GaryHooser's Blog

At least a dozen brand new people were elected this past November 5th to serve at all levels of Hawai’i state and county government.

Each is in the beginning weeks of a very deep dive into uncharted waters.

The fear is, as my favorite uncle said upon my first successful election to the Kaua`i County Council in 1998, “Gary, please don’t turn out like all the rest”. Or, as a voter wrote me recently about their newly elected Representative, “I think, hope, and pray he does a good job and does not get co-opted like so many others.”

My hope is every one of them will be successful in doing the people’s work they’ve chosen to pursue, and elected to do.

If I was going to offer them advice (and I am), I’d say first and foremost “follow your naʻau”.

Yes, listen to your gut and your heart, then do what’s right – regardless of what the big money, the embedded lobbyist, and even your own legislative “leadership” is telling you to do.

Listen, do your homework, weigh the arguments of all, then do what you know deep down is best for people and the planet.

Raise your hand, ask the questions, voice your concerns. Whether in committee, at a public meeting, in caucus, in the chambers or on the floor, be the one willing to raise your hand. Don’t just sit there waiting for someone else to say what many in the room are no doubt thinking.

Trust me on this one. You raise your hand and other hands raised in support are sure to follow.

Raise your hand, give voice to your naʻau and vote your conscience.

And never ever ask for permission from “leadership” to vote your conscience. Give them a “heads up” and hopefully sway them your way – but never ask them for permission.

Both the House and the Senate (Democrats and Republicans) will hold a separate private caucus before “going onto the floor to vote”. This is the time to raise your hand, express your thoughts, thus giving colleagues a “heads up” as to those concerns.

When you ultimately cast your vote, either on the floor or in committee, it’s important to justify that vote, both orally and in writing. The public needs and deserves to know why you’re in support or opposition.

Please resist just going along to get along, and playing the so-called “long game”.

The challenges facing our communities are too great. Far too many of our residents suffer daily living in doorways, under bridges, and in the bushes at the side of the road. Our forests, streams, coastlines, reef systems and the very purity of our drinking water – all are under constant attack.

Be willing to rock the boat. We need you to rock the boat.

Don’t engage battle just for headlines and drama. Do your homework, vote your naʻau, and then tell the world why. If that rocks the boat then so be it.

Good people can look at the same facts and circumstances and come to different conclusions.

Be humble, show respect, and do not publicly denigrate your colleagues regardless of whether they agree with you or not. Disagree with their facts and conclusions, but do not attack, belittle or denigrate.

You don’t need to be loud, but you must be strong. To survive and be successful doing the work the people have elected you to do, you must be strong yet humble. You must do your homework, be willing to raise your hand and speak out, and you must always follow your naʻau.

Do these things. The people will win, and you will sleep well at night, arising in the morning to look yourself in the mirror and get right back at it.

Gary Hooser
8 years on the Kaua`i County Council
8 years in the Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
now…just continuing to do what I can to make our world a better place

above first publishing in The Garden Island Newspaper 12/18/24

“Meet the new House boss, same as the old House boss”…is not the headline we want to see 6 months from now when “post session” reviews are conducted.

The old style, behind closed doors, good ole boy, toxic culture of the past must remain there.

I’m hopeful and cautiously optimistic the new “House boss”, Kaua`i Representative and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and her leadership team will instead embrace a legislative culture of collaboration, inclusivity and sunshine.

We’ll know soon enough.

To meet the deadline set by existing rules, the Speaker must soon convene the required “Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure”, and the public must be allowed to attend (even virtually).

Yes, I’ve read the rules: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/HouseRules.pdf

Rule #19
“The Speaker shall, prior to the convening of a legislative session in an odd- numbered year, establish an Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure. The committee shall include at least one member from the minority party. The Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure shall review these Rules and propose to the House such amendments as the committee deems appropriate.”

Rule #20
“Every meeting of a committee of the House…held for the purpose of making decisions on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.

Will the committee recommendations reflect concerns expressed by the public? Will they recommend rule changes to prevent the abuses of the past? Will House Leadership support the much needed, long over-due reforms?

