GaryHooser's Blog

The Chair of House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) Representative David Tarnas from the Big Island, along with the other committee members including my own Kauai District #16 Representative Luke Evslin – recently killed the Clean Elections bill SB2381.

Despite the measure passing unanimously out of the Senate and being one of the top “getting corruption out of campaigns and elections” priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii – this handful of Reps have decided nope – not a good idea.

Any one of them could have raised their hand in committee and requested the measure be amended to satisfy concerns, and/or the decision put off for a few days to allow for time to offer such amendments – and there’s still time to do so if they really want to make this happen.

Please reach out today, asap, and prior to Wednesday March 20th – make the calls, send the emails, share this message with your friends and networks.

David Tarnas (Chair) 808-586-8510 reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov
Gregg Takayama (VC) 808-586-6340 reptakayama@capitol.hawaii.gov
Luke Evslin 808-586-6270 repevslin@capitol.hawaii.gov
Sonny Ganaden 808-586-6010 repganaden@capitol.hawaii.gov
Daniel Holt 808-586-6180 repholt@capitol.hawaii.gov
Linda Ichidama 808-586-6220 repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov
Greggor Ilagan 808-586-6530 repilagan@capitol.hawaii.gov
Sam Satoru Kong 808-586-8455 repkong@capitol.hawaii.gov
Tyson Miyake 808-586-9444 repmiyake@capitol.hawaii.gov
Kanani Souza 808-586-8465 repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

Speaker of the House Representative Scott Saiki who is not on the Committee but to a great extent, controls its outcome – 808-586-6100 repsaiki@capitol.hawaii.gov

SB2381 Clean Elections, has overwhelming popular support of a wide cross-section of people on every island. It’s based on a proven model now in place in Maine and Connecticut that provides basic public funding to candidates for public office. In return those candidates agree to strict spending limits and are prohibited from accepting any private donations (above $5).

There’s still a chance to save SB2381 but action must be taken swiftly and it must be of a sufficient volume to gain the attention of those legislators responsible for killing it in committee.

O’ahu friends, please attend a rally/press-conference at the Capitol, tomorrow Monday at 2:30pm.

Everyone – Everywhere – Call and Email the above listed Representatives in the next 72 hours and ask them to reconsider their opposition to this forward-thinking, game-changing, hugely important election-reform measure. Put SB2381 back on the agenda and pass it!

When you speak to these legislator’s ask them why they’re opposed. SB2381 had unanimous support in the Senate, the Speaker of the House Scott Saiki has introduced an identical measure, and it’s a top priority of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. And it’s the right thing to do.

If and when they nitpick various provisions in the bill, remind them there’s still time for the measure to be amended and those who have concerns should recommend amendments to deal with those concerns. Remind them please, this is the way the process is supposed to work and their job is to create solutions, and make good ideas better – not just kill those good ideas (that btw are already proven models in other places).

When they tell you they’re worried about the money it will cost, remind them that SB2381 will not take effect until the 2028 elections so there will be no significant budget impact until then. Yes, the Campaign Spending Commission needs and deserve additional staffing support, but the amount needed for the two positions needed is minuscule when considered in the context of the state budget.

If they’re worried further about the budget impacts, ask them how come every single one of them who killed Clean Elections in the Judiciary Committee (except Rep. Ganaden) recently voted in favor of HB2652 and HB2653 cutting estate taxes for the very richest people in Hawaii, at a cost to the state budget of over $60 million annually?

Go figure.

Please – make the calls and send the email. Express your outrage and disbelief but of course do so professionally and politely.

After you contact your particular district Representative who helped kill Clean Elections, and Chair of the Committee Representative Tarnas – Take the time to reach out and let Speaker of the House Scott Saiki also know how you feel about what’s going on.

The headlines in January were all aglow crowing loudly about Speaker Saiki and his endorsement of Clean Elections. He was in fact the sponsor for the House Clean Elections bill HB2321 which is identical SB2381 (that the House Committee just killed)

If Speaker Saiki, Rep Tarnas, or members of the Judiciary Committee truly want this to pass, there’s plenty of time for good people to go into a room and work through the language and overcome the objections.

But they must want to do it. If leadership wants to make it happen, there’s time and there’re mechanisms and models to make it happen.

Unfortunately it’s all shibai. Saiki got his headlines waving the flag of support but it was all a show. Once again, the people get played.

I encourage all who care about making our democracy the best that it can be to make the calls and to send those emails. It’s time to be loud – polite and professional, but loud. Let’s make it clear that we will not tolerate business as usual. Mahalo to Our Hawai’i for helping to lead on this.

