GaryHooser's Blog

Regardless of who sits in the oval office, we must continue to beat the drums on behalf of people and the planet.

Rest. Take a breath if you must.

Now let’s get back to work.

Innocent men, women and children are dying – the madness must stop.

There are two important actions that must be taken now, before the dust settles, before the pomp and circumstance, and before our new President is installed into office.

#1) Join me in calling and emailing our Hawai’i Congressional delegation TODAY. Tell them to stop funding the killing of innocents in Gaza and through-out the mid-east and vote “YES” on Senator Bernie Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block the sale of over $20 billion in offensive U.S. weaponry to Israel.

Senator Brian Schatz – (808-523-2061)
brian_schatz@schatz.senate.gov
Senator Mazie Hirono – (808) 522-8970
mazie_hirono@hirono.senate.gov
Representative Jill Tokuda – (808) 746-6220
jill.tokuda@congress.gov
Representative Ed Case – (808) 650-6688
ed.case@congress.gov

Yes, absolutely we must support Israel’s right to defend itself but we must vehemently oppose the use of U.S. weaponry and U.S. money – to support the retaliatory killing of tens of thousands of innocent civilians.

According to Reuters, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have killed over 41,500 people in Gaza alone, with the majority of identified victims being women and children.

The U.S. funding of this killing must stop.

U.S. law is clear: the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) require that arms transfers must align with internationally recognized human rights, promote U.S. interests, and avoid involvement in human rights abuses. The proposed weapons sale fails all three criteria.

#2) Please also let the our congressional delegation know you oppose the extension of U.S. military leases at Makua Valley, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho and Pohakuloa Training Areas AND ask them stop the bombing of Ka’ula which is just 23 miles southwest of Kaua`i County.

The U.S. has the largest military force on the planet. Here in Hawai’i we must lead by telling them – enough already.

As of September 2022, there were approximately 750 U.S. military bases with active-duty troops stationed across 178 countries. – In 2022 the U.S. spent $877 billion on defense/war – spending more than China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, the U.K., Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, and Ukraine combined. http://www.globalaffairs.org

The United States is the largest provider of weapons, has more troops, stationed in more bases, in more countries, than anyone else on the planet.

Do our U.S. Senators and Representatives support or oppose the continued U.S. funding of Israel’s military offensive operations and the IDF’s indiscriminate killing of civilians?

Do they support or oppose extending military leases at Makua Valley, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho and Pohakuloa Training Areas AND the bombing of Ka’ula?

Fair questions that deserve honest answers.

Readers – please help me out on this. Our combined energy, phone calls, and email – can make a difference.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s farewell address of January 17, 1961 – rings more true today than ever.

“Now this conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence—economic, political, even spiritual—is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government…

“We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex…

“Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together…”

Losing sucks, but please don’t blame the voters.

You lost, and you should take responsibility for that loss – no one else.

Having been a candidate myself in 11 different campaigns – I know first-hand how much it sucks to lose.

In 1994 in my very first campaign for election for one of seven seats on the Kauaʻi County Council I finished #10. For you history buffs, #1 was the beloved Kaipo Asing, #2 was Randal Valenciano (now Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit), #3 Maxine Correa (retired), and #4 Ronald Kouchi (now Senate President).

I’ll never forget that election evening. Our campaign hosted a gathering of friends and campaign volunteers who gathered anxiously around the radio, awaiting KONG’s Ron Wiley to tell the world who the winners would be.

After the second print-out showed clearly that I was not going to be among those winners, my campaign manager and totally awesome friend Dave said to me, “Gary, they lied to us. If they were telling us the truth, you would have won.”

Dave spoke of the thousands of people we had met going door-to-door in just about every neighborhood on the island. Everywhere we went, people would smile and shake our hands, and say nice things to me and about me.

At first I shared Dave’s feeling of betrayal, but soon realized these were just nice people saying nice things – and the responsibility for losing was mine, not theirs.

That night, after the final print-out, I remember going out to my car and taking the bumper stickers off. That’s how sad and dejected the feeling was.

But the next morning I went out to the car again, put new bumper stickers back on, held my head high and stood with my “Mahalo” sign on the highway at sunrise.

Including that first foray into politics in 1994, I’ve run 11 campaigns for election to public office, winning 7 and losing 4.

Trust me on this. Winning is so much more fun than not winning.

Losing means a majority of voters prefer your opponent over you, and that my friends is a difficult pill to swallow. But that’s the bottom line.

Candidates lose elections because they fail to inspire, convince, or motivate voters to show up and vote for them. That’s why Kamala Harris lost, that’s why I lost those 4 races, and that’s why every single candidate loses.

