GaryHooser's Blog

1997 – Leave Jeffrey Alone

Leave Jeffrey Alone – reflections from July 6, 1997

Something I wrote for The Garden Island newspaper in 1997 about a man who lived on the beach at the bottom of the hill from where I live (IYKYK).

2011 – On Christmas Shopping, The Homeless And Tough Love

On Christmas Shopping, The Homeless And Tough Love

Our first reaction is to clear them from the parks.  We want to be able to throw frisbee, barbeque our burgers, and take our early morning and late afternoon jogs without the inconvenience, the unsightliness, and the fear that sometimes comes with being in close proximity to the mentally ill and others who lack contemporary social skills and whose personal hygiene may be inadequate.

2023 Getting rid of all those homeless people – A primer

Getting rid of all those homeless people – A primer

An acquaintance grabbed my ear recently saying, “Gary, how can we get rid of all those homeless people?” He went on to bemoan the presence of the poor and unwashed that seem to be sleeping under every bridge and in every doorway.

2023 On the houseless – take the drivel to your beer buddies

On the houseless – take the drivel to your beer buddies

And please don’t be that ignorant fool at the table bragging about how he worked 3 jobs, how he sacrificed, how he never took handouts, and how he pulled himself up by the bootstraps. If you don’t believe we have a basic human duty to help those less fortunate, just shut the front door (STFD) and take the drivel to your beer buddies outside.

2025 #1 No room at the inn

No Room at The Inn –

There’s no affordable housing, no beds available at emergency shelters. There’s not even a legal place for you to park your car and sleep overnight, let alone a campground with bathrooms and perhaps a shower.

And yet you’re told to move along.

We can, and must do better.

2025 #2 Sheltering the houseless – ending the sweeps

Sheltering the houseless; ending the sweeps

So, Hawai‘i: What are we going to do about it? What CAN we do about it?

A healthy diverse economy with living wage jobs and permanent affordable housing for local residents is of course key to long term success.

However the almost complete lack of adequate emergency shelters with the related essential services, requires immediate action.

2025 #3 The Haters Are Gonna Hate – more on the unsheltered

Yes, the uninformed, misinformed, and ignorant who don’t really care about the facts anyway – have triggered me.

So please hold on while I vent.

To the know-it-all haters out there, just shut the front door (STFD), find a comfortable chair and do some research of your own before spreading the tropes and stereotypes.

Haters gonna hate – more on the unsheltered

Gary Hooser

Last week’s column, “No Room At The Inn,” discussing the clear, hard, ugly truth of our unsheltered – struck a nerve.

People in general were surprised to learn that for the vast majority of our houseless – there are no beds available at emergency shelters. There’s not even a legal place for houseless people to park a car and sleep overnight, let alone a campground with bathrooms and perhaps a shower.

The immediate, ongoing, and overwhelming response from readers has been alarm, shock and sadness.

So, Hawai‘i: What are we going to do about it? What CAN we do about it?

A healthy diverse economy with living wage jobs and permanent affordable housing for local residents is of course key to long term success.

However the almost complete lack of adequate emergency shelters with the related essential services, requires immediate action.

There are many paths forward and all of us, policy makers, service providers, business owners, and the general public must join together on this one.

Our collective starting point is of course, personally and individually helping our friends and neighbors in need. Then we expand to donating and volunteering at nonprofits that provide food, shelter, and services.

We must quickly however shift gears towards a much needed immediate and emergency expansion of basic shelter capacity and of core services – ALL of which requires funding.

We must actively encourage our government leaders to aggressively support expanding emergency shelters, AND to implement safe zones (safe, legal places to park your car and sleep overnight and/or perhaps pitch a tent).

The Mayor and the Governor are responsible for administering government programs and writing checks to private non-profit service providers. Council-members and legislators pass laws/ordinances and budgets to support and sometimes push the administration to take action.

Unsheltered people have ZERO political power, and so those of us with roofs over our heads and empathy for our neighbors must step up to help in that area.

