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)

The 2020 Hawaii State Legislature, must get back to work.

Posted on April 29, 2020 by garyhooser

If sending flowers to mom is now considered an essential service, it would seem that it’s past time for the 2020 legislative session to likewise get back to doing “the people’s work”. God knows, there is plenty of work to … Continue reading →

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Big Dog Politics & Post Pandemic Policy – Kauai Style

Posted on April 28, 2020 by garyhooser

It was interesting to watch the recent mash-up between the big dogs – Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Senate President Kauai Senator Ronald Kouchi, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami, and Lt. Governor Josh Green. The Honolulu Mayor suggested last week that Kauai … Continue reading →

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Where I live there are rainbows, and we help each other

Posted on April 21, 2020 by garyhooser

In March 2006, Nancy Arcayna wrote in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin that every time Hector Venegas hears the song “Hawaiian Lullaby” he is reminded of his daughter, Krista. “The song evolved from the situation of my daughter’s life … her life-threatening … Continue reading →

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Foresight, not hindsight should be our goal

Posted on April 14, 2020 by garyhooser

2020 vision and decisive action by our state legislature is needed now more than ever. Hawaii cannot afford to wait until 2021. The State House and Senate have each convened a “Special Committee on COVID-19”. Ostensibly the mission and goal of each … Continue reading →

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Neighbor-Islands Poised To Lead Economic Recovery

Posted on April 7, 2020 by garyhooser

“Essentially, economists say, there won’t be a fully functioning economy again until people are confident that they can go about their business without a high risk of catching the virus.” New York Times April 6, 2020. A high bar to … Continue reading →

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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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