GaryHooser's Blog

2024 Legislative Session

A brief list of some of the priority bills moving through the process, that if passed into law could make a tangible and positive difference in the lives of many.

Note: I understand there are perhaps hundreds more that could be put on this list and I have included here only a handful. Please check with the many advocacy organizations listed here for a more complete overview.

Clean Elections – Publicly Funded Elections: SB2381

Paid family leave: HB 2757, SB 2474

Child tax credit: HB 1662

Legalizing cannabis: SB 3335

Decriminalization of cannabis: HB 1596

Capital gains tax: HB 1660, SB 2325

Education funding ConAm: HB 1537

Pesticide protections SB 3316, SB 3315, SB 2366

Marriage equality ConAm: HB 2802

Gender-affirming care: HB 2079

Bail reform: HB 1603

Funding for homeless and Housing: HB 2629

State land leases: SB 2759

Midwifery: SB 2969 and HB 2649 Relating to Access to Reproductive Care”

Water systems: HB 2694, SB 2978 (would allow the state to take over private water systems on Maui–

Israel/Gaza Ceasefire Resolution – SR 6 and SCR 13

It’s easy to be a cynic and in these times of hardship and turmoil, it’s very hard to be optimistic.

But we must have hope, we must dream and believe in a better world, and we must work hard to turn that hope and those dreams into reality.

Otherwise what options do we have? Give up? Roll over? Just give them the keys, move to the side, and look the other way?

Fat chance. Not in our neighborhood, and not on our watch.

Think about for a second, that moment in the future when our children and grandchildren will ask the question, “Where were you Dad? Mom? Grandpa? Grandma?”.

“Where were you when the planet was burning, when thousands of our neighbors lived under bridges and in bushes at the side of the road, and when children were dying and the world did nothing?”

We of course must be prepared to tell them and show them, that win, lose, or draw, we were on the right side of history. We must be able to look them in the eye and tell them that we fought hard for them, and through our collective action the world is a better place. Still imperfect perhaps, still with more work to do, but a better place nonetheless.

I’m actually feeling a sense of hope and optimism today in our local community, focused on local issues. Perhaps Hawai’i can after-all, emulate the 2023 Minnesota legislature.

In a single year Minnesota passed legislation that included: free breakfast and lunch for all children in school; a state-run paid family and medical leave program; legalized recreational cannabis; free in-state college tuition; a reduction of taxes for low and middle-income households; a ban on PFAS “forever chemicals”; codified abortion rights; boosted funding for schools and more.

Hawai’i could be poised to do something similar. The bills are on the table, the hearings have been scheduled, advocates from throughout the islands are paying attention and sending in their testimony. It’s an election year. Perhaps I’m being naive, or perhaps now is the time for the passage of good, forward-thinking public policy.

This could be a watershed year for Hawai’i. We could step up and ensure our friends and family on Maui are treated with the respect and priority they deserve, AND we can take some big steps down a positive path of change that supports and provides affordable housing for local residents, funds our public schools properly, protects our health and natural environment, removes barriers once and for all for the LGBTQ community, and levels the elections playing field for future generations. There is also growing momentum in support of global peace and a reduction of the military foot-print in our islands – starting with Pōhakuloa.

Yes, we can actually do this.

Or not. This year could also turn out like so many others. If we’re lucky a few crumbs are thrown our way and a few baby steps are taken in the right direction.

The determining factor lies not in the mood or the inclination of the politicians but rather in the commitment or lack thereof by you and me.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting too old to accept crumbs and baby steps.

Bottom line: When we show up, we win. If not, well then it’s our own damn fault.

The cards are stacked at this moment in time in our favor. The bills are on the table. Most have already been vetted and are already moving in the right direction through the process.

It’s an election year. Yes, I know I said that already, but want to drive the point home.

Let’s do this.

Get on the email list of local advocacy organizations. Submit testimony in support of their priority bills. Info is here: https://garyhooser.blog/2024/02/12/advocacy-groups-action-alerts/

Together we can.

Directory of Advocacy Organizations and Groups in Hawai’i that monitor public policy initiatives and issue action alerts seeking public testimony. These groups share my general values – Please visit their websites, sign-up for the action alerts, stay informed on the issues, and submit testimony!

Please lmk via the comments any organizations you believe are missing –

To be included the group/organization must have a website, be involved in public policy issues, monitor bills and issue “action alerts” seeking testimony or related actions, and must have posted on their website their Board of Directors, sponsors of the org, or otherwise what individuals are managing/leading their efforts – anonymous groups will not be posted.