Everyone who works in that big square building knows Committee Chairs sometime kill bills for personal (help their friends and punish their enemies) and political/electoral (avoiding controversial but important issues) reasons. This is inherently corrupt, but permitted under existing House rules.

This practice (and others too numerous to list here) are allowed by existing House rules and can be stopped by a change in those same House rules, if House Leadership, and a majority of Representatives want that to happen.

It’s similar in the Senate, but not nearly as egregious. The Senate has a more open process for “bill referral” and regardless of a Chairs preference, if a majority of the committee wants to hear a bill – a hearing will be scheduled.

If you ask House members about their reluctance to support changing the rules to require actual votes and a public process, many will say (off the record) they don’t want to be forced to vote on “crazy bills introduced by Republicans” or “If I have to vote on this controversial bill, my opponent will use it against me.”

Cry me a river. If a Representative cannot publicly and effectively defend their vote, regardless of the issue, perhaps they should be looking for another job.

On the record, the response is more likely to be, “We don’t have time to hear all the bills.” And, “There’re too many crazy bills, too many duplicative bills, and too many bills that are not ready for prime time”.

To be clear, the main question is not about “hearing all the bills” but rather about who makes the decisions about what bills should be heard.

Should this decision be made by a single person, behind closed doors, without explanation? Or should a majority of the committee make that decision, with public input, and in the sunlight?

If House Leadership wants to reform the rules to stop these unethical and undemocratic practices they can. But it will not happen without the public pushing loudly for it.

I encourage all who are interested in making our government the best it can be, to show up and voice your concerns when the “Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure”, is eventually convened and meetings scheduled.

Gary Hooser

First Published In The Garden Island Newspaper 12/11/24

For some quick political speculation/entertainment/intrigue, read Down The Political Rabbit Hole (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/11/27/title-down-the-political-rabbit-hole/) on Kaua`i Mayor Derek Kawakami’s interest in serving as Governor or Lieutenant Governor.

My apologies for not being timely with my thanksgiving/mahalo message. Truthfully – with all that’s going on in the world…I struggled to wrap my arms around the topic.

Without a doubt, I’m the luckiest, most fortunate guy on the entire planet. My health is good. I walk almost daily along the coastline soaking in the incredible beauty. I’m surrounded by people I love and who love me. Each and every one of my days is filled with activities of my choosing, that reflect my values, needs, and wants.

But then I look around and see the many who are not so fortunate. I see that family living under the bridge, the man without teeth, who walks with a limp, whose days are consumed with finding the essential needs of basic survival.

I see the wars and the starvation, the obscenely rich getting even richer and the poor and marginalized becoming poorer and more marginalized. I see coastlines eroding, mountain streams disappearing, and plastic trash and petrochemicals – everywhere.

Yes, I’m thankful for my own good fortune, and committed more than ever to do what I can to help make our world a better place.

Today, I want to give a shout out to the change-makers, to those people in our community who feel a similar sense of urgency, and who share a similar commitment to help and support people and the planet.

To be clear, I’m talking about those of you actually taking action and doing what needs to be done to make positive change happen – not just talking about it.

Yes, change-making begins as a conversation, but to make a difference the talk must transition quickly into action, and the action must be sustained.

In the world of policy and politics this often starts with simply showing up to vote, placing a sign in your yard, and a bumper sticker on your car.

For aspiring change-makers, these first steps evolve into advocating publicly for and against various public policy initiatives, attending community meetings and public hearings, testifying on issues, sending emails and making calls to local lawmakers.

Yes, making a financial contribution to candidates and nonprofit organizations is important – but it does not replace the need to show up, send in the testimony, or make those calls.

