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)

Elements of a campaign: Votes – Money -Team

Posted on June 18, 2019 by garyhooser

The 2020 primary election is on August 8, 2020. Next week Thursday the first presidential debates will be held. In June of 2020 the first “absentee ballots” will be mailed out.   For the first time in our history, every … Continue reading →

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Know your policy maker – eyeball to eyeball

Posted on June 12, 2019 by garyhooser

We agreed last week that the most important thing to every politician is to get elected and stay elected.  We also agreed that this is not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact is human nature. And, we agreed there … Continue reading →

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Tell me again, why I should care about politics?

Posted on June 4, 2019 by garyhooser

The short answer is driven by pure unadulterated self interest, which not-so-coincidently is also what drives most political decisions:  “If you don’t do politics, politics will do you.” Politics, policy and government action can add value to your life, and … Continue reading →

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5 paths for changemakers: choose one, choose them all.

Posted on May 29, 2019 by garyhooser

“El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” – a people united will never be defeated, says it all. While the singular act of individuals can move mountains, the combined actions of a group create movements which can change history. For those … Continue reading →

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On the occasion of your 2019 graduation

Posted on May 22, 2019 by garyhooser

One of my first thoughts is to apologize to graduates everywhere, but sorry really doesn’t cut it. Though my generation has screwed things up pretty badly, there are also many of us who have learned from our mistakes and are … Continue reading →

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On the occasion of my 45th wedding anniversary

Posted on May 17, 2019 by garyhooser

45 years ago I fell in love with and married a beautiful young South African girl by the name of Claudette Comrie. We had met just months before in front of the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki as she was … Continue reading →

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The Days Of Plausible Deniability Are Over

Posted on May 16, 2019 by garyhooser

If you are an administrator, public or private, you are liable for the workplace practices that occur under your supervision or authority.  Likewise, if you are an employer, public or private, you are responsible for the actions and inactions of … Continue reading →

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Sine Die – My Take On The 2019 Session

Posted on May 7, 2019 by garyhooser

The bill to increase minimum wage died, so there will be no increase. HB1326 (corporate water theft) also died, so A&B does not get a $62,000,000 benefit (yet). We should be pleased with the outcome of HB1326 as it is … Continue reading →

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Some in the Senate seem willing to trade the public trust, for a $62,000,000 corporate benefit

Posted on April 28, 2019 by garyhooser

Some in the Senate seem willing to trade outright the integrity of our law making process and the preservation of our natural environment for a $62,000,000 benefit to a private corporation.  We are again hearing rumblings there is an effort … Continue reading →

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The DLNR Does Not Even Support HB1326 (corporate water theft)

Posted on April 28, 2019 by garyhooser

If for some reason you remain unconvinced that HB1326 is a bad bill and not at all actually needed, please read the below and see clear proof that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) did not think HB1326 … Continue reading →

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