GaryHooser's Blog

In a previous blog post we discussed House Rules – Rules of the House – Up Close and Personal

I also wrote earlier (copied below) about House Speaker Nakamura appointing a 4 member committee to review House Rules and possibly make recommendations – but also noted, that contrary to existing rules and the State Constitution, there seemed to be no intent on the part of the Speaker or the Committee to actually hold a public hearing, and allow public testimony on this issue.

After reading the existing rules again closely today, I’ve discovered it’s even worse than I previously thought.

It seems Speaker Nakamura and her leadership team are already breaking the existing rules in two areas:

#1) The appointment of the Vice Speaker to be a voting member of 4 committees is clearly a violation of existing rules.

#2) Unless the recently appointed committee conducts it’s meetings and votes in public as if it were a “standing committee”, that will also be breaking the existing House rules – and the Hawaii Constitution (see below reference to constitution)

The Vice Speaker, Representative Linda Ichiyama has been officially appointed to serve as a voting member of 4 committees Consumer Protection & Commerce, Legislative Management, Public Safety, Water & Land –

HOWEVER THE RULES CLEARLY STATE SHE SHALL BE AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER WITHOUT A VOTE – EXCEPT SHE SHALL SERVE AS A VOTING MEMBER OF COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT.

It is my understanding that this rule has been in place from the beginning…as in the first rules approved in 1959.

Rule 3. The Vice Speaker The Vice Speaker shall consult with and advise the standing committees and assist them in their work as an ex officio member without vote and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Speaker; provided that the Vice Speaker shall serve as a voting member of the Committee on Legislative Management. In the absence of the Speaker, the Vice Speaker shall exercise all the duties and powers of the Speaker.

Rule 14. Special Committee 14.1. The Speaker may appoint special committees for special or temporary purposes to consider and report on such special or temporary matters referred to it. 14.2. Special committees shall consist of not less than three members each, unless otherwise ordered by the House, to serve until discharged or until finally reporting on such matters referred to them. 14.3. Meetings of special committees shall be conducted in the same manner as provided for standing committees.

11.5. Standing Committee Meetings. (1) Meetings (hearings and informational briefings) shall be held in public, be simultaneously broadcast, and be recorded for subsequent viewing on the legislative platform. The public may attend meetings in person or via broadcast. Meeting notices shall include instructions relating to public participation and public testimony. In the event of any unforeseeable or unavoidable circumstances that are beyond the control of the House or any other party, the committee may (a) proceed without simultaneous broadcast or (b) cancel or reschedule the meeting.

Rule 19. Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure 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. Open Committee Meetings Every committee authorized and/or established under Part III of these Rules shall be a committee of the House. Every meeting of a committee of the House or of a committee composed of a member or members from the House and the Senate held for the purpose of making decisions on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public; provided that certain kinds of meetings, including executive sessions, organizational meetings, partisan caucuses, and meetings the subject of which involves the invasion of a person’s right to privacy if made public, need not be open to the public. Every meeting of a special committee, interim committee, or the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure shall be noticed in the same manner as applicable to a standing committee.

* Note1: There has been no notice of any meeting scheduled or held by the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure – So either they have not yet met and have no immediate plans to meet, or they are meeting in private which violates the House Rules.

Note2: The purpose of the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure is specifically to review and make recommendations on Rules and Procedure and NOT to “organize” the House as that organization is not accomplished via a designated committee but through informal discussions that culminate in a majority consensus. In the matter before the committee today especially, the House is already “organized” and the only item designated to the committee is to review and make recommendations on the rules.

I welcome any legal minds…to tell me I’m wrong or to point out other areas that we should be looking at or strategies we might employ to encourage House Leadership to follow their own rules and do the right thing.

Here’s my earlier notes.
According to a memo circulated to House members –  House Speaker Nakamura has appointed a 4 member committee, Rep. Linda Ichiyama, Rep. Sean Quinlan, Rep. Chris Todd, and Rep. Lauren Matsumoto  to review House Rules and possibly make recommendations.

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov
repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov
reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Unfortunately, I’m hearing that contrary to existing House rules and the State constitution – there may be no public meetings of this committee, possibly no public testimony will be allowed, and that all discussion and decision-making may be done behind closed doors. The Committee has only 10 days from its formation on 12/31 to review existing House Rules and the existing House Financial and Administrative Manual and report its recommendations prior to January 10.

State Constitution Article III, Section 12 “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

Truly can’t make this stuff up.