The Council and the Legislature can and must pass policy initiatives that defacto REQUIRE the expansion of emergency shelters, safe zones, and related services.

A simple ordinance such as the following could greatly motivate ALL sectors of our community, public and private – to treat the matter with the urgency it deserves:

“No person shall be prevented from standing, sitting, lying, or parking on public property, if they do not have legal access to private property and/or if there is no safe, accessible, public property designated for them to legally occupy. This ordinance shall take effect 180 days from approval and shall not apply to public buildings, nor prevent trespassing laws from being enforced on private property.”

In other words, before the unsheltered can be told to “move along,” there must be somewhere safe and accessible for them to move along TO.

It is essential, of course, for non-profit program providers to also proactively seek expansion of their existing programs. These organizations must aggressively seek additional funding (both public and private) — to add beds, increase staffing, improve facilities, and adopt safe zones as well.

Safe zones come in all shapes and sizes. One might consist of clean, flat ground for temporary camping, or a parking lot for those who live in their cars. Safe zones could be open from 6pm until 8am for sleeping only, or be a proper camp/community open to residents 24/7.

All must be provided with security, toilets, and, at minimum, an outdoor shower.

Or, a safe zone could be MORE. It could be a community of the formerly houseless in partnership with a local agricultural nonprofit, based on principles of land stewardship and self-sufficiency.

Imagine THAT.

Imagine a land stewardship organization providing living-wage jobs to our community — centered around restoring the land and providing locally grown food.

We know where we need to go — and we mustn’t stop until we get there.

Gary Hooser

If you’ve been following the Pōhakuloa military land lease issue, the below piece I wrote for Civil Beat might interest you.

The governor must follow state law and honor the Hawaiʻi Constitution. Civil Beat 11/13/25 Please read, comment, and share!

Gov. Josh Green is actively negotiating a Pōhakuloa deal with the Trump administration and the U.S. Army that violates the Hawaiʻi Constitution’s Article XI mandating public lands be preserved and protected, and Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes 343 requiring environmental review.

Additionally, HRS 205 (pertaining to conservation lands) as well as HRS 171 (prohibiting the sale or gift of public lands except with approval by a two-thirds majority of the Legislature) will likely be violated if Green’s plan moves forward.

The U.S. Army may, under the guise of national security, attempt to circumvent Hawaiʻi law via condemnation and eminent domain.

However, the governor of the state of Hawaiʻi has sworn an oath to defend and uphold these same laws.

The language in the Hawaiʻi Constitution, Article XI, Section 1 is unequivocal:

“For the benefit of present and future generations, the State and its political subdivisions shall conserve and protect Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State. All public natural resources are held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people.”

Notice it says the state “shall” conserve and protect — not “may” and certainly not “unless the Federal Government or some other entity pays the State enough money” or “unless the land is taken by condemnation.”

The existing lease for the Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaiʻi island does not expire until 2029, yet the governor is insistent that a deal with the Army must be concluded by the end of this year.

On Nov. 5, Gov. Green said he will “convene a Joint Negotiation Team within 10 days to define settlement parameters.” (which he did) https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/11/hawaii-governor-advisory-panel-military-land-negotiations/

What’s the rush, governor?

Why not simply ask the Army to follow the law, including by conducting a thorough and complete environmental impact statement; to clean up the lands they’ve degraded during the past 60 years; and to stop the bombing?

Then, and only then, should negotiations begin.

Why not make this Hawaiʻi’s starting point for negotiation?

Why not explain to the Army — as directly, politely, and professionally as possible — that it’s inappropriate, unethical, and illegal for the governor of Hawai‘i to authorize a contract that violates state law and the state’s constitution?

Perhaps Gov. Green could also remind the Army about what happened at the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in Colorado. It took that community 10 years, but they never gave up, and the Army ultimately canceled their land acquisition plans.

Perhaps it’s also time for the governor to assure the Army that, although he believes in a strong defense and supports our men and women in uniform, it’s possible the residents of Hawaiʻi will respond negatively, loudly, and publicly, should the Army attempt to take these lands by force.