Civil Beat published this excellent read on the issue today, The Theatrics To Kill Full Public Election Financing Would Be Amusing If They Weren’t So Sad

Below is a list of priority bills I am following…I’ll do my best to update this list regularly…

At the top will be bills needing immediate action (testimony is needed within 24 hours), next will be bills recently voted on and their results…

All hands on deck! The House Agriculture and Food Systems Chair, Representative Cedric Gates, needs to schedule a hearing for SB3316 (improving Restricted Use Pesticide reporting) this week or the measure will die again this year! Please call AND email him asap and no later than by the end of the day Tuesday 03/19 and strongly encourage/demand (professionally and politely please) that he schedule a hearing by the end of the week. It is critically important that the public have quality data to protect our health.
Chair Cedric Gates – House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems
House District 45 (Wai‘anae, Mākaha)
Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 441
Phone: 808-586-8460
repgates@capitol.hawaii.gov

Support SB3335 – Legalizes the responsible adult use of cannabis. A hearing before the House Committee on Consumer Protection is scheduled for Tuesday, 03-19-24 2:00PM – Testimony in support of SB3335 must be submitted 24 hours in advance!

HB1807 Greatly reduces/eradicates the Art in Public Places Program. It also significantly and negatively impacts support for Professional Development for ALL DOE teachers, 13 art centers, and 8 organizations that offer Native Hawaiian Arts-based programs that impact 124 public and charter schools on all major islands.
Scheduled for a public hearing on 03-19-24 3:00PM
Please testify in STRONG OPPOSITION to HB1807!
Introduced by Representative Kyle Yamashita (Maui),

SB 2381 – SD2
Clean Elections – Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaiʻi, to begin with the 2028 general election year.
Was heard on 03/14/24 and JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. Email needs to be sent immediately to the Chair and Committee Members expressing disappointment and asking them to reconsider

HB2058 HD1
Establishes requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs.
Scheduled a public hearing on 03-14-24 deferred the measure until 03-19-24

HB2358 HD1
Exempts from environmental impact statement requirements certain affordable housing projects. 
Scheduled for a hearing on 03/14/24
Introduced by Speaker Scott Saiki for Governor Green
Testimony in opposition needed: No projects should be exempted from an environmental impact review without first actually looking at the impacts. The EIS law already allows for exemptions via a simple letter/statement if the responsible agency actually looks at the project and determines the impacts are none to negligible.
Scheduled a public hearing on 03-14-24 and Please oppose HB2358 HD1!
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS

SB3327 SD1
“Free the Water Commission” bill ensures that the Water Commission and its staff can focus on implementing the Water Code and uphold the public trust doctrine, without fear of political interference or retribution – Mahalo Sierra Club of Hawaii for bringing this to our attention!
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS

HB 1595 HD1
Creates a state-initiated process to expunge records of arrests and convictions – the Cannabis Expungement Act. Despite the fact that possession of small amounts of cannabis have already been decriminalized in Hawaii, some persons still have prior arrest records or conviction records for related charges that affect their employment and housing options.
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.

SB 2474 SD2
Paid Family Leave – All workers deserve access to family leave, which is essential in allowing parents to care for newborn keiki and family members who are seriously ill. 
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.

SB2759 SD1
The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the State from leasing any public lands, or extending the lease of any public lands, to any individual, corporation, or federal agency that is not in good standing with the State or that has not met all financial, contractual, and legal obligations.The committee(s) on
The House Water and Land Committee led by Representative Linda Ichiyama recommend(s) that the measure be deferred – which means she killed the bill.

Does anyone really read the testimony I send in? Is it truly important that I go to the legislature’s website, log in, and submit testimony in support or opposition? Is actually showing up in person important?

Why bother? Isn’t the “fix” already in? Aren’t the decisions already made?

The answer is yes, yes, yes, absolutely yes, because it’s important, and yes sometimes, and maybe but not really.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, and a thousand more times – your participation in our democracy is critically important. We, collectively must take ownership and spend the time paying attention, and yes…send in those emails, make the calls and submit the testimony.

Not every member of the committee, commission, or board will read the testimony – but some do. The media reads some of it, and other members of the public read it. And sometimes even the director or other staff members will read it.

The bottom line is volume matters. The number of people in favor or opposed to an issue, as judged by the volume of testimony and the number of people in the room – matters.

I believe the vast majority of policymakers, commissioners, board members, and staff, truly want to please the public and are uncomfortable when the public is overwhelmingly unhappy with their decisions.

But to sway those in positions of power, the public must show up.

Yes, most commissioners and board members probably come into a meeting predisposed to vote a certain way and/or just accommodate “staff’s recommendation” and move on. Likewise most legislative or council committee members lean always to accepting the “chair’s recommendation” and likewise just keep moving and not make waves.