Change-makers committed to increasing their impact and effectiveness will often align with non-profit organizations – such as the Sierra Club (https://sierraclubhawaii.org/) , Our Hawai’i (https://our-hawaii.org/) , Hawai’i Appleseed (https://hiappleseed.org/) , Kahea (https://kahea.org/) , Surfrider Foundation (https://hawaii.surfrider.org/) , the Hawai’i Children’s Action Network (https://www.hawaii-can.org/) (HCAN), Hawai’i Workers Center (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) , Common Cause (https://www.commoncause.org/hawaii/) , HULIPAC (https://www.hulihi.com/) on the Big Island, the ACLU (https://www.acluhi.org/) , Sustainable Chamber of Commerce (https://www.chamberofsustainablecommerce.org/) , the Hawai’i Alliance of Progressive Action (https://www.hapahi.org/) (HAPA) – and many others.

The next step in the natural evolution of a truly committed change-maker is to move into a staff, volunteer, board, or other leadership positions within the many important advocacy organizations.

Some will seek and gain election to public office. Others will fill key roles supporting election campaigns for candidates. The HAPA Kuleana Academy (https://www.hapahi.org/kuleana-academy-program) can help both “learn the ropes” in the area of electoral politics – how to run a campaign and win elections.

Many of history’s greatest change-makers, through actions of disruption and civil-disobedience, work totally outside the structure of any formal organization.

Backing us up, sometimes bailing us out, and always there advocating in the courts on behalf of people and the planet – are our public interest change-maker attorneys.

To change-makers everywhere, I say thank you. Whether you’re brand new and have yet to attend your first public hearing, or a seasoned veteran of many a previous battle – Mahalo plenty for being there. Mahalo for showing up, for taking action, for pushing back against the injustice, and for helping make our world a better place.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you, and also absolutely must ask for your help – again. After-all, meaningful change comes about only through our collective action.

If every change-maker who’s read this far can send one simple short email today, it can make a huge difference. There’s strength in numbers and every email is important.

Existing House Rules (https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/HouseRules.pdf) allow individual Committee Chairs to kill bills behind closed doors, without a vote of the committee, and without any public notice or testimony.

The Hawai’i House of Representatives must be sent a strong message so they know without any doubt which way the wind is blowing on this issue.

One of the dirty little secrets that everyone who works in that big square building knows is that some Committee Chairs use this Rule/Power to kill bills for personal (read ego, help your friends and punish your enemies) and political (read electoral, avoid controversial but important issues) reasons.

To change-makers working on every issue on every island – Please, today if you can – contact House Speaker Nadine Nakamura repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov and ask her to support reforming the House Rules.

For context read
Advocacy groups seek to change how bills move through the House (https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2024-11-19/advocacy-groups-seek-to-change-how-bills-move-through-the-house) (Hawai’i Public Radio). Read also this Civil Beat piece, What A Lahaina Advocate Learned At The Legislature This Year (https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/10/what-a-lahaina-advocate-learned-at-the-legislature-this-year/) .

It’s hugely important that Speaker Nakamura and your own district Representative hear our unified message loud and clear – “The time to reform House Rules is now”. Please also cc your own district House Representative – their contact info can be found via this Find Your Legislator (https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/) search function and/or reviewing this list of all House members (https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/legislature/legislators.aspx?chamber=H) .

To those who perhaps are new to all of this, and have yet to send your first email, this is a good place to start (and keeping your message short is ok).

Mahalo to each and every one of you.

Sincerely,
Gary L. Hooser
Former State Senator, Majority Leader, Councilmember – Continuing along this life path as a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend – just trying my best to do good and be the best that I can be.

Without a doubt, I’m the luckiest, most fortunate guy on the entire planet. My health is good. I walk almost daily along the coastline soaking in the incredible beauty of our island. I’m surrounded by people I love and who love me. Each and every one of my days is filled with activities of my choosing, that reflect my values, needs, and wants.

But then I look around and see the many who are not so fortunate. I see that family living under the bridge, the man without teeth, who walks with a limp, whose days are consumed with finding the essential needs of basic survival.

I see the obscenely rich getting even richer and the poor and marginalized becoming poorer and more marginalized. I see coastlines eroding, mountain streams disappearing, and plastic trash and petrochemicals – everywhere.

Yes, I’m thankful for my own good fortune, and committed more than ever to do what I can to help make our world a better place.

