GaryHooser's Blog

These are some crazy times we’re living in.

The official https://www.usda.gov website now states:

“Senate Democrats have voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program…the well has run dry…We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

On an official website of the United States government, President Trump and his enablers are blaming Democrats for keeping food out of the mouths of mothers and babies – for the benefit of undocumented immigrants and transgendered people.

To Trump, this is an effective messaging narrative — trifecta of hate.

He’s demonizing Democrats while scapegoating aliens and immigrants (really, all people of color), and the transgender/LGBTQ community – all on the opening page of an official U.S. government website.

To Republicans, and those in the MAGA community: You should be ashamed of yourselves.

You know it’s not true. You know full well the words “illegal aliens” and “gender mutilation” are used here to inflame and divide, and have no basis in the reality of what’s REALLY going on.

You know also that BOTH sides of the political aisle share responsibility for the government shutdown.

Yet you sit there in silence.

You sit there in silence and allow the hate to fester.

Please. I ask today that you join me in saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Please. Reach out to your Republican and MAGA leadership and ask them to pull back and temper their words and their actions.

This whole thing has gone way too far and unless we stand together now, it will soon spiral out of control.

We are all in this together. You and I, citizens and immigrants, and everyone who walks the planet – regardless of the labels.

And to get out of this mess we all have to work together.

That’s what it’s going to take, you know. You and I must work together to find a path forward that allows us both to look our children and grandchildren in the eyes, proud of our maturity – and our common humanity.

We can both agree I think, that our soldiers and government workers deserve to be paid; our frail, elderly, and low-income families deserve to eat; and affordable healthcare is something each of us is entitled to.

Yes, of course, there are other issues where we also must find common ground. I am 100% confident we can make that happen — once we start down the path of reconciliation.

None of us want crime and drugs in our communities. Whether those bad actors are immigrants or citizens – they must be stopped and brought to justice.

Waste, fraud, and abuse in government or in any public institution also must be rooted out and the perpetrators held accountable.

Of course there’s more. Much more.

But I’ll close today with something I’m pretty darn sure we have in common, and that is faith and confidence in the United States Constitution.

I’m pretty sure you, like myself, also revere and honor the words, the history, and the intent of this document upon which our country was founded.

Let’s go back to the Constitution, to the three separate but equal branches of government, and to the eloquence and simplicity of it’s preamble:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Are you in?

Please. Tell me you’re in.

We’ve got to reverse the madness, settle the ship, and return home.

Gary Hooser
Naive perhaps…but still hopeful…and determined
Former this and former that…still planning the next phase and chapter
Just call me tūtū-man

Don’t miss our most recent video/podcast!

Policy + Politics – Hawai’i Style

Go here to watch on Face Book https://www.facebook.com/share/17tPTXmoba/
Or
Go here to watch via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y3mpHqvrbE

I joined co-host Aria Juliet Castillo for a frank and open discussion that leaves no stone unturned 🙂

It’s 90 minutes and if you’re patient you will I think…hear and learn things that add value to your understanding of Hawai’i Policy and Politics.

Topics we covered –

No dictators rallies

The $50 million dollar, 4 legislator, nonprofit Act 310 – update on how to get some of it (actually it’s too late).

Latest news of who’s running
(Yes…it’s fun to speculate)

The call for a special session – Who calls it, what happens, what are the rules? What can be accomplished? What was promised? What’s is being said now? The Democratic Party resolution in support.

Running for office – first steps before you announce.
How do candidates “make it work”?

Bernie Sanders podcast – Why it’s important.

Next episode – Policy + Politics – Hawai‘i Style
November 10th, 5pm
Special Guest – State Rep. Della Au Belatti
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives CD1

If you missed my most recent email…here it is on my blog – A Carpe Diem Moment – What’s a shirt have to do with it? https://garyhooser.blog/2025/10/20/october-18-a-carpe-diem-moment/

LISTENING TO Trever Noah’s conversation/podcast with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders https://tinyurl.com/5n7br2nt WAS AN INCREDIBLY VALUABLE USE OF MY TIME– I like to think I’m a pretty smart and informed guy – but listening to this blew me away.