I encourage all who support reforming the rules to contact the 5 Representatives listed above, AND your own district Representative – TODAY.  Professionally and politely please – Request notification of any meetings to be held by this committee per Rule 20. Request that the committee take the time needed to hold proper public hearings, and allow people from every island to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on this important topic –

In a previous blog post we discussed the need to reform the House Rules and increase transparency and accountability – Up Close and Personal “Meet the new House boss, same as the old House boss”. 

Here’s a quick and rough update.

According to a memo circulated to House members –  House Speaker Nakamura has appointed a 4 member committee, Rep. Linda Ichiyama, Rep. Sean Quinlan, Rep. Chris Todd, and Rep. Lauren Matsumoto  to review House Rules and possibly make recommendations.

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov
repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov
reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Unfortunately, I’m hearing that contrary to existing House rules and the State constitution – there may be no public meetings of this committee, possibly no public testimony will be allowed, and that all discussion and decision-making may be done behind closed doors. The Committee has only 10 days from its formation on 12/31 to review existing House Rules and the existing House Financial and Administrative Manual and report its recommendations prior to January 10.

State Constitution Article III, Section 12 “Every meeting of a committee in either house or of a committee comprised of a member or members from both houses held for the purpose of making decision on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

Truly can’t make this stuff up.

I encourage all who support reforming the rules to contact the 5 Representatives listed above, AND your own district Representative – TODAY.  Professionally and politely please – Request that the committee take the time needed to hold proper public hearings, and allow people from every island to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on this important topic –

Stop talking and just do it please. Just jump in the deep-end and start swimming. Trust me, it’ll be ok. Yes, learn from others who’ve gone before you – but take that critical first step now, today…before you talk yourself out of it yet again.

I’m talking of course about getting ACTIVELY involved in the world of policy and politics. Whether as a grass-roots community “issue advocate”, an active member of a non-profit advocacy group, or candidate for election to public office – now, today, is the moment in time to start.

It’s the only way we win. And it’s not going to happen unless you step up. Without increased and sustained civic engagement from regular folks like you – people and the planet will lose (or rather will keep losing).

What does winning look like? For starters, it’s affordable housing and healthcare. It’s a world that values protecting our natural environment, clean water, air, and food.

We’re not asking for much but we’re not getting any of it unless we each step up and take personal responsibility for our collective future.

Read The Scheme by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island). It’s about how dark money is taking over our government. It will blow you away.

We cannot win the money game. The only way to beat big money is through collective, individual, grass-roots action, starting at the local level.

Which is why I’m here today to encourage, cajole, plead, beg, and hopefully inspire you to get more involved.

The first step is to take your concerns beyond social media, directly to the policy-makers.

Start with the Hawai’i State legislature. The 2025 Regular Session opens on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:00 a.m.. The Capitol “Public Access Room” offers excellent and free advocacy training https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/

To be effective you must communicate most frequently with the elected official who represents you and your district. Here’s an official, easy, online tool that provides the name and contact info of your own district State Representative and Senator: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

For first timers, perhaps start with a very short message:

“Aloha, As a constituent living in the district I’m writing to request your support for publicly funded “Clean Elections”, reform of “legislative rules” to increase transparency, and strengthening of campaign spending laws. Thank you in advance for responding to this email so I might know your position on these important issues.”

Send an email today please. It’s important that your district legislator know asap what issues are important to you, and that you are paying attention.

Of course choose whatever topic/issues most important to you. Just send the darn email!

Once you’ve sent the email, consider taking your advocacy to the next level and join the Clean Elections Coalition, Common Cause, Our Hawai’i, and the Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) – for a Good Governance Lobby Day – Thursday, January 9, 2024 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Hawai’i State Capitol.

This is a great way build relationships with legislators and other advocates. To attend the Good Government Lobby Day, register please with the nonprofit advocacy groups organizing the gathering at: https://tinyurl.com/57xskwne

If you’re already actively involved, have roots in the community, and some proven track record of leadership (school or PTA involvement, soccer coach, canoe club, Rotary, small business, nonprofit, etc) – maybe it’s time to throw your hat in the ring and run for election to public office.

2026 is right around the corner. If you’re serious about running and winning, now is the time to commit. If this is you, consider the HAPA Kuleana Academy – https://www.hapahi.org/kuleana-academy-program

There you have it. 3 steps representing 3 levels of activity for those of you wanting to help change the world.

Please. Follow your naʻau. Take a step or two today. We need you.

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

Full disclosure. I’m the volunteer Board President of HAPA. The Board sets policy and hires the ED who runs the organization. I get paid nothing and HAPA is not connected to this blog, nor with my email, and does not approve, or in any way direct my writing. https://www.hapahi.org

Just finished reading The Scheme by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island)
Wow. Just wow.

I’m a big boy and been working in the policy and political environment with my eyes wide open for the past 20 years, and this book is still blowing me away.