Today, I want to give a shout out to the change-makers, to those people in our community who feel a similar sense of urgency, and who share a similar commitment to help and support people and the planet.

To be clear, I’m talking about those of you actually taking action and doing what needs to be done to make positive change happen – not just talking about it.

Yes, change-making begins as a conversation, but to make a difference the talk must transition quickly into action, and the action must be sustained.

In the world of policy and politics this often starts with simply showing up to vote, placing a sign in your yard, and a bumper sticker on your car.

For aspiring change-makers, these first steps evolve into advocating publicly for and against various public policy initiatives, attending community meetings and public hearings, testifying on issues, sending emails and making calls to local lawmakers.

Yes, making a financial contribution to candidates and nonprofit organizations is important – but it does not replace the need to show up, send in the testimony, or make those calls.

Change-makers committed to increasing their impact and effectiveness will often align with non-profit organizations – such as the Sierra Club, Our Hawai’i, Hawai’i Appleseed, Surfrider Foundation, the Hawai’i Children’s Action Network (HCAN), Hawai’i Workers Center, Common Cause, HULIPAC, the ACLU, Sustainable Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawai’i Alliance of Progressive Action (HAPA).

The next step in the natural evolution of a truly committed change-maker is to move into a staff, volunteer, board, or other leadership position within the many important advocacy organizations. Working within an established, funded, and focused organizational structure, allows the change-maker additional opportunity to help make positive change happen.

Some will seek and gain election to public office. Others will fill key roles supporting election campaigns for candidates.

Many of history’s greatest change-makers, through actions of disruption and civil-disobedience, work totally outside the structure of any formal organization.

Backing us up, sometimes bailing us out, and always there advocating in the courts on behalf of people and the planet – are our public interest change-maker attorneys.

To change-makers everywhere, I say thank you. Whether you’re brand new and have yet to attend your first public hearing, or a seasoned veteran of many a previous battle – Mahalo plenty for being there. Mahalo for showing up, for taking action, for pushing back against the injustice, and for helping make our world a better place.

Gary Hooser
First published 12/04/24 in The Garden Island Newspaper

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami told Hawai’i Public Radio’s Catherine Cruz last week, ”I think ultimately I’d like to make a run for either one of the seats on the fifth floor at the state Capitol…” (either lieutenant governor or governor).

Yet just a few months ago in September, Kauai Now reported, “In cooperation with Sen. Kouchi, Mayor Kawakami has declared with the Hawaiʻi Spending Commission that he intends to run for Hawaiʻi Senate District 8 in 2026,” Dan Giovanni, Chair of Friends of Derek Kawakami.

Perhaps the most revealing statement in the HPR interview was Kawakami saying, “I’m not one to buck the system or take people out. I’m more of somebody that’s always just been more patient, and take a look for what window of opportunity is going to open.”

Translation: He’s cut a deal with Senator Kouchi, and will run for Kouchi’s Kaua‘i Senate seat (with Kouchi’s support) in 2026, and Kouchi will run for Mayor (endorsed by Kawakami).

Kouchi ran for Mayor in 2002 falling 1,657 votes short, and losing to Brian Baptiste.

Further guessing and speculation: Kawakami will then sit comfortably in the Kaua’i Senate seat awaiting the 2030 election cycle when both the LG and the Governor’s seat are “open”.

Still further wild-card guessing and total speculation: Recently reelected to a 6 year term, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono who is 77 years old, will one day retire. When she does, all hell will break loose on the political front.

Everybody and their mother will be seeking to take her place including but not limited to: Rep. Jill Tokuda, L.G. Sylvia Luke, and perhaps even Governor Josh Green. To be clear there will be many names on this list (including a Republican or two)…but I’ll leave that speculation for another day.

Should Senator Hirono retire “between elections” Hawai’i law says, ”Pending the election, the governor makes a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy by selecting a person from a list of three (3) prospective appointees submitted by the same political party as the prior incumbent.”

