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)

2018 Resolutions & detailed 3 part strategy to win

Posted on December 29, 2017 by garyhooser

Aloha Friends, As you are aware, 2018 is a year that we can and must win. Our winning strategy requires waging the battle on three critical fronts: Electoral, Legislative, and Legal. A solid win in any one of these areas … Continue reading →

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Hawaii Policy & Politics, 2017 national debacle = 2018 local responsibility

Posted on December 26, 2017 by garyhooser

While perhaps a bit trite and formulaic, am thinking a year-end review and a preview of the year ahead is in order. There is, of course, good news and bad news. The bad news is that 2017 in a political … Continue reading →

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A Progressive Agenda and More

Posted on December 6, 2017 by garyhooser

Too often we are tasked on election day to choose between the lesser of two evils.  I believe early on, before we get to that point, we should strive to find and elect those people that actually meet our highest … Continue reading →

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Essential Reading: For medical professionals and others serious about understanding the Kauai pesticide/birth defect situation

Posted on December 1, 2017 by garyhooser

Below is a comment pulled from The Garden Island comment section, that was attached to the “Pesticides and Birth Defects – Who do you believe?” story published on 11/29/2017 (and republished on this blog, below this blog piece). This is … Continue reading →

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Pesticides & Birth Defects on Kauai- Who do you believe?

Posted on November 29, 2017 by garyhooser

Should pregnant women who live and/or work around high levels of pesticide use, particularly on Kauai’s west side, be concerned about birth defects? A Honolulu law firm has recently been running radio advertisements on Kauai and Maui, stating: “If you … Continue reading →

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Ripples- and the Power of the Pen

Posted on November 22, 2017 by garyhooser

A few days ago, I received an email from a friend whom I rarely see, but who occasionally shares with me her thoughts and ideas.  The email, (a portion of which I share at the end of this column) contains … Continue reading →

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Am thinking of all that I am thankful for.

Posted on November 21, 2017 by garyhooser

And this morning, my friend Mary is at the top of that list.   From an email I received a few days ago:   “Well, Gary, please know you always have my (usually unseen) support.   You WILL win eventually … Continue reading →

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On the ethics of working for the devil

Posted on November 12, 2017 by garyhooser

In my career as a former state Senate leader, County Council member, and community advocate, I have shaken the hands of countless adversaries after a skirmish – political, legislative, and even legal. It’s not always an easy interaction though it … Continue reading →

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We lost, we won, we will appeal – (Summary of yesterdays results in court) – Ke Kauhulu o Mana versus the State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and Syngenta 

Posted on November 10, 2017 by garyhooser

For those wondering what happened in court yesterday below are my thoughts and observations. Judge Randal Valenciano seemed very familiar with the section of law being argued, HRS343 – the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act (HEPA).  He also seemed to have … Continue reading →

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State BLNR grants Syngenta free pass on environmental review

Posted on November 6, 2017 by garyhooser

The Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) is proposing to exempt Syngenta operations on public conservation and coastal lands from environmental review – WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING WHAT THOSE ACTIVITIES ARE. Syngenta is an agrochemical company conducting research … Continue reading →

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