ACLU Hawai’i – Protecting civil liberties and free speech
https://www.acluhi.org

ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures – Native Hawaiian voices, values, and experiences – economic recovery for ʻāina aloha
https://www.ainaalohafutures.com

Chamber of Sustainable Commerce – Strengthening our economy without hurting workers, communities, or the environment.
https://www.chamberofsustainablecommerce.org

Common Cause Hawai’i– Good government, election reform, ethics and lobbyist regulation. https://www.commoncause.org/hawaii

Conservation Council for Hawai’i– Environmental Legislative Network (ELN) https://www.conservehawaii.org/get-involved/environmental-legislative-network

Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) – Fair and Sustainable Food Systems, Community Based Stewardship, Reclaiming Democracy, Social/Economic Justice
https://www.hapahi.org

Hawai’i AppleSeed – Social and economic justice, affordable housing, tax reform
https://hiappleseed.org

Hawai’i Children’s Action Network (HCAN) – Keeping children safe, healthy, ready to learn https://www.hawaii-can.org

Hawai’i Public Health Institute – Food and agriculture, transportation, public safety, oral health, healthy eating + active living (HEAL), tobacco, drug and alcohol prevention https://www.hiphi.org

Hawai’i Workers Center – Fair wages, worker rights, tenant rights https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/action/

Hawai’i’s 1,000 Friends – Legislature Good and Bad Bill Alerts – Environmental/Cultural
http://www.hawaiis1000friends.org

HuliPac – Big Island centered grass-roots political and policy action
https://www.hulihi.com

Indivisible Hawai’i – A pro-democracy citizen activist group whose mission is to protect and enhance the institutions of democracy, resist Trumpism by engaging our elected officials at all levels of government and promote progressive and democratic values. https://indivisiblehawaii.org/

Maui Tomorrow – Protects Maui’s precious natural areas and prime open space for recreational use and aesthetic value, promotes the concept of ecologically sound development, and preserves the opportunity for a rural lifestyle on Maui. https://mauitomorrow.org/

Our Hawai’i – Building a movement to create a Hawai’i that puts kama’āina and kānaka maoli — not big money interests — first.
https://our-hawaii.org

Pacific Birth Collective – midwifery and related
https://pacificbirthcollective.org/Midwifery-in-Hawaii

Pono Hawai’i Initiative (PHI) – Empower people-driven political leadership to achieve economic, social, and environmental justice.
https://ponohawaiiinitiative.org

Save Koloa – Environmental and Community protection – Fighting bad poorly planned developments on Kauai. https://savekoloa.com/

Sierra Club of Hawai’i – Environmental protection, Red Hill, sea level rise, over-development
https://sierraclubhawaii.org

Surfrider Foundation Hawai’i – Protect and enjoy, ocean, waves, and beaches
https://hawaii.surfrider.org

I Ola Wailuanui – Kauaʻi centered – Support the cultural enrichment, historic preservation, land conservation & spiritual nourishment of Wailuanuiaho’ano – no hotel. The time of the Coco Palms Hotel has passed.https://www.wailuanui.org/

350 Hawaii – Climate change
https://350hawaii.org

70 years ago, on January 19, 1954, at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego California, my beautiful mother (who is 91 years old by the way), gave birth, to me…Gary Lee Hooser.

Thank you Mom! 😉

It’s been a good 70 years.

We moved to Hawai‘i in 1970 where I attended Radford High School, graduating (just barely) in 1972.

My parents and two brothers moved “back to the mainland” and I stayed, first living in Maunawili on Oahu’s windward side, then Kāneʻohe, then still later in Waikīkī – before landing permanently on the east side of Kauaʻi in 1980.

My beautiful wife Claudette has undoubtedly played a key role in “keeping me on track” after dragging me off the streets of Waikīkī in 1980. We have two incredibly awesome children, Dylan (Leeona) and Kelli-Rose (Justin), and 4 equally incredible grandchildren – Rixon, Isabella, Kaliyah, and Harper.

Read about how Claudette and I first met – https://garyhooser.blog/2019/05/17/on-the-occasion-of-my-39th-wedding-anniversary/

We live now with our faithful and very handsome, American Staffordshire Terrier, and best friend, Maximus Aurelious (Max) in Wailua Homesteads on Kauaʻi in the house our children grew up in. My days are spent serving as the volunteer Board President for the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) a 501C3 nonprofit and Executive Director of Pono Hawai‘i Initiative (PHI) a 501C4 nonprofit. In my free time, I help other non-profits, and I write. I love the writing part and it’s a growing part of my life.

I’ve learned a whole lot over the past 55 years working as a dishwasher, an operating engineer apprentice, pedicab driver, door-to-door salesman (cookware and fire alarms), truck driver, FunFactory manager, Real Estate Broker, small business owner, window and carpet cleaner, magazine publisher, County Council Member, State Senator and Majority Leader, Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and serving on various nonprofit Boards. I’ve run for office 10 times, winning 6 and losing 4.

While some would say it looks like I couldn’t keep a steady job, others will say that variety is the spice of life. In any case, I wouldn’t change any of it.

It’s been a roller coaster at times, with some deep lows and some totally phenomenal highs. But without question, I am blessed, my life has been a good one, and I feel good about what I’ve done and who I am. Like everyone, I’ve made my share of mistakes over the years, but I’ve learned from them (mostly) and like a good whiskey or fine wine (bad metaphor given my diet)…I like to think, I’ve gotten better with age.