Imagine the road to Pōhakuloa lined with citizens, day after day, holding signs expressing their views to both hometown soldiers and visitors from other countries.

Imagine this scene at military installations across all the islands.

My hope is that Gov. Green will rethink his fast-track strategy.

Instead, I hope he’ll explain to the U.S. Army and the Trump administration, as clearly as possible, that if they choose to force a land seizure via eminent domain, just like the community at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in Colorado – we will fight them every step of the way using every legal, moral, and ethical tool in the books — until we win.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser

After reading about “homeless sweeps” occurring across all Hawaiʻi, I thought I’d try an experiment to evaluate the availability of emergency shelters in each County.

I went online, searched “homeless shelters” and “homeless services” in all four Counties, and started making phone calls. My goal was to help a fictional homeless couple searching for a safe place to sleep.

After over 20 phone calls, I could not find a single shelter on ANY island that could tell me they had a place for this couple to sleep.

My fictional homeless couple was invited to come down for an “intake interview,” after which they’d be put on a waiting list. I was also told, repeatedly, “There’s nothing available tonight,” and no promises for tomorrow or the next day.

If you’re a single male and don’t mind sleeping next to a bunch of other single males, there might be a place for you. First, however, you must come in for an evaluation. Only then will you know whether or not you’ll have a bed for the night.

80% of my telephone calls were answered by machines that required me to navigate through various responses and ultimately leave a message for a return call.

My first call to an organization purportedly offering statewide support for the homeless yielded this message: “The service you are calling is not available from this location. If this is an emergency, please dial 911.”

I searched online for the organization and found another number.

After navigating an unnecessarily complex AI menu — “Press 1, Press 2, Press 3, please complete the short survey” — I was eventually connected to a human, who gave me another number for a family emergency shelter.

No one answered there, and I was directed by an answering machine to leave a message. I then called the men’s shelter, thinking that if the couple had to split and stay in different shelters, that still might be acceptable.

The person answering at the men’s shelter told me the homeless man I was trying to help had to come down in person for an interview to determine whether there was space at the shelter for him or not.

I was trying my darnedest just to find a place for two people to sleep for the night, and was completely unable to do so. Unfortunately, the situation in every county was the same.

The 2024 Hawaii Homeless Point In Time census counted 6,389 people statewide experiencing homelessness. 62% or 3,961 of those individuals were unsheltered.

The entire inventory of emergency shelter beds on all islands COMBINED is less than 2,500.

Imagine: You’re homeless, living in your car, at the beach, in the woods, on the road… and YOU’RE the one making desperate phone calls (assuming you have a phone) and navigating a system that doesn’t have any beds available anyway.

Imagine the police coming through in the middle of the night, telling you to “move along.”

Where are you supposed to go???

There’s literally NO LEGAL PLACE for you to sit, lie down or sleep.

There’s no affordable housing, no beds available at emergency shelters. There’s not even a legal place for you to park your car and sleep overnight, let alone a campground with bathrooms and perhaps a shower.

And yet you’re told to move along.

We can, and must do better.

The lack of adequate shelters and related services and staffing is an EMERGENCY.

We must dramatically expand funding, staffing, and facility support for the obviously overworked and under-resourced providers of homeless services. They’re valuable members of our community, working in sometimes the darkest and most depressing of circumstances — and they deserve full-throated and tangible support from both State and County government.

Emergency homeless shelters and related services must be made a priority.

And we must STOP THE SWEEPS until that happens.

Gary Hooser
For those interested: Here is my very first piece on the Homeless written in 1997 entitled Leave Jeffrey Alone – about a man who lived on the beach at the bottom of the hill from where I live.

Another of my blog piece’s that try’s to put it all into perspective Getting rid of all those homeless people – A primer

Note: In my research I could find no evidence that validates the persistent rumors that other states or municipalities are sending us their homeless and houseless people. READ Are other states sending their homeless people here?