Such a retirement could be planned and timed in advance to “protect the seat” and assure whoever assumes the position is “the right person”, or the retirement could be sudden and unplanned due to health or other unforeseen circumstances.

Taking the speculation even further down the rabbit hole: Governor Green could in theory appoint himself to the U.S. Senate seat, triggering the ascension of L.G. Luke to be Governor. The Senate President by law would then assume the L.G. seat.

Big deep breathe: Let’s set the speculation aside for a moment and get back to what we actually know to be true.

Mayor Kawakami has said publicly he wants to be the Governor or Lieutenant Governor of Hawai’i but has filed a campaign spending report stating he intends to run for the State Senate District 8 (Kaua‘i).

Senator Kouchi who presently represents District 8 has supported Kawakami’s fundraising efforts. In 2002 Kouchi ran for Kaua’i Mayor and lost.

Former Mayor, now Councilmember Bernard Carvalho, and Kaua’i Council Chair (and former Mayoral candidate) Mel Rapozo are both likely considering a 2026 Mayoral run.

It’s important to remember that no one ever simply retires or voluntarily steps down. Politicians tend to stay in office until they lose an election or pass away.

So it seems one likely scenario is Kouchi, Carvalho, Rapozo in a 3 way race for Mayor and Kawakami walks into the Kaua’i State Senate seat, and waits patiently there for his chance to move to the 5th floor.

But of course anything could happen. Senator Mazie Hirono’s plans are a wild card, as are the political aspirations of other possible Kaua’i candidates including incumbent Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro and former Councilmember Mason Chock.

Yes – it’s fun to speculate.

Gary Hooser – first published in The Garden Island 11/27/24

Yes, there were some heartbreaking losses on November 5th, but there were also 4 new solid Hawai’i change-makers who won at the State and County level.

Individually each is a powerhouse of potential. Working together in alignment with incumbent allies and community – that potential can move mountains.

Kim Coco Iwamoto (HD25 Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Downtown) has a long and stellar record of achievement demonstrating her clear and unwavering commitment to people and the planet. She defeated House Speaker Scott Saiki in an election for the history books. The unambiguous message sent by her win is that business as usual in the House – is over.

Ikaika Hussey (HD29 Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi) proved the power of perseverance and hard work. He soundly defeated a new incumbent recently appointed by Governor Josh Green. Hussey has extensive experience and a solid track record working in community with a focus on economic and environmental justice.

Tina Grandinetti (HD20 Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu) is the real deal. She’s unafraid to be herself, to share with others her values, goals, and dreams, and to do the work necessary to make those dreams a reality.

Fern Holland won election to the Kauaʻi County Council and is on the list because she too is a “putting people and the planet first” change-maker, AND she lives in (HD15). She will be a catalyst for change on the Council and she will likely also have the ear of the new House Speaker.

What qualifies each of these 4 unique individuals to be on the “change-maker” list?

1) Each has a proven track record making change happen.
2) Each knows the value of community engagement.
3) Each has zero interest in just “holding space” or playing the so-called “long game”. They are there to make change happen.
4) Each feels the urgency of the moment. Each can see clearly that family living under the bridge. Each knows without a doubt the seas are rising, streams and drinking water are to be protected, and those who have more should give more.
5) Each knows the value of doing their homework, knowing the facts, and avoiding B.S..
6) None are wall-flowers. Each is willing to raise their hand, ask the tough questions, present the hard facts, and if needed and if even alone, push back against power.
7) Each is surrounded by a solid support base of friends, family, and allies, who have high expectations and prepared to go to the mat to help.
8) Each will vote their conscience without seeking permission to do so.
9) Each knows the value of open communications and long term relationships, built on trust.

These 4 individuals are change-makers we can count on. I say this without any hesitation whatsoever.

Regardless of where you live, please join me in thanking each of them, for being there – for us. repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov rephussey@capitol.hawaii.gov fernanuenue@gmail.com

Tell them mahalo plenty, and let them know we have their back.