But when the public shows up in force, when the sentiment is strong, united, and based on facts and solid reasoning – those decision-makers sometimes rethink their preset inclinations and start asking the tough direct questions themselves.

Written testimony when possible should be on time, direct, to the point, and backed with reason and facts. But truthfully…just get it in. Late is better than never and a simple straightforward few sentences for or against an item is enough. Don’t forget to include your name and the town or district where you live!

Please also send in testimony or email that‘s positive and appeals to the decision-makers “better angels”. Send support and praise when that leader does something right. All too often the loudest voices in the room are those who are upset. Sometimes harsh criticism is warranted but we must also remember to send in support and praise when deserved as well.

Showing up in person, even if you don’t speak at the meeting is important also. Just being a body in the room with other like-minded citizens is important. If you’ve never been to a Planning Commission or Council meeting or attended a legislative hearing – I encourage you to do so. It’s easy and especially as an observer, it can be enjoyable to see the people and hear the voices – live and in person.

British statesman and world leader Winston Churchill famously said, “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…”.

So…Democracy is what we have but it only works when people participate. So please, send in that testimony, show up at that public hearing, call your legislators – be part of our democracy.

Gary Hooser
Published in The Garden Island 03/12/24

Given the precarious condition of the world and the fact the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i (DPH) Presidential Primary is being held today, I think it’s only right that I let folks know where I’m at on this.

I suspect I’ll disappoint those readers on the very far left, the more libertarian anti-corporate activists who I occasionally fight along side of, and those folks on the far right some of who I might be related to.

But regardless of the risk to friendships and family disagreements, when the general election on Nov. 5 arrives, my vote without question will go to Joe Biden.

While an “uncommitted” vote during the presidential primary allows me to vent, and express my extreme dissatisfaction with his action and inaction facilitating the tragedy in Gaza — on Nov. 5, I will check the box next to the name of Joe Biden.

“Voting isn’t marriage — it’s public transport. You’re not waiting for ‘the one’ who is absolutely perfect. You’re getting the bus. And if there isn’t one going exactly to your destination, you don’t stay at home…you take the one going closest to where you want to be.” — Paul Tambyah

I understand there are differing opinions, but I believe there’s only one candidate who can win and get us closer to the destination we want. If we stay home or divide our votes on Nov. 5, Donald Trump will win and take us down a road to the apocalypse.

My thoughts about President Joe Biden range from total dismay, to he’s a good man doing a good job. As to the Democratic Party itself the internal dialogue is similar, ranging from it’s corporate control to it’s real life pragmatism, to it could be so much worse or better, to it’s our own damn fault because more of us are not involved.

But regardless, it’s “game on” for the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i presidential primary. Wednesday is the big day with voting across all islands, starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m.

The choices on the presidential primary ballot will be: Joesph R. Biden Jr., Jason Michael Palmer, Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. There will also be an option for “uncommitted.”

Yes, I’m gonna show up. And you should too.

As frustrated as I am by global, national and local party politics, I’m going to show up this evening and participate in our democracy. Giving up is just not in my genes. We quit. They win.

While voting for president starts at 6pm, the main event is the DPH biennial election’s at 7 p.m.

The DPH has great potential as a force for positive change. I’ve seen the party break loose from it’s good ole boy, corporatist bindings in the past. I know that can happen again if we show up, speak out, and put our own names forward to serve in the various party officer positions.

In local party elections, just a handful of people can make a huge difference. Each state House district has a 15 member council. These council’s are responsible for identifying the three names the governor must choose from to fill legislative positions when incumbent legislators retire early (or go to jail).

Please. Show up. Bring your friends, and when the time comes, raise your hand and offer to serve on the district council or as a delegate to the state convention.

Statewide, find your voting location here: https://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/2024biennialelection

Kaua‘i Democrats will be gathering and voting at the following sites:

District 15 — Hanalei Neighborhood Center

District 15 Satellite — Kapa}a Neighborhood Center

District 16 — HGEA Hall, 3213 Akahi St, Lihu‘e

District 17 — Hanapepe Neighborhood Center

And oh yes, I almost forgot. The Republican Party will also be having its presidential caucus on Tuesday, March 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To find out more, talk to a Republican.

The below has been sitting on my desk for almost two weeks. I’ve read and reread it several times, and had associates, and yes lawyers read it as well. It’s one of those “can’t make this stuff up” stories. As is always the case, I challenge anyone to dispute the facts of what I write.

Pulling Back The Curtain
Stewardship or Development –
The future is up to us.

So what’s exactly going on down the hill in Wailua on Kauaʻi? Regardless of where you live, this question is important.

