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 am a co-founder and former Board President of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A.) www.hapahi.org In addition, I have also served as 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)

Words On Leadership

Posted on February 4, 2018 by garyhooser

Was invited to offer words of “reflection and contemplation” to the Hawaii State Senate this past Friday February 2, 2018. Mahalo to Senator Ihara for granting me this honor, and to Senate President Ron Kouchi and all of my former … Continue reading →

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A birthday ask that does not cost any money.

Posted on January 30, 2018 by garyhooser

Aloha Friends, I just completed my 64th trip around the sun and a big mahalo to all who sent birthday greetings! I am making one more birthday ask today and it is not for money.   Please contact your State Senator … Continue reading →

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4 things Hawaii must do in response to recent ballistic missile scare

Posted on January 19, 2018 by garyhooser

Providing leadership and support for a strong and conscientious movement toward global peace and the dismantling of all nuclear weaponry, must be Hawaii’s response to the events of this past Saturday morning. To be clear, I believe in having a … Continue reading →

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A Practical Guide To Problem Solving At The County Level

Posted on January 19, 2018 by garyhooser

Problem solving and decision making by elected bodies can be complex, convoluted, and to some, a veritable conundrum. Needless to say, in a political environment, the dynamics and pressures inhibiting the introduction of new out-of-the-box solutions are significant. The most … Continue reading →

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Debbie Downer and Her Impact on Policy Making

Posted on January 16, 2018 by garyhooser

Recently, I received an email from a friend sharing their angst as to our County Government having “No leadership, no great vision for the future, little competency, and a stubborn unwillingness to change.” While my friend acknowledged that there were … Continue reading →

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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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