While it may sound silly, I debated at length about what shirt to wear on October 18th. Should it be a in-your-face “Enough Already” anti-Trump theme, or a more light-hearted “Making Good Trouble” message? Or maybe just toss the t-shirt message idea and go with the standard aloha shirt?

Then, two days prior to the October 18th gathering I listened to Trever Noah’s conversation/podcast with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and the answer to that seemingly silly dilemma became crystal-clear:my message would be “CARPE DIEM.”

SEIZE THE DAY.

With strength, determination, and immediacy, NOW is the time to make positive change happen.

A friend had sent me the podcast link and encouraged me to listen to what Senator Sanders had to say. So I did, and it blew me away. The conversation was measured, the facts presented were eye-opening, and the conclusion was clear, strong, and unavoidable.

We must, at this moment in time, take back our government — from the authoritarian now in control, from the big money oligarchs who empower and enable him, AND ultimately from the broader base of corporatists providing a floor for it all.

We can and we must identify and support new leadership at all levels — new leaders that believe as we do, that people and the planet must come first.

I’d previously watched President Trump’s entire speech to the United Nations Assembly. The contrast between Senator Sanders and President Trump is eye-opening…stay awake at night kine eye-opening.

Please. Take the time to listen to both, then make up your own mind.

While my heart remained at home with friends and neighbors on Kaua`i, I spent the actual weekend of October 18th in Honolulu, joining in solidarity with friends, former colleagues, and statewide political leaders at the Capitol.

The turnout and the energy was extraordinary.

While most of the street energy focused on the insanity unfolding in Washington D.C., I could not stop thinking about the potential for change here at home.

If the thousands of people who showed up on every island this past Saturday continue showing up at the State Capitol and County Councils during this coming year – the sky’s the limit as to what can be accomplished.

If, at the ballot box in 2026 those same thousands of deeply committed citizens coalesced around forward-thinking, progressive, aina-based candidates at all levels – BOOM Kanani!

Imagine for a moment just for starters – we have the best youth programs and public schools on the planet, every worker in Hawai`i earns a living wage, truly affordable health care is available for all, permanent affordable housing for local families is a reality, our streams and coastlines are clean and healthy, AND the costs of our government is borne by those who can most afford it – the very wealthy, the corporate, the foreign, and the transient.

While it may sound like a fantasy or a pipe dream to some, these things are already happening in various places around the world.

It’s our time now to “Carpe Diem”, take ownership of our government at all levels and build a future the next 7 generations deserve.

Note: Listen to Trevor Noah and Senator Bernie Sanders: https://tinyurl.com/5n7br2nt

Almost everyone — Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians and Independents alike — will agree that the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

I’ve spent a good part of my life sitting around tables with friends and colleagues, discussing policy, politics, and the problems of the world. I learned quickly that the essential question to ask at every such gathering was simply: “So, what are we going to do about it?” 

This is how I first came to run for a seat on the Kauaʻi County Council in 1994, and then for the Hawaiʻi Senate in 2002.

The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) and the Kuleana Academy were also catalyzed by this fundamental question.

It’s safe to say that every single major public policy initiative, and every public action made to save a sensitive beach or a sacred mountain, came about as a result of someone asking this question.

So, what are we going to do about it?

What are we going to do to get out of the mess we’re in now?

Three things come immediately to mind.

1. Make noise — Yes, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again and again.  

Your voice, especially when joined with many others, can make a difference. Whether you’re holding signs on October 18th, testifying before the County Council, posting on social media, or making those direct calls to the Governor and others, YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

To the naysayers who believe their voices don’t matter and that no one listens anyway, I’ll tell you right now that you are wrong.

Every single elected official wants to stay elected. They love holding public office and they loathe controversy and loud voices.