Money of course plays a huge role and SuperPac’s are always a convenient place to lay the blame. But in the presidential race there was big money in play on both sides. Nope it wasn’t money that beat Kamala Harris, but rather her failure to inspire and motivate a majority of voters.

Locally, the “blame the money game” is less credible because the districts are generally small enough to walk, and knock, and benefit from that all important “direct voter contact”.

The majority of local candidates who lose, more often than not, fail to actually run a “real” campaign.

They avoid the hard work of going door-to-door, they hesitate to ask people for help and for campaign donations, and they remain in their own safe circle of demographics surrounded by people just like themselves. When they do attend political forums or speak directly to voters, they talk about their own favorite issues instead of what’s important to the people who live in the district.

Then they lose and start the blame game. They blame the political parties, they blame the special interests, they blame the media, and they blame and denigrate the voters.

Kudo’s to those candidates who take responsibility and resist seeking someone else to blame. I wish you well and encourage you to build upon this experience, and try again in the future.

Note to those that are curious:
Here are the results of the 11 elections that I have been part of…7 wins and 4 not wins 😉

1994 Kauaʻi County Council – lost in Democratic (before it turned nonpartisan) Primary finishing #10

1998 Kauaʻi County Council – won #5 in Primary and #5 in General

2000 Kauaʻi County Council – won #4 in General

2002 Kauaʻi State Senate – Challenged incumbent Democrat Jonathan Chun and won in Primary and won in General (minor Republican opponent)

2004 Kauaʻi State Senate won in Primary and won General against challenger, former Kauaʻi Mayor Marryanne Kusaka

2006 U.S. Congress 2nd District lost in Primary
Note…Mazie Hirono now U.S. Senator won this Primary with less than 21% of the vote.

HIRONO, Mazie K. 24,487 20.7%
HANABUSA, Colleen 23,643 20.0%
MATSUNAGA, Matt 16,001 13.5%
HEE, Clayton 12,649 10.7%
HOOSER, Gary L. 10,730 9.1%
SCHATZ, Brian 8,254 7.0%
MENOR, Ron 8,030 6.8%
GARCIA, Nestor R. 4,479 3.8%
AIPOALANI, Hanalei Y. 2,688 2.3%
ZUIKER, Joe 1,174 1.0%

2008 Kauaʻi State Senate won in Primary and won General no strong/serious challenger

2010 Lieutenant Governor lost in Primary

SCHATZ, Brian 83,476 34.8%
BUNDA, Robert (Bobby) 45,986 19.2%
SAKAMOTO, Norman 44,488 18.5%
HOOSER, Gary L. 22,890 9.5%
BERG, Lyla B. 20,183 8.4%
KARAMATSU, Jon Riki 6,746 2.8%
HIRAKAMI, Steve 2,695 1.1%

2012 Kauaʻi County Council – won #6 in Primary and #7 in General

2014 Kauaʻi County Council – won #6 in Primary and #7 in General

2016 Kauaʻi County Council – lost #9 in Primary and #9 in General

Gary Hooser
former Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader
former Kauaʻi County Councilmember
now retired but continuing to serve, and doing what I can to help make our community a better place
First published in The Garden Island newspaper “Policy and Politics”

* NOTE this post has been edited to clarify the impact of this new law’s impact on agricultural land – the law’s primary legislative advocate has informed me repeatedly that agricultural zoned lands will not be impacted at all.

***Important heads-up to Kauai residents and land use attorneys – November 12 Planning Commission meeting

The below is important…but way down in the public policy, land-use, legal weeds…and it’s Kauai specific.

I’ll cut to the chase…my hope is that a friendly land-use attorney will challenge Act 39 which shifts specific subdivision powers away from the Kauai Planning Commission (and away from public input, public hearings, and public over-site) and grants that power to a single individual – the Kauai Planning Director.
.
On the upcoming November 12 Kauai Planning Commission agenda are many important items, one of which is:

Item #4 New Public Hearings

a. Amendment of Administrative Rules which details the applicability of Act 39 of the Thirty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024 that grants administrative authority to the Planning Director to review and act on subdivision applications for residential-zoned properties.

Note: What item #4 refers to in regular human speak –

The Kauai Planning Director is proposing the rules of subdivision approval be changed to facilitate the taking away power from the Kauai Planning Commission and giving that power to the Kauai Planning Director – because of a new law recently passed by the legislature.

