss a beat … Continue reading →

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Another Hooser fun fact (you will catch the pun later)

Posted on May 22, 2023 by garyhooser

You already know “How on May 17th, 1980 I was smitten.” So what happened next? We were married on May 17, 1980 in Durban South Africa at the Old Fort Chapel. We then backpacked around Southern Europe for a few … Continue reading →

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Kaua‘i leads wrong way on Zoom testimony

Posted on May 17, 2023 by garyhooser

Effective March 22, 2023, Kaua‘i County became the only county in Hawai‘i whose citizens are not allowed to testify via Zoom or other remote technology. The reason given: “If we cannot get back online (after a power outage) within 30 … Continue reading →

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Standing up. Speaking out. Pushing back.

Posted on May 13, 2023 by garyhooser

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs called the 2023 legislative session “one of the most dysfunctional legislative sessions in recent history.” I agree 100 percent. Yes, there were some wins, but the 2023 legislative session was, overall, a bust. Big time. … Continue reading →

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