Trust me on this; I’ve been there. Elected officials pay attention to which way the wind is blowing. If and when enough of us make the noise that needs to be made, they will pay attention and respond accordingly.

2. Show up to vote. Yes, I know I’m stating the obvious, but it must be said.

In the 2024 primary election, only 32.31% of 839,618 Hawaiʻi registered voters bothered to show up to vote.

Just 32.31% of our registered voters made decisions for 100% of our residents.

This is sad — disgustingly sad — and it must change.

On August 8, 2026, only 10 months from now, we must aggressively encourage our friends, family, and neighbors to vote. We must focus on those who support putting people and the planet ahead of corporate profits, and putting democracy and the constitution ahead of authoritarianism.

3. Find and support new candidates who share our values, feel the same urgency of the moment, and who are driven to make change happen.

If we do this, we win.

If we do this, more people will show up to vote.

Each of us knows someone who would be an excellent member of the County Council or State Legislature.  

They’re coaching our kids’ soccer teams, volunteering in our schools, or perhaps they’re on the board of a local nonprofit.

You know who I’m talking about. These individuals are rooted in community and do more than just talk. They are the ones who get things done.

In all likelihood, they’ve probably thought about running for office, but they aren’t sure if they’re “ready,” if they’re “qualified,” or if they can win.

We must seek out these good people, encourage them to run, and follow through with our strong and active support — with our time and our money. If I can help in any way, just lmk.

There it is, folks. There’s the answer to the question: “So, what are we going to do about it?”

Please share this widely. Post on your social media or share from my Facebook page.

We only have 10 months. It’s time we turn it up.

Gary Hooser

What can we actually do to help stop the out-of-control wrecking ball now smashing through civil society?

“We’re going through very dark times: socially, politically and especially environmentally. If you think globally, you get really depressed, so act locally. Each one of us makes some impact… every single day.” — Jane Goodall, 1934-2025

Today’s message is for those who actually want to make an impact.

Below are four important actions we can each take TODAY that epitomize thinking GLOBALLY and acting LOCALLY. If you don’t like my suggestions, please come up with your own.

Trust me. Take action and you will feel better.

1) Call Governor Josh Green (808/586-0034) and ask him to stand up to the Trump Administration, convene a special session to deal proactively with the federal budget impacts, AND require the U.S. military to follow Hawaiʻi laws pertaining to land lease extensions or renewals at Pōhakuloa.

Note: This is an easy call. You will reach staff or voice mail. Please just leave a short on-point message, leave your name, zip code, contact info, AND request a reply. You can also email but that requires going to the website and navigating through an email form as the Governor (and others) do not provide a easy to access “public email address”.

Governor Green is currently in Japan promoting tourism, and — at the invitation of tech billionaire Marc Benioff — speaking at the San Francisco Dreamforce Conference. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke is “acting governor” until October 15.

2) Call Lieutenant Governor Luke (808/586-0255) and ask her to order that flags be flown at half-mast in honor of UN Messenger of Peace and world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, and humanitarian Jane Goodall, who died on October 1st.

3) Share your thoughts on Pōhakuloa with U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (202/224-6361) U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (202/224-3934), Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (202/225-4906), and Congressman Ed Case (202/225-2726). Tell them clearly that the U.S. military’s threat to take these lands by force without complying with Hawaiʻi law, and against the will of the Hawaiian people, is unacceptable.

4) Forward these calls to action to your email list AND post/share on social media.
Trust me. We have the power to make change happen.

“¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” The people united will never be defeated. — A well-known Chilean chant for social change

The long-term foundation for global sustained action is built at home.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Ghandi

“Being the change” starts at a very basic non-political personal level. We must look after our own homes and families, then help our neighbors and friends, then our greater communities.

Spend your money locally. Shop at local farmers markets, local restaurants and thrift stores. SERIOUSLY, folks. Buying local and non-corporate is probably the single most important long-term LOCAL action you can take.