Also, while it’s true that some of the unsheltered do not like the “rules and structure” they must follow at the shelters – the fundamental fact of the matter is that our emergency shelters on every island are full and have waiting lists of people who DO want to use the shelter as a safe place to sleep. We must expand the number of beds and rooms and we must increase support for staffing and related services.

Check out these two OHA agenda for Wednesday and Thursday and TESTIFY!

Constitutional amendment to PROHIBIT LIVE-FIRE MILITARY TRAINING ON PUBLIC TRUST LANDS

Ban commercial aquarium extraction and collection activities, as provided in Attachment A.

Establish a statewide limit on annual rent increases, as provided in Attachment C.

Click to access BAE-Electronic-Folder-11-12-25.pdf

Wednesday, November 12th, at 9:00 a.m., the Office of Hawaiian Affairs BAE Committee will be hearing Action Item #25-08, which proposes adding to OHA’s 2026 Legislative Package a bill calling for a constitutional amendment (CONAM) in the 2026 election that would prohibit live-fire military training on public trust lands. Public testimony will be accepted on this item. The proposed bill was recently adopted at the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention in Kona last weekend by an overwhelming 3-to-1 margin.

PROPOSED ACTION: Approval of Bills for OHA’s 2026 Legislative Package:

Motion 1: RELATING TO COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION Approve as part of the 2026 OHA Legislative Package, the proposed measure “Relating to Commercial Aquarium Collection” to amend Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapters 188 and 189 to ban commercial aquarium extraction and collection activities, as provided in Attachment A.

Motion 2: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XI OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROHIBIT LIVE-FIRE MILITARY TRAINING ON PUBLIC TRUST LANDS Approve as part of the 2026 OHA Legislative Package, the measure “Proposing an Amendment to Article XI of the Hawai‘i state Constitution to Prohibit Live-Fire Military Training on Public Trust Lands,” as provided in Attachment B.

Motion 3: RELATING TO RENT STABILIZATION Approve as part of the 2026 OHA Legislative Package, the proposed measure “Relating to Rent Stabilization” to amend Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 521 to establish a statewide limit on annual rent increases, as provided in Attachment C.

Next

Thursday, November 13th, at 10:00 a.m., the OHA Board of Trustees will convene to adopt the full legislative package—including the CONAM bill, should it pass in BAE the day prior—and to consider Action Item #25-10, which would approve OHA’s initial actions regarding the ongoing lease negotiations. Check out the full agenda and testify!

Click to access BOT-Electronic-Folder-11132025.pdf

Wow! The strong and immediate response from readers to last weeks column, “From my na’au to yours” was both hugely gratifying and somewhat unsettling.

The incoming tide of emotion, love, and aloha, was intense.

Too often our na’au gets buried in the tragedy and injustice. We forget how beautiful our world is, how fortunate we are, and the tremendous potential we hold.

Yes…the work is hard and draining and necessary…and we gotta recharge and reflect and remember the good in the world too.

And then we must get back to work.

I’m asking you to join me today in doing both – reflect, connect, be thankful AND take tangible action to make our world a better place.

The first thing on my list is to honor and help a friend.

Ray Catania is the real deal. He’s a working class hero who lives and breathes and fights daily for social and economic justice.

On October 24, Brother Ray, after collapsing with enormous pain in his spine was airlifted from Kauaʻi to Straub Medical Center on Oahu.

It’s been touch and go, but thankfully he’s pulled through and now in a specialized nursing care facility.

Whenever there’s a battle for the rights of Hawai’i’s everyday people, you can always count on Ray to be there, on the streets, in the union halls, or at the Capitol, tirelessly defending the rights of working people, children, and families.

Ray Catania has dedicated his life to helping others and today he needs our help. Please join me in making a GoFundMe contribution

After helping Ray, please take one other IMPORTANT action – then go outside and take a walk, smell the plumeria, say hello to your neighbors down the street – and feel good.

According to numerous media reports: In 2022, the FBI tape-recorded an influential state legislator accepting $35,000 either as an illegal bribe or an unreported, unethical, and likely illegal contribution to support a campaign.