To prove our commitment is not just an empty promise – please also email House Speaker, Representative Nadine Nakamura (HD15 Hā’ena to Kapa’a, Wailua and Kawaihau) repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Ask her politely and professionally to end the practice of committee chairs “killing bills” behind closed doors for personal and political (electoral) reasons. Ask her to work together with reform minded Representatives (including those listed above) to amend House rules and require committee members themselves to vote publicly yay or nay on bills, after a properly noticed public hearing and discussion.

Please. Take tangible, meaningful action today and help the change-makers move Hawai’i forward to a new era, and remind the Speaker and every member of the House that business as usual is over.

Gary Hooser

The general mood among many in our islands was reflected in this email I received recently.

“Oh man. Just saw latest – They control house and senate. We’re going to be in hell. How will we recover? They will make draconian laws. We have no recourse – there will be too many things and laws to focus on.

“All his appointees hate government. I’m scared, fearful of what’s going to happen next.”

Yes. It’s increasingly bizarre and scary.

It’s clear President-elect Trump is intentionally exacerbating the already existing discontent, distrust, and uncertainty.

Instead of trying to calm nerves, settle the unrest, and bring us together – he continues to stir the pot. He seems intent on shoving his arrogance in our face, and pushing the limits of every boundary. He will push, and threaten, and push and threaten, until the streets are filled with people marching in defiance and anger – pushing back against his unstable narcissism.

Then of course he will step in with authoritarianism to solve the problems and eliminate the chaos…and he will blame it all on Democrats and “woke’s” for not cooperating.

So what to do?

We can play the arm-chair quarterback blame game, but bottom line is Donald Trump won the election and will be the next President of the United States.

He won the popular vote and all 7 “battleground” states.

Republicans beat the Democrats nationally winning a majority of seats in the U.S. Senate and in the House of Representatives.

What’s next?

My initial thoughts were about the many checks and balances in place which would normally slow the actual implementation of his many threats and promises.

I’m thinking now he will frame the opposition as obstructionists, and play hard-ball like we’ve never seen before. He will force through the approval of his newly appointed unqualified ideologues, who will then take charge of our military, our top secrets, our international relations, our legal systems, and every single aspect of our government.

As to the streets filling with brown shirts and fascists, that’s something way beyond my pay grade to figure out, predict, or understand. All I can think of is “lucky we live Hawaii”.

Think global and acting local. That’s my strategy for maintaining some semblance of sanity and a moving forward plan – and am hoping our Governor, State Legislature and County Council’s – will do the same.

We must fight back against what’s currently unfolding in Washington DC by doubling down on our local efforts, impacting our local communities.

When our new president removes federal environmental protections, and reduces support for public education – we must increase those protections and expand support at the state level. When he attacks already marginalized communities, and cuts important government services, we must push back hard and defend our community and our values.

We must also focus immediately on the most important “disaster preparedness” issue facing our islands.

The time is now, more than ever before, to get serious about food and energy self-sufficiency.

Growing our own food will expand and diversify our economy, improve our health, preserve valuable open space, and is the best insurance possible to protect us against shipping disruptions and a world gone crazy.

Increasing tax incentives for roof-top solar energy production is an obvious essential action that also must be taken now.

If we’re wrong about the future under Trump (and I hope we are), then that’s ok. After-all, achieving energy and food independence, improving public education, supporting environmental protection, and treating all communities with respect and aloha — have no down-side.

Gary L. Hooser (https://www.garyhooser.com/about)
Former State Senator, Majority Leader, Councilmember – Continuing along this life path as a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend

Senator Brian Schatz (who was a co-sponsor) and Senator Mazie Hirono both stood tall with Senator Bernie Sanders and 15 other U.S. Senators, voting YES in support of a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block the sale of over $20 billion in offensive U.S. weaponry to Israel (which I wrote about in my previous mass email) (https://mailchi.mp/312f6f4745de/a-request-for-help-5233644) . While the Resolution did not garner the votes needed to pass (Newsweek) https://www.newsweek.com/sanders-resolution-block-arms-sale-israel-struck-down-1989047, we should/must honor our two Hawai’i Senators for their support of this important measure.