USE YOUR VOICE and speak out in support of your values. Post your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and actions on social media. SHARE the posts of others.

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world… would do this, it would change the earth.” –William Faulkner

JOIN WITH OTHERS. Identify a local organization whose goals and values align with your own. Sign up for their action alerts, attend their meetings, get involved.

PARTICIPATE. Show up to help rebuild the fishpond, testify at the public hearing, help clean up the beaches, donate money if you can. Join the protests, marches, and sign-holding on October 18th.

GET POLITICAL LOCALLY. Register to vote. Know by name your council members AND your state and federal legislators. Email or call them about issues important to you. Seek out and support new candidates.

Are you serious about being part of the solution?

Trust me on this: If you take action, change will come.

“Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up… Don’t give up the fight!” — Bob Marley

garyhooser.com
garylhooser.blog

In Hawaiʻi on Saturday, October 18, 2025, the “No Dictators” protest, organized by Indivisible Hawaiʻi and cosponsoring groups, is scheduled to take place on four islands. 

Oʻahu 

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Hawaiʻi State Capitol in Honolulu

Maui 

Kahului
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center

Kihei
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: U.S. Postal Service, 1254 South Kihei Road

Kauaʻi

9 a.m. to 11a.m. 
North Shore Hwy near Princeville Library

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Kukui Grove Mall in Līhuʻe on sidewalk along hwy

Hawaiʻi Island 

Hilo
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hilo Bayfront, corner of Pauahi and Kamehameha

Kailua-Kona
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Queen Kaʻahumanu Hwy, south of Henry St.

Naʻalehu
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Highway 11 near the Post Office

Waimea
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Mamalahoa Hwy (19), in front of the Ikua Purdy Monument at the Parker Ranch Center 

Disclaimer: Protest information may change.
Participants should verify through event organizers or local news.

Don’t just take my word for it. PLEASE watch it, and make up your own mind.

See, hear, and judge for yourself the totally embarrassing spectacle of President Donald J. Trump at the United Nations, making a complete ass out of himself, and all of us.

Words cannot describe his pompous, sneering arrogance.

It’s so bad.

It’s gag me with a spoon, throw up, walk away, throw a brick through the television bad.

Watch the President and Secretary of War speak to the generals also if you have the time, but you absolutely must watch the U.N. speech.

He directly and repeatedly insults everyone in the room and the sovereign nations they represent. He essentially refers to the United Nations delegates in the auditorium as incompetent idiots undeserving of even being in the same room.

He pours lavish praise and adulation upon himself and makes it clear that no other president or prime minister on the planet even comes close to matching his skill and success as a truly great leader.

He spout’s fictitious fact after fictitious fact and then piles on gross exaggerations from the imaginary world that he lives in.

This man, the President of the United States of America, is clearly drunk on power, AND he is mentally unstable.

The damage to American foundational institutions as a direct result of Trump’s actions during these past nine months — and indeed, to the lives of people around the planet — is nothing short of criminal.

He’s ordering arrests, deportations, incarcerations, and killings – without due process, trial, or conviction.

He bludgeons and bullies those who dare challenge him using political, monetary, and legal retribution to threaten, coerce, and silence.

Meanwhile he, his family, and his enablers are laughing all the way to the bank, reaping the benefits of insider government contracts, and international corporate cronyism.

We have a Mad King setting in the Oval Office.

As commander-in-chief of the largest military power and nuclear arsenal in the world, he is without question the most powerful person in the world — and he knows it.

The Constitutional “checks and balances” of an elected Congress and independent Judiciary have, to this point, been an ineffective sideshow.

Active physical disruption is what the Mad King is hoping for. He will respond, of course, by calling out the troops and National Guard to even MORE towns and cities.

So what can we do?

On October 18th, people will be gathering in communities everywhere to express their outrage and opposition. Some will hold signs along the highway; others will be marching; and inevitably, in some cities and towns there will be disruption.