Unfortunately, there’s been no public disclosure as to who this “influential legislator” is.

Is he or she still holding public office? If so, what new laws or new budget appropriations are they supporting with their influence?

Today, as your second important action, I’m asking you to join me again – this time in the signing of a petition requesting an official investigation to determine if the “influential legislator” is still in office or not, what consequences they face, and what’s being done to get to the bottom of this very ugly mess.

Signatures from across the islands are important but it goes without saying, because Senate President Ronald Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura both represent Kauaʻi – signatures from Kauaʻi residents are especially impactful.

Speaker Nakamura has to her credit reached out for guidance from State and Federal legal/law enforcement agencies.

However this petition remains an essential and important vehicle that sends a strong message to everyone, in every branch of government.

Public corruption will not be tolerated, and may not be merely swept under the rug.

The formula for civic engagement and staying happy and healthy is pretty straight-forward.

#1) Help a friend. (Help Ray!)
#2) Take tangible action to improve our community. (Sign the petition!)
#3) Refuse to accept the negative. (Help Ray and sign the petition!)
#4) Go outside, breathe in the beauty of our islands.
#5) Hug someone you love, and mahalo those who help.

Please.
Let’s do it.
Every. Single. Day.

Gary Hooser

I walked alone this morning — led by my naʻau, immersed in thought, wrapped in contemplation of all that’s going on around us.

The 1984/Orwellian lyrics of Pink Floyd’s, “Another Brick In The Wall” had been repeating in my mind over and over again during the night – so, as the sun remained hidden beneath the horizon to the east, I went on my phone and while walking…listened to the full 9 minutes and 8 seconds of the mesmerizing, depressing and repetitious message “All in all, you’re just another brick in the wall…”.

Unable and unwilling to accept the negativity of it all, I scrambled to find that anthem of rebellion that changed the lives of many in my generation – Bob Dylan’s – “Come senators, congressmen…Please heed the call…Don’t stand in the doorway…Don’t block up the hall…For he that gets hurt…Will be he who has stalled…The battle outside ragin’…Will soon shake your windows And rattle your walls…For the times they are a-changin’

I felt better immediately, picked up my pace, and glanced east to see the sun blazing above the water, the faint silhouette of Oahu in the distance.

Amazingly, as is the nature of YouTube music videos, whether driven by AI, my own predictable algorithms, or perhaps the good Lord stepping in to help – the next song to automatically queue up was Brother Iz – “And I think to myself…What a wonderful world…”.

By this time my stride was strong and determined.

I turned and looked towards Mt. Waialeale, bathed in the morning sunlight, the tiniest of waterfalls glistening ever so slightly.

My thoughts turned to family and friends, to children and grandchildren, and to my extended ohana residing through-out the islands, across the continent, to the shores of Africa and beyond.

I thought about those folks, young and old. I thought about all the work still yet to be done, about the uncertainty of our collective future, and about what my role will, should or can be.

I realized then that each of us is most likely having a similar conversation.

Each of us continuously seeks out that path, the one that maximizes our talents, fulfills our needs, and does the greatest good.

While strolling through the thoughts and solitude, a fourth and closing song came to mind.

I paused beneath a plumeria tree, took out my phone, and searched one more time for brother Bob Dylan…and then strolled the rest of the way back to my car listening to one of my all time favorites – Forever Young.

Dylan wrote this for his children and I include it here today for my family and friends, young and old, wherever you might live, whatever role you might play, and whatever path might be before you.

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young

It goes without saying that I returned home from my morning walk strong, healthy, and invigorated – in mind, body, and spirit.

I encourage you to try it.

Go outside, take a walk if you can. Listen to Brother Iz and Brother Bob.

Trust me. You’ll feel better.

Gary

Heads Up! Action Needed Now….
I receive an email this morning forwarded to me from Indivisible Oahu that said:
*****************************************************
“We have just received news that the Hawaiʻi State Senator Majority Caucus is meeting Thursday October 30 to discuss the possibility of convening a Special Legislative Session.”