PLEASE MAHALO THEM TODAY – certainly before the end of the day on Monday 11/25!
Senator Brian Schatz https://www.schatz.senate.gov/contact/share-your-thoughts – (808)-523-2061, Senator Mazie Hirono https://www.hirono.senate.gov/contact/email-me-about-an-issue – (808) 522-8970.

It’s important we acknowledge our elected officials directly by email and telephone when they vote the right way, especially on tough sometimes highly controversial issues. Too often we spend our energy only on encouraging them to vote one way or another, or berating them for voting the wrong way. Please, help out today by sending them a short note and/or making that brief telephone call to tell them “thank you”.

Please also give a big mahalo to Representative Jill Tokuda https://tokuda.house.gov/contact – (808) 746-6220 who voted NO in opposition to the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act.

According to an article in the Associated Press “The U.S. House passed legislation Thursday that would give the Treasury Department unilateral authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofits it claims support terrorism, alarming civil liberties groups about how a second Trump presidency could invoke it to punish political opponents.”

The bill passed 219-184, with the majority of the support coming from Republicans and a few Democrats including unfortunately a YES vote from Hawai’i Representative Ed Case https://case.house.gov/contact/ – (808) 650-6688

Congratulations to former Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro and our brand new Councilmember Fern Anuenue Holland, both of whom recently won election to the Kaua`i County Council.

They will be joining the reelected incumbent Councilmembers Mel Rapozo (Chair), Kipukai Kualii (Vice Chair), Bernard Carvalho, Addison Bulosan, and Felicia Cowden.

Outgoing Councilmember’s Ross Kagawa and Bill DeCosta should be thanked for their service. Losing an election is hard but Kaua`i voters have chosen – been there, done that.

There’re many paths to service and no doubt both gentleman will continue to help and assist our community during these challenging times.

Of course I’m thrilled to see Councilmember-elect Holland win a seat at the table. This was her third attempt at running for public office and her win is a testament to the value of perseverance.

We all know the adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

I call it the Rocky Balboa school of success. You get knocked down, you get back up, you get back in the ring, and eventually you win.

Now the hard work of actually serving in office begins.

There’s no shortage of challenges facing our County, and my hope is that both individuals will seek to be the change-makers we need.

We have a perennial crisis in the area of solid waste disposal. Our landfill’s at capacity and a County curb-side recycling program is long overdue. The Council should audit our existing County recycling programs to determine if items are actually being recycled, fix any gaps or inadequacies…and then expand to a true and robust curbside recycling program.

Supporting local farmers producing food for local consumption must become a top County priority. We’re living in increasingly uncertain times. Disaster preparedness starts with food self-sufficiency.

Affordable housing is non-existent yet we have thousands of additional dwelling units (ADU’s) waiting in the wings with nothing to stop their construction except the lack of adequate sewer facilities.

The County must take the initiative to expand sewer capacity in existing urban areas. Build it and the ADU’s will come – constructed in existing urban areas, near job centers, schools, shopping, and public facilities.

Waste, fraud, and abuse, is present in every large organization – public and private.

In a political environment, investigating County operations to root out such activity is challenging at best. Some would say in a small town where everyone knows everyone, or literally related to everyone, it’s impossible.

The answer is a politically independent office of the auditor that conducts regular “performance audits” in addition to financial audits.

Our County Charter says, “There is established within the legislative branch an office of the county auditor…appointed by the county council…to conduct or cause to be conducted…performance and financial audits of the funds, programs, and operations of any agency or operation of the county, as determined by the county auditor…”

Yet the Council has not complied with the Charter. Yes, they order and conduct occasional audits, but they’ve not complied with the Charter by establishing a permanent and politically independent, office of the auditor.

The Charter is the foundational law of County government. Whatever roadblocks stand in the way, be it salary or other recruiting challenges, must be addressed by the Council and the Charter followed.

Our community deserves and needs a Council that’s pro-active. Maintaining the status quo, avoiding tough decisions, and simply holding space at the table – will only result in our existing challenges getting worse.