I strongly encourage all who are serious about understanding what’s really going on…to read this book.

Written by a very credible US Senator, dense yet easy to read, and extensively researched.

He connects the dots we all knew/know are/were there already…but to have it described so clearly by such a credible voice is amazing, troubling, unsettling…

Words fail me…

Hard to truly fathom the extent…and broad implications of the huge amounts of dark money flowing into all areas of government and the public sector.

While the book primarily focuses on the take-over of our judicial system by big money rightwing interests…It’s clear that massive amounts of dark money are consciously, deliberately, and systematically assaulting government from all angles and manipulating every aspect of public policy and life.

Courts
Elections
Climate
Healthcare
Food
Water
Wages
Housing
Media
Etc

My brain is wired such that it always pivots to “What can/must we do?” and “think global and act local”.

My first thought is that locally this means fighting back against SuperPacs trying to buy our local elections. It probably also means pulling back the curtain to expose who is actually behind the dark money…not just what 501c4 or what corporation or organization…but what people are actually writing the checks and pulling the levers to pick and choose who they want to win and lose…at all levels…from Governor to State House and Senate to County Council races on every island…and of course our U.S. Congressional delegation is a target as well.

This kind of investigation is above my pay grade but am hoping others can dig in. Also hoping (perhaps naively so) that our legislature will pass additional disclosure laws forcing the dark money into the sunshine. We can’t win the money game…we can’t out raise the big money…but in our small communities and small election districts…we can and we must…beat them on the ground with people power.

A political fact of life is that people who give money to candidates, have greater access to those candidates. When those candidates turn into legislators or council members – they’ll be obligated to those who helped them which at minimum means an open door and a direct line of communication.

The good news is the State of Maine and a handful of others have come up with a better way.

I’ve never thought much about Maine. I just know it’s a small state located somewhere on the Canadian border – and it’s cold.

However, a friend who now lives there sent me a report that warmed me right up. You might say it lit a fire.

“The Maine Clean Elections program remains strong, with most candidates for the Maine legislature choosing to run Clean in 2024. We are also proud that in the second year of Portland’s new Clean Elections program, all 12 candidates for city council ran Clean.” Maine Citizens for Clean Elections

Wow. Just wow.

Clean Publicly Funded Elections: Wouldn’t that be a nice present for Hawai’i to unwrap at the end of the upcoming 2025 legislative session?

“The Maine Clean Election Act (MCEA) established a voluntary program of full public financing of political campaigns for candidates running for Governor, State Senator, and State Representative…To become eligible, candidates must demonstrate community support through collecting a minimum number of checks or money orders of $5 more made payable to the Maine Clean Election Fund. After a candidate begins to receive MCEA funds from the State, he or she cannot accept private contributions, and almost all goods and services received must be paid for with MCEA funds.” maine.gov

In addition to Maine – Arizona, Connecticut and New Mexico also have comprehensive publicly funded clean election laws firmly in place.

For those worried about giving away taxpayer money to the criminal, the unglued, and the out to lunch – experience in these 4 states show that risk is small as the “compliance requirements” (translation – rules you must follow and paperwork you must fill out) are significant.

In the coming 2025 Hawai’i legislative session, there will no doubt be Clean Election initiatives proposed that mirror the successful programs already in place elsewhere.

We must work hard in the coming months to ensure passage of a strong Clean Elections initiative here in Hawai’i.

“How am I possibly going to raise $20,000 – $30,000, to run a campaign?” is the question preventing many a good person from taking up the call to run for election to public office.

I know from personal experience even the skimpiest of campaign budgets require yard signs, banners, web/internet and print media promotion, brochures to hand out, and at least one mailer, preferably two or more.

In order to win, voters need to know who you are and what you stand for. To win you must also “look like a real candidate” and real candidates have campaign signs and banners, and do at least some advertising.

In Hawai’i (but not Maine, Arizona, Connecticut, and New Mexico) this means a candidate must solicit money from private interests to back their campaign.

There’s a “hierarchy of political access” and large donors do not wait in line.

When policy-makers are ultimately faced with voting on issues directly impacting their donors, they’ll always consider the needs of those donors and do whatever possible to accommodate them.

It’s just the way the world works. It doesn’t mean that every policy-maker will lie, cheat, steal, or cause harm to the general public interest for their donors – but of course some do.

And all are pulled, nudged, encouraged, and sometimes bullied, to go down that path.

Passing “Clean Elections” legislation would be a huge and positive step away from the pay-to-play culture that permeates Hawai’i politics today.

Mahalo and Merry Christmas to our friends in Maine leading the way.

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 12/25/24

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