This is OUR OPPORTUNITY to be heard.

Call your State Senator AND your State House Representative! DO IT NOW!!

Call today October 30 asap before noon if possible but before the end of the day!

Find your Hawaiʻi Legislative Senators and Representatives contact info by going to:

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

IF NO ONE ANSWERS, LEAVE A VOICEMAIL:

Follow These Simple + Direct Talking Points:

My name is ____ and I live in ____. I am calling because I want Hawaiʻi lawmakers to go into Special Session in November, and immediately pass laws that address three urgent issues:

NO Masking/NO Secret Police
NO Closing of Community Health Centers & Hospitals
NO Hungry Keiki, Kupuna & Families
*************************************************
AND I would remind those legislators who are Democrats – that the Hawaiʻi Democratic Party also strongly supports holding a special session!

I would add IN ADDITION to calling YOUR State Senator and Representative also call:

Governor Josh Green: (808) 586-0034
Senate President Ronald Kouchi: 808-586-6030
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura: 808-586-6100

All calls should be professional and courteous. You will like speak to a staff person or get voice mail to leave a message.

Call today October 30, asap this morning before noon!

************************************************************
Other notes and my thoughts on how a special session works.

What happens, what are the rules

Basically bills are introduced – Section 15. No bill shall become law unless it shall pass three readings in each house on separate days then go to Conference Committee if needed and then pass out to the governor.

One example:
A bill is introduced on the floor on day one (first reading), scheduled for a committee public hearing on day 3 or 4, then goes back to the floor (second reading day 5 or 6) then goes to the final committee day 8 or 9 and back to the floor for final vote (third reading on day 10 or 11)…then “crosses over” to the other chamber and does the same thing…so will take 18 to 25 “session days” unless very rushed and multiple committee hearings combined into one.

One concern is that legislature rams through a bunch of bills with minimal public process.

Which is why they should start now…holding hearings prior to the start of any special session…to work out any bugs/concerns about the various bills.

What can be accomplished?

Just about anything…my hope is that:

Funding would be made available to support those essential and important programs negatively impacted or likely to be impacted by Trumps administration

Proactive legislation to deal with the ICE issue could be passed

Taxes on the very wealthy could be raised…the same groups that are receiving tax cuts from the Big Beautiful Bill and also received tax cuts from last years Hawaii legislation…billions of dollars could be raised

To further satisfy and inspire the public…”good government” and “campaign spending reform bills could also be passed. Prohibit the “two ticket to a fundraiser” money laundering…and ditto to the government contractor family and friends loophole.

*Either a 2/3 majority of the House and Senate can call a special session and/or the Governor can call one.

*A special session can be used to pass the laws necessary to provide funding for SNAP and other public services that are being cut by the federal administration.

*A special session can be used to pass any state law or resolution that the legislature feels is necessary for any state government purpose.

*The legislative action during a special session is not limited to just those issues impacted by the federal budget cuts or the federal government shut-down.

*The public needs to be “on their toes” as bills are often rushed and the special session sometimes used to pass legislation not directly related to the initial and overt reasons for hosting the session.

*The process is the same as used in a regular session however often the legislature will utilize short-cuts such as combining committee hearings – in order to fast track bill passage.

*The additional cost of hosting a special session is minimal and consists mostly of extra staff time.

*Special sessions are limited to 30 “session days” see actual constitutional language below..

Article 3 Section 10

At the written request of two-thirds of the members to which each house is entitled, the presiding officers of both houses shall convene the legislature in special session. At the written request of two-thirds of the members of the senate, the president of the senate shall convene the senate in special session for the purpose of carrying out its responsibility established by Section 3 of Article VI. The governor may convene both houses or the senate alone in special session.

Special sessions shall be limited to a period of thirty days. Any session may be extended a total of not more than fifteen days.

There could be “recess days” that don’t count as session days.

This concludes my brain dump on special sessions…

Please take action and call today…before noon if possible but no later than by the end of today.

Gary

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.