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)

Post-Pandemic Public Policy – The Conversation Starts Now

Posted on April 4, 2020 by garyhooser

Post-Pandemic Public Policy – The Conversation Starts Now Incoming travel has just about been eliminated. The hotels and airlines are shutting down, restaurants and many businesses have closed, and residents are staying home. At some point soon our broader community … Continue reading →

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Guest Commentary – Important to read for a global health perspective that effects us locally

Posted on April 3, 2020 by garyhooser

The below email and commentary came to me this morning. While it is somewhat long and academicaly dense in nature…my instincts tell me that it is important and worth sharing….so here it is (and I checked him out…this guy is … Continue reading →

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Pandemic Priorities – Thinking Ahead To The 2020 Legislative Session Reopening

Posted on March 31, 2020 by garyhooser

While our first priority is personal health and then the economic realities of today, we must also at some point soon talk about what comes tomorrow. There is the “here and now” conversation of social distancing, travel bans, quarantines and … Continue reading →

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Breaking Bad – True confessions on my 9th day of almost self-isolation

Posted on March 25, 2020 by garyhooser

Gotta confess I have mostly but not completely stayed home during these past 9 days. Today I went to the Big Save and to Times supermarkets with a short but challenging honey-do list (but never was able to find eggs … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Covid-19, Kauai County leadership and the future

Posted on March 24, 2020 by garyhooser

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami should be commended for his leadership in guiding Kauai County through these past very difficult few weeks. His daily updates have provided a calm, consistent and reassuring message that appropriate measures are being put into place … Continue reading →

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Emergency Declaration suspends environmental, land use, planning laws

Posted on March 19, 2020 by garyhooser

From Donna Wong, Hawaii 1,000 Friends – “While citing the need to take all precautions to prevent Coronavirus-19 from spreading, which I agree is critical the Governor in his Supplemental Proclamation has suspended HRS 91 Sunshine Law, HRS 92 Public … Continue reading →

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The self-isolation blues – #separationanxiety

Posted on March 19, 2020 by garyhooser

Today is my 6th day of voluntary self-isolation. I am not sick, have no symptoms of any kind and to my knowledge, I have not been exposed to Covid-19. I’m staying home because it seems like the right thing to … Continue reading →

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The Hawaii Legislature has suspended its 2020 legislative session.

Posted on March 18, 2020 by garyhooser

What does this mean? Read the Civil Beat piece “Hawaii legislature to suspend session amid coronavirus fears” For advocates and those tracking, supporting and opposing various legislative measures, the short answer is that everything is on hold. There will be … Continue reading →

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Today April 4th is the deadline to join and be eligible to vote in the Democratic Party of Hawaii Presidential Primary

Posted on March 17, 2020 by garyhooser

Full disclosure: Though I am Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, this column is not written for or on behalf of the Democratic Party of Hawaii – but is my personal and individual voice only. My initial inclination today … Continue reading →

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Covid-19 and the 48% living on the edge

Posted on March 15, 2020 by garyhooser

Crazy, dangerous times we live in. The fear, tension, and panic of the coronavirus pandemic have clearly taken over all aspects of our daily lives. The entire planet is enveloped in the same hysteria and threatened by the same pathogen … Continue reading →

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