This new law known as Act 39 taking away certain subdivision powers from the Kauai Planning Commission and giving it to the Kauai Planning Director was introduced and passed as SB3202 and supported by the Kauai Planning Director and by all 4 Kauai’s state legislators. It was passed into law without the input of the Kauai Planning Commission, nor was the Planning Commission ever formally informed of the implications, nor was their opinion ever requested, nor were any public hearings on this aspect of the measure ever held.

Further important note: Review and approval by the Kauai Planning Director does not require that public hearings be held, nor that the decision be made via a public process. The Sunshine Law does not apply to the Kauai Planning Director but only to the Kauai Planning Commission.

The Kauai County Charter specifically grants the power to approve subdivisions to the Kauai Planning Commission, NOT to the Kauai Planning Director. This new State law, supported by all 4 Kauai state legislators, and the Kauai Planning Director, and passed without input of the Kauai Planning Commission – supersedes and over-rides the Kauai County Charter (at least that’s what they are telling us).

The proposal does includes numerous “exceptions” to the new subdivision approval power granted to the Kauai Planning Director pertaining to flood plains, historical sites, and others including parcels designated as “important agricultural lands pursuant to part III of chapter 205”.

It’s also important to note that on Kauai the total amount of land zoned for agricultural use is 65,536 acres and the total that has been designated as important agricultural lands pursuant to part III of chapter 205 otherwise known as IAL lands – is only 37,410 acres.

Consequently 28,126 acres of agricultural land on Kauai are NOT specifically exempted in the law or in the proposed rules from the provisions of Act 39.

HOWEVER the new law’s primary advocate Representative Luke Evslin has emphatically reassured me that no agricultural zoned land will be impacted by this new law – period.

It’s unfortunate that in the law itself, and in the Planning Commission documents that present the proposed rules governing this new law only IAL lands are specifically named as being exempt instead stating all lands zoned agriculture are exempt – if that is indeed the case.

I’m checking with my attorney friends to confirm.

The entire Act 39 is here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/bills/SB3202_CD1_.HTM

The exact language of the section of Act 39 impacting the Planning Directors new power states:
(g) Notwithstanding any other law, county charter, county ordinance, or rule, any administrative authority to accept, reject, and approve or deny any application for subdivision, consolidation, or resubdivision of a parcel of land that has been fully zoned for residential use within the state urban district designated pursuant to section 205-2 shall be vested with the director of the county agency responsible for land use or a single county officer designated by ordinance; provided that:

(1) The parcel of land being subdivided is not located on a site that is:

(A) Designated as important agricultural land pursuant to part III of chapter 205;

(B) On wetlands, as defined in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 660 FW2;

(C) Within a floodplain as determined by maps adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(D) A habitat for protected or endangered species;

(E) Within a state historic district:

(i) Listed on the Hawaii register of historic places or national register of historic places;

(ii) Listed as a historic property on the Hawaii register of historic places or the national register of historic places; or

(iii) During the period after a nomination for listing on the Hawaii register of historic places or national register of historic places is submitted to the department of land and natural resource’s state historic preservation division and before the Hawaii historic places review board has rendered a decision; or

(F) Within lava zone 1 or lava zone 2, as designated by the United States Geological Survey;

(2) Any approval under this subsection shall be consistent with all county zoning, development standards, and requirements pursuant to part II of chapter 205A; and

(3) This subsection shall not apply to county powers within special management areas delineated pursuant to part II of chapter 205A.

Neither this subsection, any permit issued in accordance with this subsection, or structures developed pursuant to this subsection shall create any vested rights for any applicant, permit holder, or land owner.”

Excellent maps and breakdown of agricultural land use is here (see page 24 for Kauai) https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2020_Update_Ag_Baseline_Oahu_Hawaii_Kauai_v3.pdf

Maps showing IAL lands on all islands: https://luc.hawaii.gov/maps/important-agricultural-lands-ial-maps/

Total Acreage Designated Important Agricultural Lands – by Island https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IAL-voluntary-summary-updated-9-4-20.pdf

An official description of exceptions and other aspects of the proposed new administrative rules is here:

Click to access 2024-11-12-pc-agenda-packet-with-h.1.pdf

The entire Kauai Planning Commission Agenda is here: https://www.kauai.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/boards-and-commissions/planning-commission/planning-commission-meeting-agendas/2024-11-12-pc-agenda.pdf

No matter what happens in Washington D.C. in the coming days, here in Hawai’i we need to take a deep breath and turn our focus immediately toward local issues.

We may not be able to personally and directly impact national or global decision-making, but we can without a doubt make a difference here at home.

And that process begins today.

Very soon the House and Senate will “organize” and agree on who will sit in key leadership positions and who will chair the various legislative committees during the coming 2025/2026 biennium.

