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)

Nov. 3 – Anger, Angst and Apprehension

Posted on October 27, 2020 by garyhooser

This time next week it will all be over. At least I hope and pray that is the case, and that the Biden/Harris ticket win’s by a landslide. Anything less than a decisive victory in both the popular vote and … Continue reading →

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Complete Statewide List of Candidates Endorsed By Pono Hawaii Initiative (PHI)

Posted on October 23, 2020 by garyhooser

All General Election ballots have been mailed to all registered voters throughout the State of Hawaii. Contact your County Elections Division (https://elections.hawaii.gov/resources/county-election-divisions/) if you have not received your ballot! * For info on the various Charter Amendments statewide please go … Continue reading →

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Affordable Housing Bill 2774 Is Beyond Counter-Intuitive

Posted on October 20, 2020 by garyhooser

Thank you Kauai Councilmember Felicia Cowden for standing strong in opposition to passing out of committee Bill 2774. While the measure contains some improvements to the existing affordable housing ordinance, it also removes critically important affordable housing requirements in the … Continue reading →

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Charter Amendment Suggestions – Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and Honolulu/Oahu

Posted on October 17, 2020 by garyhooser

2020 General Election Charter Amendments In response to the many requests I have received for thoughts on the various Charter Amendments being proposed by the four Counties: My apology for the delay in pulling this together, AND regret that the … Continue reading →

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What does Dred Scott have to do with it?

Posted on October 13, 2020 by garyhooser

In March 1857, the United States Supreme Court in Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. 393 (1856) issued a 7–2 decision against Dred Scott. Dred Scott was born into slavery in Virginia around 1799. He sued for his freedom after … Continue reading →

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Open letter to Kamala Harris – pre-debate notes from the heart

Posted on October 6, 2020 by garyhooser

To: Kamala Harris From: Gary Hooser – on behalf of my grandchildren Dear Kamala, While we have not met in person, I am compelled to reach out and share with you my thoughts, which I know are held by many … Continue reading →

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Why is one candidate endorsed and not another?

Posted on October 2, 2020 by garyhooser

What criteria are used by most organizations to determine endorsements? Sometimes an endorsement decision is driven by a single individual but most often there is a committee or a board that will make endorsement recommendations. The endorsement process and rationale … Continue reading →

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SuperPac targets Maui Council for takeover

Posted on September 28, 2020 by garyhooser

Heads Up! This is important – regardless of whether you live on Maui, or not. Please read through until the end, and help if you can. A new SuperPac based in Reno, Nevada has launched a $120,000 effort to elect … Continue reading →

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County authority and “workarounds”- policy wonk stuff:

Posted on September 23, 2020 by garyhooser

So just what can the County Council do anyway? Increasingly, this is the question I am getting from friends and neighbors. Frequently it is preceded by “I know they are responsible for balancing the budget, for setting property tax rates, … Continue reading →

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Kauai: Sheltered from the storm

Posted on September 8, 2020 by garyhooser

We are in the midst of a global pandemic, and our economy is on the edge of collapse. Sparked by violent acts of racial injustice and fueled by the ever-increasing economic disparity between the 1% and everybody else, people across … Continue reading →

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