While commonly referred to as the former Coco Palms Hotel, the proper name of the area is Wailuanuiaho’āno.

What’s going on is basically the same thing that’s been going on for the past 30 plus years since hurricane Iniki rolled through and wreaked havoc. Lots of talk, some cosmetic action taken without the proper permits, promises made by the developer and their representatives, promises broken by the same folks, county and state agencies perplexed – wanting to do the right thing, but unsure as to how to move forward.

In my opinion, Reef Capital and RP21, the Utah based owners and current would-be developers, represented by lobbyist/attorney Mauna Kea Trask (who also represents the billion dollar south-side Kukuiʻula Development Company LLC) – should close up, sell the property to the county or a community based nonprofit – and go home.

Wailuanuiaho’āno is literally the birth place of Hawaiian royalty.

These incredibly important lands deserve preservation and community stewardship. Instead, in pursuit of a hotel pipe-dream that has long passed, these sacred lands are being trashed and desecrated.

I don’t use these words lightly.

For starters – Reef Capital, RP21 and or their contractor/surrogates, have been dumping, grading, and grubbing on conservation land and on state owned lands without permits, AND cutting down coconut trees of historical importance without permits, AND entering, occupying, and fencing off state lands without permits.

Can’t make this stuff up.

In testimony before the Board of Land and Natural Resources, 55 of the 60 people who submitted testimony in support of the owner/developer – are not long-time community members but rather Utah based employees, partners, investors, friends, or relatives of the developer/owner Reef Capitol, RP21, and related entities. However this fact is not apparent from the testimony since none of these individuals disclosed their relationship with the owners/developers. A cursory read of the testimony would lead most to believe these are local residents testifying in support of their community. However with Google as a friend the truth becomes apparent.

Government agencies need to stop looking the other way and stop accepting the excuses and downright lies offered by the owner and developer. The owner/developer needs to realize this is not Utah, fold up their tent, sell out at fair market value to the county or community based non-profit, and leave.

If not for the countless exceptions to permitting laws and regulations granted to these developers by the County and State – no hotel would ever be approved. The tsunami zone and coastal impacts, the inland flooding that now occurs, the traffic, the hundreds of burial sites, the deep historical significance, the ancient fishponds, the already existing stench of a sewer system that’s either dysfunctional or already overcapacity, the lack of housing for the nonexistent workforce that must be imported – are just a few of the development challenges.

The developers/owners have already demonstrated their lack of concern for the place, and for its cultural and historical significance.

They’ve cut down 70 to 100 coconut trees from a historical coconut grove without the necessary permissions from the state. They dumped these trees on conservation zoned lands and then used heavy machinery to grub and grade, again without the legal permits (I personally witnessed this and have video footage to prove it).

For the past year they’ve used adjacent state-owned public lands without a valid lease or permit (trespassing). They constantly grade and grub without permits and without the required archeological observer present. I drive by this area daily and personally witness this activity (and yes I have pictures).

They’ve failed to abide by the required county approved construction debris management plan. Their permits propose putting 45-50 hotel parking places on state publicly owned lands. They’ve not conducted and have no plans to conduct an environmental impact statement (EIS) even though the development has a direct impact on sensitive coastal areas, includes areas now on the National Register of Historical Places, and is home to various threatened species of native birds. I could go on…

The Utah developers previous “representative” who first appeared before the Kauaʻi Planning Commission in 2022, is a convicted felon. He committed mortgage fraud on victims in Nevada, Montana, and Hawaiʻi. He was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Wire and Bank Fraud in the Nevada District Court on 4/30/13. Needless to say, once this information came to light, this fellow no longer appears before the Planning Commission nor any public body. He seems to have just faded away into the background.

At a Council meeting held on May 10, 2023, their current representative, lobbyist/attorney Mauna Kea Trask, defended the bad optics that accompany his own advocacy of resort development of lands sacred to the Hawaiian community, telling Councilmembers, “I get a lot of heat for defending developers now, but I defend criminals, I defended the County of Kaua’i, I defended a lot of people….I understand you do not trust me, I am a hired gun.” He then went on to say he truly believed this was a good and worthy project, and these developers were different from the ones that came before…etc. etc. etc.

Enough already.

I’m hopeful the Kauaʻi County Planning Department and the State BLNR likewise will come to the same conclusions. Enough is enough, and the time of endless permit extensions is over.

The answer is community ownership and community stewardship.

The County, State, OHA, and/or our friends in Washington DC could partner and make this happen. Kamehameha Schools, other Hawaiian Trusts, other private nonprofit Kanaka-led community organizations, and/or other national trusts and foundations could likewise purchase, preserve and manage these incredibly important lands.