Kauaʻi Representative Nadine Nakamura has already been named as the incoming Speaker of the House – https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/11/legislators-to-name-1st-female-house-speaker-in-hawaii-history/

They’ll also be discussing and agreeing upon the House/Senate “internal rules”. These rules govern how power is disbursed among legislators and the manner in which bills are introduced, scheduled, amended, debated, and voted upon.

These rules are critically important. Citizen advocates and legislators alike should take the time to study and know the rules – see https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/HouseRules.pdf and https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/SenateRules.pdf

While digging into the weeds and reading the rules sounds tedious and boring (and it is), it’s essential to understand “how it really works” (and a bit disgusting once you find out).

For example, the rules as written today allow the Committee Chair the power to “kill bills” (public policy initiatives), without a hearing, without public debate, and without a vote by the committee. This practice which allows the killing of bills in the dark, and behind closed doors, is inherently corrupt.

At the present time, Bills are sometimes amended verbally, without public notice, and even after the vote has already been taken. This practice must stop.

The rules also allow every single bill to be referred to the House Finance Committee or in the Senate, the Committee on Ways and Means – thus giving the “money-chairs” total control. The “money-chair” can kill a bill without granting it a hearing or a vote, even if it has passed through every other committee, and even if there’s no money involved whatsoever.

Suffice it to say, the existing House/Senate rules need a serious overhaul.

Fortunately there’s ongoing discussion among some Representatives in the House to make the changes needed.

We can all help by letting our own District Representative and Senator know the status quo is unacceptable, and rule changes are long overdue.

Scroll down to see my sample email

Kauaʻi residents, please take a moment and email TODAY –

Senate President Ronald Kouchi senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
Incoming House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (North Shore to Wailua Houselots) repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Luke Evslin (Wailua Homesteads to Puhi) repevslin@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Dee Morikawa ‘Ōma’o to Kekaha repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov

As always, keep all communications brief, polite and professional.

If you agree that the rules need to be changed, first and foremost Kauaʻi residents please let the above 4 key legislators know.

To residents on every island – please contact your district Representative and Senator know as well how you feel about this issue.

All House Members contact: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/legislature/legislators.aspx?chamber=H
All Senators contact: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/legislature/legislators.aspx?chamber=S

Next, ask them to help make it happen by amending the rules to:

Revoke the power of Committee Chairs to kill Bills without a public hearing or a public vote.

Require all Bill amendments be presented publicly in writing and in advance.

Allow the referral of Bills to the Finance or WAM Committee only when there’s a direct and tangible impact on the State budget.

The above rule changes are not complicated and do not require a “year-round legislative session”. Colorado, North Dakota, and New Hampshire presently require every bill to have a public hearing. None of these 3 states have a “year-round legislative session”.

My hope is that Kauaʻi residents especially will send our legislators a simple email now, expressing strong support for these changes – and that our 3 Representatives and Senator will listen and act accordingly.

To be absolutely clear – every State Representative and every State Senator needs to hear this message. A sample of which is below:

Dear Representative Evslin,
Congratulations on your recent election win and mahalo for your service to Kauaʻi.

I’m writing today requesting that you read this Civil Beat story and take steps to change the internal rules of the House of Representatives to fix the problems: 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/

Thank you in advance for your help in making the changes needed to correct the present situation which I believe is inherently corrupt.

Thank you also for confirming receipt of this email and letting me know your position on this important issue. Do you support changing the House Rules to address the issues raised by Maui resident Paele Kiakona?

Sincerely,

Gary Hooser
Resident
Wailua Homesteads.

Last night I received a text from a friend asking “Is your dad ok?”.

Of course he’s ok. We are all ok. Are we disappointed. Saddened. Even horrified. Short answer is yes.

Of course we are. Does that change who we are?

No. Of course not. If anything it strengthens our resolve and determination to advocate for the wronged and injustices that are happening. To resist cruelty, racism. Create space for individuals to be who they want to be. Support people fleeing from atrocities happening in their home countries. To be there for the under voiced minorities.

It is time to hold our loved ones take a breath, remember what we love, then rally stronger then we have before.

We live in a democracy. This is what happens. People enter a race in where one person wins. Does not mean we hide and cry in shame that we lost.

No. In fact hell no. We organize. Regroup and work harder. Because if we stop. If we give up. Then we lose.

Vice president Kamala Harris tried her best. Trump did better. That doesn’t change who we are or the morals and values we hold dear to our hearts.

“It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone.”

“Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world, but to change ourselves.”
Mahatma Gandhi

Written and posted on FaceBook by Dylan Hooser 11/06/24

Below photo of Dylan Hooser diving with the sharks.