The 7 members recently elected have the skills, experience, and talent to do the job – they just need the political will.

I’m thinking, wishing, and hoping, the voices of Kaneshiro and Holland will add a new dynamic and new energy – and the result will be action.

If you agree, please reach out to all of 7 Kaua`i Councilmembers and encourage them to move forward in 2025 to establish curbside recycling (with audit), increase support for local food production, aggressively expand our sewer capacity, and to yes – follow the County Charter.

By Gary Hooser, first published on 11/20/24 in The Garden Island newspaper

A few days ago, I was speaking with a friend who suggested the State legislature or County Council involvement in passing “Resolutions” dealing with international affairs such as a ceasefire in Gaza, was a waste of time.

Why encourage people to testify on something that neither the State or County government had any control over? Why “expose” legislators to negative political repercussions on an issue not within their power or jurisdiction?

Passing a Resolution will do nothing to help achieve peace or a cease-fire they said.

So why bother?

My response was short and to the point.

Why do people stand on the street holding signs promoting issues? Why do they march? Why write letters to the editor? Why do legislators sometimes show up on picket lines in support of labor unions? Why do legislators hold press conferences on issues?

The answer of course is because every voice matters and the voice given to an issue by a formal Council or Legislative Resolution is worth thousands of individual letters, statements, signs and petition signatures.

All voices, matter. Individually they are important. Collectively they are unstoppable.

Note to readers: In addition to The Garden Island Newspaper, I also write a regularly for the Hawai’i
Filipino Chronicle. Below is my most recent column written especially for their anniversary edition.

Title: Our Voice Is Our Power – Let’s Use It

During my 30 years of work in politics and policy, it’s become undeniably clear that our voice is the most powerful tool in our tool box.

We can and we should vote, of course, but speaking out on issues, and letting the world know our thoughts, feelings, goals, and hopes – is the most important tool for change that we have.

Unfortunately the world of mass media has become a morass of content, with opinions too often disguised as facts, and marketed as “click bait” designed to sell advertising.

Mahalo to the Hawai’i Filipino Chronicle for the valuable role they play in helping to amplify the many local voices of change that might otherwise go unheard. By providing a straight-forward community based forum for coherent voices to tell their own personal stories – our world is a better place.

Telling stories and voicing opinions allows the writer to publicly “come out” on issues and values. Often when one person “comes out”, it gives confidence to others to do the same on perhaps an issue they might otherwise feel is too controversial or that they are in the minority on, and thus they are hesitant to speak about.

The issue could be about the tragedy occurring in Gaza, or the right for workers to be paid a living wage, or medicare for all, or that affordable housing is a basic right, or a woman’s right to choose, or yes…LGBTQ rights.

The bottom line is when one person begins to speak and write on issues, values, opinions, and goals – others are motivated to do the same.

When people start talking out loud about these issues, then others are empowered also to join in the conversation, and soon “policy-makers” hear the chorus and start pushing policy in the direction of the conversation.

This is how the tide of public policy shifts from one position to another.

Our Council-members, Representatives, and Senators serve at the pleasure of the voters. If the voters are increasingly vocal in their support or opposition of various public policy issues/positions – the elected representatives will ultimately notice and move in the direction of the voter. This is a fact of life in electoral politics.

Those who serve in elected office love their jobs and they can remain in office only if they win the votes of residents. Thus it’s critically important that each of us continue to raise our voices in public support and in opposition to the issues important to us.

We must use all methods of communication to ensure our individual and our collective message is strong and shared widely: Letters to the editor, emails and telephone calls to elected policy-makers, direct communications with our own friends and networks, holding signs and marching with others – and yes absolutely with strong support of those media sources that provide a coherent forum for diverse opinions – like the Hawai’i Filipino Chronicle.

Please join me today in raising our voices together, united in purpose with people across the islands and in fact across the globe, in support of a world that puts people and the planet first, above greed, above corporate profits, and above ego and personal aggrandizement.

Gary Hooser