There are uberwealthy individuals living on Kauaʻi who could purchase these lands and partner with local nonprofit community groups.

Or all of the above – all of us, including the current Utah owners, could join hands to make the community vision of community ownership, stewardship, preservation, and restoration – a reality.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
Former Kauaʻi County Councilmember, Hawaiʻi State Senator, and Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) for the State of Hawaiʻi.

*To help please support the community nonprofit 501c3 I Ola Wailuanui (https://www.wailuanui.org/) – sign the Wailuanui petition (https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/wailuanui-petition-opposing-hotel-development.html) and make an online (or mail) financial contribution (https://www.wailuanui.org/donate) if you can. Here’s just one of many pictures of illegal grading, grubbing, and dumping of coconut trees cut down from state lands, without permission from the state of Hawaiʻi as is required.

Screenshot

A recent Honolulu news story reports the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee (WAM), Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, is proposing to reduce spending on public education in order to balance the overall state budget. Hawai‘i’s 258 public schools and 37 public charter schools are being told to expect budget cuts ranging from $213 million to $320 million.

Cutting the Department of Education budget to balance the state budget, will negatively impact every child in Hawai‘i between the ages of 5 and 18 — except of course those attending private schools.

There are a multitude of other ways to raise money and balance the budget. Cutting education or other essential services that support those at the bottom of the economic ladder is unacceptable.

Please contact the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee (WAM), Sen. Dela Cruz and House Finance Committee Chair, Representative Kyle Yamashita.

Please also call Senate President Ronald Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki, and tell them not to do it. These two gentleman are the leaders who in theory guide what happens or doesn’t happen at the Legislature.

Tell them all, no, no, no. Tell them as clearly and succinctly and directly (but yet politely and professionally) – Do not short-change the future of our kids so politicians can avoid raising taxes on hotels, tourists, rich investors, real estate speculators, and others who can afford to pay more.

The message to them is simple: “Don’t do it.”

It’s unbelievable the chair of WAM would consider making Hawai‘i’s public school children pay these costs, rather than charging the rich absentee investors, the hotels and resorts, the tourists, real estate speculators, foreign corporations, and the uberwealthy.

Or if these folks (the vast majority of who do not live here) were tapped out (and they’re not), WAM could then look at increasing taxes on gun sales, alcohol, tobacco, luxury goods, and the sale of second, third and fourth vacation homes.

Maybe even our almost all blue, Democratic Party dominated, so-called progressive legislature could even legalize (and heavily tax) the responsible adult use of cannabis, such as 24 other U.S. states do already.

There are plenty of other ways to raise money.

No hotel has ever left Hawai‘i because our taxes are too high.

No hotel is suffering from reduced occupancy because taxes are too high.

No foreign investors are leaving because our taxes are too high.

The uberwealthy have no clue as to how much taxes they are paying here anyway, and certainly will not sell their zillion-dollar beachfront estate and move away if we ask them to pay more.

To parents, students, teachers, and all who care about the future of public education — please join me. Make the calls. Send the emails.

Don’t balance the budget on the backs of our children is the message.

Would cutting the school budget mean increasing class sizes, hiring fewer teachers, reducing their already low pay, or continuing to defer their well-deserved increases? Could it mean canceling much needed technology improvements, or deferring even further building repairs and maintenance?

Could it mean a return to furlough Fridays? Remind our legislative decision-makers what happened during that debacle. Let them know that while you don’t really want to incur the time and travel needed to do so, you’re not opposed to visiting their offices in person to ensure the message get’s through.

Please keep all communications polite, professional, and to the point.

Investing in our children’s education is a direct investment in Hawaii. The conversation should be not about how much we can take away from them, but how much more we can invest in their future.

Again, the key decision-makers are:

Senate President Ronald Kouchi senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Speaker Scott Saiki repsaiki@capitol.hawaii.gov

WAM Chair Donovan Dela Cruz sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov

Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita repyamashita@capitol.hawaii.gov

Gary Hooser
First published in The Garden Island Newspaper
02/28/2024

I received a belated birthday congratulatory text a few days ago from a friend who asked, “You doing ok? I heard you’ve lost some weight.” *Note – if you’re not interested in the personal reflections stuff just skip down to the nitty gritty rip-and-shred policy discussion in bold below.

But for those of you who are interested, the short answer is I’m not just “ok” but probably in better shape and healthier than I’ve been in years. On April 11, 2023 I began a journey which I wrote about earlier, and I’ve continued on that journey which translates loosely to eating healthy food, getting out of my chair, and walking 10,000 steps – every day.