He doesn’t know me at all and I only know him as jersey #6. He’s probably 9 years old, maybe 10. His actions on the soccer field this past Saturday should make us all very proud, and remind us of how civil society is supposed to act.

We were there at Lydgate Park to watch our 8 year old grandson Rixon play his final game of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) season. It was the first game of the day.

Player #6 was on the opposing team who were beating our guys pretty badly. It was in the third quarter. There was a pause in play and the players each took up their positions, facing off against each other, waiting for the referee to resume the game.

Player #6 and his opponent were facing each other, standing only a few feet apart. Then #6 pointed down at his opponents feet – telling him his shoe lace was untied.

Both players looked over to the referee who then continued to pause the play so the young boy could tie his shoe. With the game stopped and everyone on the sidelines watching, the young boy reached down and struggled unsuccessfully to retie his shoe.

Jersey #6 without prompting or fanfare, then kneeled down and proceeded to help his young opponent tie his shoe.

It was an awesome moment really. Those of us privileged to witness this selfless and impromptu act by young #6, offered a spontaneous yet subdued applause as the game resumed.

To young #6 I’m sure the act was nothing special. He was just following his na’au and did what he felt he needed to do at that particular moment in time.

He could have just looked away and ignored the other boys untied shoe, and consequently the other boy could have tripped and hurt himself. He could have just stood there and watched his opponent struggle with his inability to tie his own shoe.

But he didn’t. He saw a problem, called attention to it, and then helped fix it.

Wow. Just wow.

He didn’t criticize, or mock, or brag, or call attention in any way to his own good deed.

This little man #6, just seemed to know instinctively that “we are all in this together” and those who can, should, and must, assist those who cannot.

What does this have to do with policy and politics you might be wondering?

Well just about everything is the short answer.

Some will say we are all in this together and we have a responsibility to help each other, while other’s say it’s the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, and only the strong survive.

#6 has never had a class in political science nor studied the theory of natural selection. He acted out of instinct, and he did the right thing.

Mahalo plenty to you young man and to your ohana who supports and nurtures you.

And to the young fellow who couldn’t get that shoe tied just right. Please know it’s perfectly natural and normal for a young guy like you to not have a lot of experience in this. I checked with my grandson Rixon who is 8 years old. He confirmed that every single one of his friends has worn rubbah slippahs from the day they were born. He says tying shoe laces is not something most of his classmates are good at.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter which political party you belong to, or who you support or do not support for political office – because we are all in this together. We must always remember this lesson from that young man wearing jersey #6 and do our best to help each other.

While it may sound a bit corny, I believe every one of us wants to change the world for the better. We each see the injustice, the pain, the hardship, and the ugliness, and each of us want to help in some way.

Over time some become jaded and perhaps forget the earlier moments of idealism. But deep down each of us know in our heart and soul that we as individuals, have the power to make the world a better place – in big ways and in small.

Imagine if we each acted daily on that belief.

Imagine the combined power of each of us daily helping the elderly neighbor next door cut the grass or take out their trash. What if we on occasion took some small amount of food down to the food bank, and/or made a $10 reoccurring financial contribution to a worthy cause. How about if every single time we went went for a walk – we made it a point to pick up litter instead of stepping over it?

Imagine that. Imagine the positive energy that would flow from taking one small step each day toward improving the world around us – every single day. Then multiply that by all of us.

Yes, of course we have to put the oxygen mask on our own family members first, before we try to help others.

I get that, but I also believe that “we are all in this together”. At least that’s the creed I live by.

So, put that mask on your youngest, then turn to your neighbor and help them as well.

Then plant a tree, recycle your cans, paper, and food waste – and take ownership of your democracy by filling in that ballot that came in the mail.

Civic engagement and community service go hand-in-hand. Putting family first is a must but it’s not a valid excuse for neglecting the other.

We’re all busy. We all have bills to pay, health and family issues to deal with etc. However, we’re not so busy we can’t pick up litter when we’re outside, or offer our neighbor a hand when they need it, or simply share a smile and kind word with a stranger over the counter.

Voting by mail, or dropping off your ballot at a Voter Service Center takes 15 to 45 minutes every two years – max. If you’re not sure who to vote for, Google the candidates, ask a friend or neighbor whom you respect, or visit https://garyhooser.blog/ 😉

Ditto to making the phone call or sending an email to your legislator or Councilmember a couple of times per year. It takes only a few minutes and the cumulative impact is potentially huge.