My hope is people will gather in strength and in large numbers — but always in a nonviolent and legal manner.

Other actions historically used in authoritarian countries to force regime change — include “national strikes” intended to halt significant economic activity across the country, AND economic disruption via targeted boycotts.

Case in point: Just FIVE days after the Disney/Hulu boycott began, Jimmy Kimmel was back at work.

At the end of the day, I always return to the maxim that has guided me for decades: Think globally and act locally.

We must prepare here at home, for the storm that is coming.

We must gas up the cars, buy the toilet paper and batteries and canned goods, and check on our elderly neighbors who live alone down the road.

And we MUST keep calling our Governor and other elected officials at all levels — to demand that they wake up, and take proactive actions to push back and protect us from our own federal government.
PLEASE watch that U.N. speech, then join us on October 18th.

Gary Hooser
former Hawaii State Senator, Majority Leader
garyhooser.blog
garyhooser.com
October 18th times and locations throughout Hawaii are here

The Environmental Notice provides public notice for projects undergoing environmental review in Hawaiʻi as mandated under Section 343-3, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, the Environmental Impact Statement Law

“The following agency exemption list, which serves as guidance for the agency in making exemptions, has been submitted to the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) for review and concurrence. At the request of the EAC, this draft exemption list is being published for public review and comment. Please click on the following link to view the list and submit any comments by October 8, 2025 to dbedt.opsd.erp@hawaii.gov ”

Comprehensive Exemption List for the State of Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation.

Important: Some of these proposed exemptions appear to be designed to specifically circumvent the current requirement (per recent Syngenta court case) that experimental research activity conducted on state owned agricultural lands must undergo a thorough environmental review as per HRS343.

Note on page 13 item 15 proposes exemptions for “research…into all aspects of agricultural production and processing”.

In addition there are other apparent blanket exemptions proposed for research connected activities and pesticide/chemical use etc

Please take a moment and read through the proposed exemptions and offer your comments ASAP and prior to October 8 to dbedt.opsd.erp@hawaii.gov

Gary Hooser

Uncertainty is the villain of the moment, and it can only be defeated through assertive action.

Waiting around for something bad to happen is — in and of itself — killing us.

As University of Hawai’i political scientist Colin Moore recently said so eloquently, “Hope is not a strategy.”

Thus, we must hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Our governor and legislative leaders have said repeatedly that there are no immediate plans for a “special legislative session,” and they’re “waiting to see” how Hawai’i will be impacted by the yet-to-be-passed federal budget.

For the past nine months the constant refrain, echoed in the media and from our own congressional delegation, has been THE SKY IS FALLING!

As DOGE has taken a chainsaw to public education, national parks, healthcare and just about every federal program in existence (except the military), we’ve been warned repeatedly about the “pending budget cuts” that are headed our way.

The Big Beautiful Bill raised further the specter of additional cuts to vital state services.

The President loudly threatens further budget cuts to various blue states, cities, and universities which have the audacity to disagree with him.

Meanwhile Hawai’i cowers in the corner, keeping our heads down and our mouths shut, hoping to avoid the ire or attention of the authoritarian who currently occupies the Oval Office.

But in the wise words of Professor Moore, “Hope is not a strategy.”

It is WAY past time for Hawai’i to move off the dime, exercise true proactive leadership, and prepare for what is now on our doorstep.

A special session is needed NOW to ensure that sufficient state funding is available to compensate for the pending federal budget cuts, and/or to enhance and improve existing programs.

A roll-back of the 2024 politically-driven state tax cuts, with an estimated cost of $1 billion per year starting next year, must be put on the table. A half billion dollars per year can easily be “recaptured” while continuing to preserve tax breaks for low-to-middle-income families.

Recently signed into law, Act 310 – which grants two state senators and two state representatives the power to decide, behind closed doors, which nonprofits get a piece of a pie worth $50 million — MUST be fixed. Formerly known as SB933, this is bad policy, bad politics, unconstitutional, AND corruption just waiting to happen.