To be clear it’s not about getting skinny, it’s about feeling good, and I feel great. At 70 years old, my life has been good, and I’m looking forward to the coming decade. Here’s that birthday story if you missed it 😉

Eating right and exercise. Yes, I know it sounds like a cliché but that’s it.

My meals over the past 8 months have been mostly plant-based and every day it gets closer to being straight vegan. It’s also zero alcohol, zero added sugar, and mostly zero processed foods. And I love it!

My exercise consists of 10,000 steps per day, at least 5 days per week. If I am traveling or not feeling great, I don’t push it. Listening to my body is important.

On Friday, I walked from behind Kintaro’s restaurant in Wailua, along the coastal walking path to Kapaa Town, to Kountry Kitchen, through down-town, then back along the beach, returning to my starting point and trusty-rusty 2001 Toyota pickup truck.

According to my iPhone I did 12,148 steps, which equals about 5.99 miles – all in a 90 minute morning stroll along the coast of one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

And yes, I love every minute of it. Sometimes it’s challenging to “get out the door” but once I start walking I love it.

My body moves at a leisurely pace, while my mind races through the events, challenges, and stresses of the moment. Basically, while I walk I figure things out, get clear on my “things to do list”, vet ideas, explore strategies, and debate in my mind a wide host of topics.

On this day, prior to heading out the door, I read in the Honolulu StarAdvertiser that Senator Dela Cruz, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee (WAM), was proposing to balance the budget by reducing the amount of money now spent on public education. In other words, short-change our kids instead of raising taxes on hotels, tourists, rich investors, real estate speculators and others who can afford to pay more.

So, on this day, I spent the first 20 minutes of my walk mentally and angrily shredding the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee (WAM), Senator Donovan Dela Cruz.

Then, “the penny dropped” and I reminded myself the entire WAM committee and ultimately the House Finance Committee and Chair Representative Kyle Yamashita is also responsible. I then (in my mind while walking) started strategizing how to get the word out to encourage people to contact these guys – and talk some sense into them.

All this intensive internal dialogue occurred between Kintaro’s restaurant and the Kapaa library.

By the time I turned the corner at the halfway point, I’d figured it out and the remaining part of the walk was much more restful 😉

I sit here at home now on my trusty 10 year old PowerMac, telling the story and hoping to enroll you the reader into helping by contacting your State Senator and Representative. Find out who that is, and their contact info here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

The message to them is simple – “Don’t do it. Don’t short-change our students”

Balancing the budget on the backs of our public schools will hurt our children. There are a multitude of other ways to raise the money and balance the budget. Cutting education or other essential services is unacceptable.

Thank you to the reader for getting this far. Please join me in this journey and take that next step with me – send the email, make that call, then get up, get off the chair, and go outside and take that walk! Check your phone for the health app that will help you keep track…set your steps goal at a level you’re comfortable with and then every day…just do it. Note: I know that walking is not easy nor perhaps even possible for some – if that’s the case – perhaps find another way to just get your body in motion and sustain that motion for a few more minutes every day.

Love to all…take care of yourself, your ohana, and our collective community.

Sincerely,

Gary Hooser
P.S. If you’re wondering “who the heck is this guy” here’s a short bio: https://www.garyhooser.com/about If you want to drill down deeper – read this short piece I wrote some 35 years ago entitled “I don’t want to be Donald Trump anymore” (can’t make this stuff up). And if you’re curious about what keeps me awake at night – read here my missive “Leave Jeffrey alone”.

My telephone was ringing off the hook over the weekend with people calling to let me know the State Department of Transportation (DOT) was “spraying herbicides along the highway between Kapaa and Anahola”.

Please sign this petition joining me and many others to tell the Governor and the Mayor to stop the use of poisonous herbicides on Kauai highways!

While “ringing off the hook” is a phrase only boomer’s may understand, the individual who witnessed the spraying, and took the time to make the calls – was a millennial.

Mahalo plenty to you my young friend whom I’ve never met. Thank you for caring about the health of your neighbors, and for taking the time to make those calls and encouraging others to do likewise.

We can all learn from her initiative, right out of the box – issuing a prompt, concise, information based, and clear call to action.

Her message posted on social media for the entire world to see:
“If you have a connection to Kauai please call Lyle Tabata and Edward Sniffen to request that Kauai goes back to cutting and mowing the highways instead of toxic herbicide use.”

She then writes clearly about what she personally witnessed and learned after making a few key telephone calls.

“On February 16, 2024 I noticed the use of an herbicide on the Kauai highways between Kapaa and Anahola. There was a very small sign that said, “Warning Herbicide in Use”, and there were trucks driving by spraying. I called the Director of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HI DOT), Edward Sniffen, who told me that this was authorized by the Kauai District office, specifically Lawrence Dill. Dill’s voicemail indicates he is on leave and to contact Lyle Tibet at (808) 241-3032.