Voting, sending off that email testimony, helping your neighbor, picking up trash along the road, and other small acts of civic and community service are essential basic components of citizenship – but to move forward, we need that and more.

From those who can give more, we need more – more time, more fundraising help, more involvement in community and more participation in policy and politics.

You know who you are so please step up. Don’t wait to be dragged kicking and screaming down the aisle of community and civic service – step up and step forward now.

Our world desperately needs new leadership at all levels, public and private. We need leaders who share in the “We are all in this together” creed and who put the needs of people and the planet first – above greed and corporate profits.

If you’re interested, if you feel a calling, if you have roots in your community, if you have some track record of leadership, and perhaps you’re not sure and want to learn more – I’d be happy to possibly help or at the minimum share with you my experience working in the world of policy and politics.

Just call – 808-652-4279
Seriously. Texting first is probably best, email of course works as well GaryLHooser@gmail.com – but if you really and truly want to increase your leadership role in our community – lmk.

Gary 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.

First published October 19th in the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.

The biggest threat to democracy is not unregulated immigration, but rather the unregulated and unlimited flow of money into political campaigns – on both sides of the aisle.

Billionaire Elon Musk has given $75 million to a SuperPac supporting the election of Donald Trump and promised to give away $1 million each day to a registered voter who signs his petition (illegal) until November’s election. (Reuters)

Hundreds of millions of dollars from big business interests have also been raised in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Here at home, a Honolulu based SuperPac “For A Better Tomorrow” just invested $84,672 in support of incumbent Councilmember and former Mayor Bernard Carvalho, former Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro, and incumbent Councilmember Addison Bulosan.

That’s $28,224 apiece.

Compared to national numbers, it’s a piddling amount.

But for local elections, it’s huge.

For context, $28,224 exceeds the entire campaign budgets for 85% of the 14 Council candidates running.

For further context, the maximum legal amount any individual may donate to a Council campaign is $2,000.

According to the Campaign Spending Commission,“For a Better Tomorrow” hired Red Horse Strategies on 10/08/24 for $22,307 and Targeted Platform Media, LLC on 10/15/24 for $62,365 – to promote their 3 candidates.

And there’s more to come.

“For a Better Tomorrow” is a “NonCandidate Committee SuperPac” with nearly $8 million dollars in the bank courtesy of the Hawaii Carpenters Market Recovery Program Fund.

The political mailer that arrived at my house on Saturday was twice the size of others I’d received, and was promoting 3 different Council candidates who appeared “linked” together as a slate.

The image literally has the 3 of them together on a string.

It’s only after reading the fine (and very small hard to read) print that one discovers, “Paid for by For a Better Tomorrow without the approval or authority of the candidate.”

So it’s clear (but not really). The candidates themselves had nothing to do with running this advertisement. At least they didn’t approve or authorize it. Perhaps they discussed it, were asked their opinion of it, or were made aware of it? Or perhaps not.

In any case, it’s clear they did not approve or authorize it, and you really can’t blame the candidates for the work of a “non-candidate committee – SuperPac”.

A SuperPac supports candidates who will support the SuperPac’s agenda. At least, that’s the expectation.

We each vote for, and support candidates we believe support our own values and our own policy agenda. I’ve supported candidates via a non-candidate committee in the past as well – albeit at a tiny fraction of the amounts being spent by For a Better Tomorrow SuperPac.

The whole thing stinks. Political campaigns should not be won or lost based on who has the wealthiest friends.

In a controversial 2010 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, reversed century-old campaign finance restrictions and enabled corporations and other outside groups to spend unlimited funds on elections. Brennan Center for Justice

A 5–4 majority decided limiting “independent political spending” violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

Lawmakers at all levels need to stop making excuses and do something.

If unlimited expenditures cannot be banned, then dramatically increase the basic regulation requirements at all levels.

For starters think: Increased disclosure, special sales taxes (think alcohol, short-term rentals, tobacco, etc), escalating administrative fees.“Fine print disclosures” used in mailers must be made large enough to easily read, and verbal disclosures on radio and tv must be clear enough to actually understand what’s being said.

Yes, it’s a bit ironic. We are counting on elected officials who are counting on SuperPacs to win – to do the right thing.

Gary Hooser

First Published 10/23/2024 in The Garden Island newspaper

Note: I like carpenters. I also like unions. But I don’t like SuperPacs backed by big money and big development attempting to buy their way into our elections. In my 20 years of working in the field of policy and politics, I’ve come to know and expect their annual attacks at the State legislature aimed at weakening: environmental protections, HRS 343, the State Land Use Commission, the County Planning Commissions, and other important laws that protect and preserve the natural environment and the over-all public interest.