A special session must also be used proactively to emulate California, which just became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces while conducting official business.

And of course, the 600 lb. gorilla in the room: Our governor and state legislature must insist, loudly, clearly, in writing, and in the courts if necessary – that the U.S. military must take full responsibility for Red Hill, clean up Makua and other locations, follow existing state law, comply with all existing lease conditions, AND stop bullying Hawaii’s people with threats to take Pōhakuloa by force via eminent domain.

I’ll repeat it once again: HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY. We need our Governor, and our state legislators to be PROACTIVE and to schedule a special session NOW.

If you agree and want to do more yourself than just “hope” they do the right thing – please share your thoughts TODAY with:

Governor Josh Green (808) 586-0034
Senate President Ron Kouchi 808-586-6030, senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
Speaker of the House Nadine Nakamura 808-586-6100, repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov
AND your district Senator and Representative
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

It will take our collective ACTION to turn our collective HOPE into the reality that we need and deserve.

Gary Hooser
garylhooser.blog

Every day we hear of senseless killings. Children die in their classrooms, political figures are assassinated in their homes and onstage, innocents are murdered without trial or sentencing, and there are tragic shootings in communities everywhere.

Gov. Josh Green’s recent statement about the rise of political violence gives us great hope.

He says, in part: “It is time for us to change who we are, oppose all violence against one another, and find ways to bridge our differences as fellow human beings, not as polarized adversaries.”

Our hope, and our request of Gov. Green today, is that he’ll turn his lofty words of inspiration into tangible action steps towards achieving that vision.

As he clearly states: “ … today, innocent civilians are needlessly dying every hour in war zones in Russia, Ukraine and Gaza, and also in the streets of America, all because we have lost some part of our collective humanity. We have come to accept some amount of violence against one another as though it’s normal or acceptable. It’s not normal. It’s not acceptable.”

You really and truly nailed it, governor.

Please lead us further down this path you’ve articulated so well, and don’t let your words simply be empty rhetoric.

Please say out loud that Hawaii wants no part of a values system that places the pursuit of war above the pursuit of peace.

Say out loud that Hawaii will not exchange our core values for a piece of the Department of War budget pie, no matter how large a piece is offered.

Please tell the world that neither bullying “warrior ethos,” intimidation, nor threats of retaliation are acceptable.

Then, Gov. Green, please take the next bold and crucial steps.

Declare your opposition to the U.S. military’s continued bombing of Pohakuloa, insist that the Army follow Hawaii law, and require them to clean up the mess they’ve already made.

Condemn the violence, and declare, for the whole world to hear and understand, that Hawaii is a place where peace and aloha are honored, respected and nurtured.

This is your opportunity to honor and support the mission of the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, as well as the vision of Aunty Pilahi Paki, who said: “The world will turn to Hawaii as they search for world peace because Hawaii has the key … and that key is aloha.”

Imagine, for a moment, Hawaii as a beacon of peace that sets an example for communities and countries around the globe.

Imagine people of all colors, of all ages, from all countries, all walks of life and all religions, looking to and learning from the example we set in our islands — an example grounded in the teachings of our kupuna, and in the island-based values that enabled so many to share and care for such a beautiful yet fragile home in the middle of the Pacific.

As we witness our children inherit nothing less than a dying planet, it is on all of us to redefine humankind’s very role as inhabitants of our grandmother Earth.

We cannot afford to let this opportunity to help lead a global pivot away from death and destruction, toward a new era of peace, justice and sustainability, slip through our generation’s fingers.

As you said, governor, our potential is extraordinary … and indeed, the world is watching.

Take these next steps. End the military leases. Help lead Hawaii, and the world, on a path toward peace.

Co-authored by:
Healani Sonoda-Pale is a kanaka maoli community organizer; Gary Hooser is a former Hawaii state senator; Wayne Tanaka is director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii.
First Published in the Honolulu StarAdvertiser 09/21/25