Lyle Tabata told me that they are using an herbicide called Finale, which was approved late last year and is being applied on the South and East sides of the island so far. He claimed it is safe so I asked him for the research he has that indicates its safety and he said he could not comment. Tabata said there were many public service announcements made on County of Kauai Facebook page, Hawaii DOT Facebook page, and the newspaper. I was unable to find these announcements.”

The tone of her message is calm, professional, and straightforward. She is not personal, snarky or sarcastic, and does not slam or throw Mr. Sniffen, Mr. Dill, or Mr. Tabata, under the bus.

Next she states the facts in language we can understand.

“The label for the herbicide Finale indicates that it is hazardous to humans, animals, water safety and the environment. It requires the use of personal protective equipment that must be properly disposed of, equipment that every resident and visitor driving by the highways while they are applying it, is not wearing.”

She then provides links to her research, and concludes with the specific information needed for direct community engagement.

“If you feel concerned about the issues posed by herbicide use in public areas on the island of Kauai…please contact:”

* Lyle Tabata [County of Kauai]—(808) 241-3032
* Edward Sniffen [HI DOT Director]—(808) 587-2160
* Nadine Nakamura [Kauai Representative]—(808) 586-8435 or repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
* Ronald Kouchi [Senator for Kauai County]—(808) 586-6030 or senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

It’s textbook civic engagement and I applaud her for taking the initiative. As a result, I’ll certainly be making the calls and encourage others to do the same.

And to those who say we must use toxic herbicides to control roadside weeds, please note both the Big Island and Maui have stopped using such chemicals on their County roads.

In an official statement on 06/21/2023 Hawaii County Public Works Director Steve Pause said, ”The Department has been working for some time to develop alternative means and methods to achieve maintenance of County infrastructure without the reliance on chemical herbicides. We believe this day has arrived.”

Perhaps it’s time for Kauai County to join Maui and Hawaii Island…and together we can nudge the SDOT to follow.

First published in The Garden Island newspaper
020/21/24

I read recently in “Ask Georgia” that there was a move afoot to get rid of Jeffrey.

Jeffrey might possibly offend the delicate sensibilities of certain members of our community, but to my knowledge he has never hurt anybody.

Jeffrey is a homeless man who for many years has lived on a small strip of land located alongside the main highway and Wailua beach. Jeffrey’s physical domain has shifted somewhat over the years but essentially it consists of a 10 X 10 square foot piece of dirt alongside a busy highway just a few steps from the white sand and blue water of Wailua Bay.

Within Jeffrey’s tiny plot is a chaise lounge upon which he sleeps, and a small neat bundle that contains, I assume, all that he possesses in this world.

In the old days, Jeffrey lived without the chaise lounge and without the small bundle. In the old days, Jeffrey would simply stand day after day, hour after hour on his 10 foot by 10 foot spot, sometimes muttering quietly to himself and sometimes staring silently at some secret spot on the ground.

For years, it seems, he did not have any possessions whatsoever. For years he has simply existed, apparently secure and comfortable in that one particular little corner of the earth he calls home.

Through wind, rain and sunshine, day after day, night after night. Jeffrey would simply stand there, occasionally he could be seen shuffling down the highway headed toward Sizzler or the convenience store, but most of Jeffrey’s life consisted of standing or sitting in that 10 by 10 square that is his home.

Jeffrey’s home is immaculate. Never will you see trash or litter within or near Jeffrey’s 10 by 10 dirt square. There is no tent, no structure of any kind and no car, abandoned, rusty or otherwise. There is just a chaise lounge, a small neat bundle and a quiet man sitting or standing in a 10 by 10 foot square of dirt.

Jeffrey rarely has guests or visitors. There are no rowdy late night parties nor problems with parking congestion. Jeffrey’s visitors are few and mostly uninvited well-wishers who bring him unsolicited hot meals, perhaps a fresh shirt or jacket and sometimes spiritual counseling on Sundays.

The chaise lounge and the small bundle are not items Jeffrey purchased at Walmart but the gifts of good-hearted folks trying to add a little comfort and warmth to Jeffrey’s life.

Jeffrey lives a meager existence and doesn’t hurt anyone. He doesn’t build fires, he doesn’t panhandle, he doesn’t sell drugs, and he doesn’t go naked on the beach. Technically Jeffrey is not even camping. He is merely existing.

There is not and should not be a law against merely existing. Jeffrey clearly lives in a world far removed from the day-to-day reality of most Kaua‘i residents, but he is no criminal.

He may be offensive in appearance to some who pass in their cars and he might be an embarrassment to our visitor industry, but he is no criminal. Jeffrey is homeless and poor, but he is no criminal.