The ballots have arrived and questions are streaming in from friends on every island…asking how I would vote “if I lived in the District” – Below includes Maui, Oahu (parts), Kauaʻi, OHA Statewide, and constitutional amendments. Big Island – I’m still mulling and researching and talking to friends who live there.

On Maui, this excellent Civil Beat story by Leo Azambuja describes the County Council competition pretty clearly. Maui Vs Maui: Candidates Square Off In County Council Power Struggle (https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/10/maui-vs-maui-candidates-square-off-in-county-council-power-struggle/)

It’s important to remember every voter on Maui can vote for each and every one of these exceptional individuals. You don’t have to live in Wailuku, or Kahului, or on Molokai to vote for those candidates! So please – where-ever you live in Maui County – cast your vote for each and every one!

Kelly Takaya King (https://www.kellykingformaui.com/) – South Maui
Carol Lee Kamekona (https://www.carolleekamekona.com/) – Kahului
Nara Boone (https://votenaraboone.com/) – Makawao-Haiku-Paia
James Forrest (https://www.voteforrest2024.com/) – Wailuku
Jocelyn Cruz (https://www.votecruz2024.com) – Upcountry District.
Shane Sinenci (https://votesinenci.com/) – East Maui
Gabe Johnson (https://gabe4council.com/) – Lanai
Tamara Paltin (https://tamarapaltinformaui.com/) – West Maui
Keani Rawlins-Fernandez (https://votekeani.com/) – Molokai

As to the State House of Representatives on Maui – these three are in my opinion, totally awesome.
Terez Amato (https://terezamato.nationbuilder.com/) – State House District 11
Mahina Poepoe (https://www.votemahina.com/) – State House District 13
Elle Cochran (https://voteellecochran.com/) – State House District 14
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On Kauaʻi – To better understand my thoughts on the Kauaʻi political/electoral lay of the land, please read One Kauaʻi County Council vote for Fern Anuenue Holland can make a difference (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/10/17/one-kaua%ca%bbi-county-council-vote-for-fern-anuenue-holland-can-make-a-difference/) and support Council Candidate Fern Anuenue Holland (https://www.fernanuenue.com/) –
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What about State Senate District 23 including the Windward Oahu communities Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Laie, Kahuku to Mokuleia, Schofield Barracks and Kunia Camp? My choice for this race is Ben Shafer (https://www.benshafer.org/) .

Ben Shafer is the real deal. If you care as deeply as I do about protecting our planet, you will appreciate the person who is Ben Shafer. Please tell your friends and neighbors to go the extra mile and help Ben take his campaign all the way to victory on November 5th.
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I’ve been getting more than a few people inquiring as to my thoughts on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (https://www.oha.org/). After consulting with kanaka friends on every island. My votes will be going to:

OHA At Large – Lei Ahu Isa
Molokai – Kunani Nihipali
Kauaʻi – Dan Ahuna
Note: None of the above OHA candidates appear to have campaign websites.
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“Rebuilding the House”

At the top of my “rebuilding the House” list is supporting the election of Corey Rosenlee (https://www.coreyrosenlee.com) House District 39 – Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili, and Portion of Waipahu, and Anthony Makana Paris (https://votemakana.com/) House District 42 Portions of Varona Village, ‘Ewa, and Kapolei, Fernandez Village.

Both Rosenlee and Paris fall into the “change-maker” category and their election to the Hawai’i State House would shift the balance of power towards people and the planet – of this I have no doubt whatsoever.

“We need to find, support, and elect political leaders who are integrity-based decision-makers, who will always vote their conscience, and are driven by the courage of their convictions.” From Hooser blog Looking for Change-Makers (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/03/28/looking-for-change-makers/)

One other candidate for the State House of Representatives who comes highly recommended by friends in the legislature is Desire Desoto (https://www.desiredesoto.com/) HD 45 Wai‘anae, Mākaha.

Desire’s resume says it all as to her values, experience, and priorities: 28 years of service working in Wai’anae Public Schools, 2019 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist, 2018 Hawai’i School Counselor of the Year, Current Member, Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Board of Directors, Former Alternative Learning Programs Teacher, Lifeguard, Swimming Instructor/Coach, All-American Swimmer, Olympic Trials Qualifier, Professional Surfer, Stunt Woman, Mental Health Therapist, and much much more.

If supporting the youth of today and visionary leaders of tomorrow is as important to you as it is to me – a vote for 21 year old Asheemo Daily is in order. Asheemo “Koda” is running for the State House District 48 Kaneohe, Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Waiahole and Kaaawa.

