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 strange and tortuous path of the education Con Am” – for legislative nerds and policy wonks only – 

Posted on October 25, 2018 by garyhooser

The Con Am as we now know it, was born on January 24, 2018 as SB2922 with the primary introducer being Senator Michelle Kidani, Vice President of the Senate and Chair of the Senate Education Committee.   After months of … Continue reading →

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Indulge for a moment, a rant on the topic of voting.

Posted on October 20, 2018 by garyhooser

Voting is such a boring topic so I figure a rant is in order. People that already vote, will yawn and say “been there done that…move along…I’ve done my part and now I can get back to working in the … Continue reading →

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Funding Public Education – The art of kicking the can down the road

Posted on October 17, 2018 by garyhooser

Watching and listening to various individuals and organizations beating up on public school teachers and their effort to increase funding for public education is disheartening. Every single opponent leads with, “I support public education and teachers but…(fill in the reason … Continue reading →

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Who and what am I voting for or against? A look at my Kauai general election ballot choices.

Posted on October 13, 2018 by garyhooser

In response to several requests that have come via text, email and FaceBook, I have summarized below how I intend to vote on the various items contained on the General Election Ballot.  Though this is a Kauai specific list…several of … Continue reading →

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Who I am. Why I am doing this. How you can help. (my recent email message in case you did not get it)

Posted on October 11, 2018 by garyhooser

Aloha, The goal of this email is to enroll your help in making our community and our world a better place. If we have not yet met in person, this message will further serve as an initial introduction as to … Continue reading →

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Four Excellent Choices for Kauai County Council

Posted on October 3, 2018 by garyhooser

I recently had the pleasure of co-hosting a KKCR “Out Of The Box” radio show that featured a discussion among four candidates for Kauai County Council.  I was genuinely impressed by each and every one of these individuals and found … Continue reading →

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Candidates that don’t show up, don’t deserve your vote.

Posted on October 2, 2018 by garyhooser

In approximately two weeks, the first round of absentee ballots will be mailed out for the General Election.  Like many in the community, my mind is still not totally made up as to who I will be voting for the … Continue reading →

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Doubling Down, Next Steps and a Plan To Win

Posted on September 26, 2018 by garyhooser

Below is our “next step” plan and strategy to win. I think you will like it and am hoping you can help. Following up on our successes in the Primary Election , Pono Hawaii Initiative (PHI) is doubling down and pushing … Continue reading →

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Why I’m voting no on Con Con

Posted on September 20, 2018 by garyhooser

This is a tough one.  On the one hand I want to celebrate and embrace the concept of a grass-roots “people’s democracy” that a Constitutional Convention (Con Con) symbolizes. On the other hand, risking our existing constitutional protections on a … Continue reading →

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Political, Judicial, Legislative = #winning

Posted on August 29, 2018 by garyhooser

This was a good week for the grassroots on the political front.  Actually it has been a phenomenal year on many levels for the grassroots citizenry working hard to protect health and environment, and to expand and improve citizen based … Continue reading →

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