I have a suggestion to those who would support getting rid of Jeffrey. As you drive by Wailua beach you can distract your visiting friends or VIPs by turning their attention to the Coco Palms Hotel which continues to sit unoccupied and deteriorating before our eyes.

Your polite conversation can discuss the negative impact on our economy this still unopened and unoccupied hotel presents to our community, and you can discuss ways to accelerate the rebuilding process.

Then, as you pass Kealia Beach heading north, encourage your friends to look toward the mountains so that they can avoid being confronted with a view of junk cars and trash piled along the highway.

Our community and our visitor industry has many serious problems and challenges that need to be dealt with and Jeffrey is not one of them. Car break-ins at scenic look-outs are committed almost daily by people who live in real homes located in legitimate neighborhoods. Why not spend some time solving this real and serious problem?

The still abandoned Wai‘ohai hotel on the Southside hurts our image and our economy far more than Jeffrey ever could. Why not take action to remove the Wai‘ohai from Po‘ipu Beach?

Jeffrey has his problems but he keeps them to himself. He may need care, help and protection but health care professionals in our community are probably the only ones qualified to evaluate and recommend “what to do about Jeffrey.”

I say leave him alone.

Gary Hooser
July 6, 1997
Published in The Garden Island newspaper

Read also on this blog “The State Budget, A Moral Document”

Interested in a good laugh and a deep dive into the Hooser psyche of 34 years ago?

While going through boxes of old news clippings my dear mother has been saving, I found this missive I penned in the early 1990’s.

At the time I was in the real estate business, working in the high-end Kauai residential market, and doing fairly well. During this time a friend and I formed a partnership and started a small local magazine “Kauai Business and Real Estate” – thus began my journey in writing, doing a regular “from the editor column”.

Little did I (or anyone) know at that time what would eventually become of Donald Trump (actually we still don’t know).

I also had no idea that I would be elected to public office, eventually serving on the Kauai Council and in the Hawaii State Senate. I was just a 35 year old, a young father and small businessman, doing big deals working with rich people, and going through yet another one of those “rolling mid-life crisis” that I am so fond of.

Who would have thought?

Title: “I don’t want to be Donald Trump Anymore”
originally published in Kauai Business & Real Estate Magazine, early 1990’s



At one time I thought I did but now I am sure that I don’t.


I’m still not sure about being President. I go back and forth about being President. Some days I think that it would be nice to lead the world through to enlightenment and then other days I think that it would be more trouble than it is worth. But one thing is for sure – I am absolutely positive that I don’t want to be Donald Trump.


Now don’t get me wrong, the Money would be nice. I just wouldn’t want to have to do the things he has to or live the life he leads. Again, I don’t want to be misunderstood, it is not an ego problem. I am not lacking in the inflated ego department. If anyone questions the size or condition of my ego, just ask my wife. Claudette will confirm that the size of my ego is not a limiting factor in my ambition quotient.


“Gary’s lost the eye of the tiger,” some of my Realtor friends will say. “Gary’s lost the drive,” others will whisper as they write up their big deals. “Gary’s nuts,” still others will say as they chase escrows through the process.


I will be the first to agree that perhaps I am nuts. I have done a few wild and crazy things in my life and I hope to do a few more in the years ahead.


The drive is still there but the “eye” is shifting its gaze and coming to rest on something other than the almighty dollar.

The “eye of the tiger” is now looking for the quality of life. The “eye” stares unrelentingly at the hours spent with family and friends.The “eye” peers out at the time spent smelling the roses. The “eye of the tiger” looks also at the health and heart of the body that carries it. The “eye” is shifting to and fro scrutinizing the role I play in this global village we call earth. The “eye of the tiger” is zeroing in on the fundamentals of the elusive “good life” and what the “eye” sees now is much more than the glorious M word.


The feeling of accomplishment and achievement generates emotions that are indescribable and I have definitely not lost my desire to scale mountains. The power and the glitter of gold have by no means been totally removed from my field of vision. Only now the “eye” looks for other summits to climb and other mountains to conquer. The “eye” now realizes the journey itself is as important as arriving at the peak.


The big M word still has its place and it is a very big place, but it is not the most important place. I will still chase the occasional big deal but I will not let those deals run my life. The creature comforts money can buy are still much sought after and appreciated, but money is no longer the primary focus.


Perhaps my basic needs have been met which is allowing the focus to change. In any case I’m changing. Maybe living on Kauai has allowed my vision to evolve. After all Donald Trump lives in New York City, where making money to create happiness is a way of life. I live on Kauai and can just look around and be thankful for my good fortune.

Gary Hooser