And of course we must continue supporting these House candidates:

House District 5 (South Kona, Na’alehu, Kalehu, Ka’u, Pahala) Jeanné Kapela (https://www.jeannekapela.com/)

House District 20 (Lē‘ahi, Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu) Tina Grandinetti (https://www.tinaforhawaii.com/)

House District 29 (Kahauiki, Kalihi, Kapalama) Ikaika Lardizabal Hussey (https://www.ikaika.house/)

House District 46 (Portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village, Waialua, Mokulē’ia) Amy Perruso (https://www.voteamyperruso.com/)
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Last but certainly not least: Please pass the word and vote YES on Constitutional Amendment Question #1 (https://www.yesformarriage.org/) to protect marriage equality. There is a second question regarding the selection of judges that I am also voting Yes on.
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Each County also has questions pertaining to County Charter Amendments which I’ve had no time to review nor really feel qualified to answer – except for Kauaʻi County – I’m voting yes on all Kauaʻi County proposed Charter Amendments.
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Please know the above is simply how I would vote, if I lived in the district…I strongly encourage you to do the research…and make your best most informed choice…but bottom line is be involved and VOTE!

In case you missed it, please take the time to read and SHARE widely this missive I wrote recently “Voting Conundrum – The Party or the Person?” (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/10/04/voting-conundrum-the-party-or-the-person/) The feedback I’ve gotten so far indicates this column resonates deeply with many voters.

Please, let’s do this.

Gary L. Hooser (https://www.garyhooser.com/about)
Former Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader
HOLD THE DATE – morning of November 2!
The Hawai’i (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) Workers Center (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) is tentatively planning a community march through Waikiki in support of the striking hotel workers and all the labor issues the community has been dealing with lately. State tuned.

Full Disclosure: My missives and rants are my own personal thoughts and do not represent any organization or group…it’s just me Gary Hooser, sharing my thoughts with friends and networks. The minimal costs associated with maintaining and sending the email and posting on my blog (https://garyhooser.blog/) …are paid directly and personally by me.

So who you going to vote for?

Some will keep that answer private and others will wear it on their sleeve (or their car bumper or on the yard sign in front of their house).

As a political columnist writing an opinion column, I’m expected to offer readers my opinion – of which I have many.

But for today’s column I am offering only one.

The race to elect the President of the United States will not be decided by Hawaii’s 4 electoral votes, but rather by the 7 “swing states” – Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

On Kauaʻi, our federal legislative and state races are a done deal. There are no serious challengers (as defined by candidates running active campaigns and spending the money needed to win) on the Republican ticket.

Incumbents at all levels will win reelection with large margins.

100% of the “action” here at home is at the Kauaʻi County Council level.

Fern Anuenue Holland, coming in at #9 in the Primary Election is the only challenger within striking distance.

Consequently: Voters interested in bringing to the Kauaʻi County Council new energy, new ideas, and a new spirit of “getting the job done” – must vote for Fern Anuenue Holland.

That of course is my opinion, and it’s formed by serving on the Kauaʻi County Council myself for 8 years, and through my experience working with Fern Holland and with every single incumbent now on the Council as well.

Fern is one of those rare candidates who’s truly a “change-maker”.

While most who sit at the table in the Council chambers are hesitant to rock the boat or explore the boundaries. Fern Holland will likely be the one at the table to raise her hand and suggests the Council be more proactive in its approach to problem-solving.

While 4 votes are needed to actually implement anything at all, Fern will ensure that the public conversation is engaged, and the possibility of change is at least placed on the table.

I for one believe our community is badly in need of more “change-makers” and less “going along to get along”.

Simply balancing the budget and issuing flowery Resolutions is not enough. We need a County Council that actively seeks out solutions successfully utilized already in other municipalities.

Whether it’s supporting small farmers, increasing affordable housing, drug abuse and mental health issues, or the critical nature of our land-fill situation – there is no shortage of public policy challenges.

Can one person really make a difference you might ask?

I think so.

A single change-maker who understands the value of working together in mutual respect with the other Councilmembers, who will do the detailed research needed to develop real solutions, and who knows how to bring community to the table in support – can be the catalyst we need.

There are of course other good and solid members of the Council now sitting in some of those seats. But what’s missing is that invaluable catalyst.

We need Fern Anuenue Holland at the table in the Historic County Building.

And while the ballot says you may “vote for up to 7”, a single “one-vote plunk” will have the largest impact. Bottom line is only vote for those whom you really and truly believe in – certainly no more than 3 or 4 max.

At least that’s my opinion.

Gary Hooser
Policy & Politics
First published in The Garden Island Newspaper 10/16/24