My health is good. In the past year I’ve began paying serious attention to the basics of self-care, eating right (mostly plant-based and no alcohol), and exercising (10,000 steps per day).

Consequently, I’ve lost 50 lbs, feel great, and take zero medications. Read about my health and self-care journey- https://garyhooser.blog/2023/09/20/personal-reflections-crossing-bridges-and-walking-about/

As I now enter the prime of my life, the words “if I knew then what I know now” jump to mind. The beautiful truth of today and this particular moment in time is that I do know now. I have 70 years of life experience that’s prepared me well for the years to come.

I’m better prepared than ever for whatever new challenge or adventure is ahead, and ready now to make the next 10 years the most productive and positive ones of them all.

Perhaps then I may truly retire and work in the garden, play a little golf, and putter around the garage. Yea right…trust me…that’s never going to happen. Note: My editor/daughter eye-rolled hard, and gave me a virtual poke when reading this.

There’s work still left to do. There are mountains still yet to climb and there’s a new legion of climbers to support, train, and mentor for the future. And yes, there are still too many people living under bridges, our planet is still burning, and thousands of innocent people are killed daily in war torn areas around the globe.

So to be clear, I’m not going anywhere, and I’m entering this next phase of life stronger and more committed than ever before.

You are most likely reading this, because you are either also engaged in the battle or itching to roll up your sleeves and join in the fray. From the bottom of my heart I offer you all my sincerest thanks for being there – standing shoulder-to-shoulder in our common quest to make the world a better place.

Yes we need to do more and I invite everyone, I implore and beg everyone – to join me in renewed energy and commitment. We must continue to spread the word, enroll others, and continue to take ownership of and responsibility for our common future.

We fight, we win, we have good fun (that’s the self-care part). Of course we lose some too, but we keep fighting, keep pushing, and keep helping our friends and neighbors.

Mahalo plenty to all who are out there in the trenches working hard in our community and giving what they can to help others do the work as well.

And of course, if you want to help on my 70th birthday, I’ll take it 😉

Below is a very short birthday wish list.

1 ** Sharing and plugging my blog https://garyhooser.blog/ TODAY with your own social media networks would be awesome, easy, and help me expand my own networks 😉

2 ** And yes, supporting the work financially via an online or mail contribution to Pono Hawai‘i Initiative (PHI), whether $7, or $70, $700, or whatever, – would totally make my day. I promise to put it to good use making good trouble. My goal for 2024 is to make big-kine-good-trouble 😉

https://ponohawaiiinitiative.org/https/donate/phi

Mahalo to all for any help and support you can offer – TODAY especially 😉.

And it goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway- If I can ever help or add value to any community project you’re working on, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser

Note on fundraising: Every dollar given to PHI will be used in the pursuit of peace, justice, and environmental protection.Because PHI is legally permitted to actively and aggressively engage in political and policy advocacy, and follows all reporting rules and regulations that go with that – contributions are not tax deductible.

Note: Sign up for my somewhat unconventional email newsletter (though it’s not really a newsletter but I don’t know what else to call it) – Policy & Politics at
https://policy-and-politics.ma
ilchimpsites.com

Sent from my iPhone

It’s easy to imagine the scene at the big square building in Honolulu, Wednesday January 17 – opening day of the 2024 legislative session. There will be “pomp and circumstance”, important people rubbing shoulders with other important people, high-minded rhetoric spoken from the floor of the House and Senate Chambers, and a common message intended to dampen expectations.

Maui, rightfully so, will be the lead topic and strong commitments will be made to do everything possible to help our friends and neighbors in Lahaina.

The state budget and lack of money will be the next point made. Various speakers will stress that the legislature will likely have to delay many important and pressing needs.

My hope is after dampening expectations (a smart political move in an election year), our friends at the legislature will then on May 3 sine die, surprise us and far exceed them.

Balancing the budget, and paying for basic essentials is always an issue. However it’s also always true there are many ways new money can be found without impacting the average local resident. Increased taxes and fees for visitors, off-island investors, and large multi-national corporations are a good place to start.

Passing a publicly funded “Clean Elections” measure requires only modest first year funding since 2026 is the earliest it would take effect. It’s a top priority of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and sitting in every single key position in the House and Senate is a Hawai‘i Democrat.

Strengthening SNAP benefits for low income families is actually an economic driver bringing in more federal dollars that are spent in local grocery stores and farmers markets. Allowing these benefits to be utilized in local restaurants further helps our small businesses.

Other initiatives that will have a zero budget impact include:

Require rental-car companies to be “all electric” within X years. Increase tax rates on gasoline powered rental cars to incentivize the transition. This will decrease greenhouse gas emissions and provide an inventory of used EV’s for purchase by local residents. Require hotels to provide charging stations.

Ban the sale or prohibit the use of cancer causing chemicals within X miles from schools, hospitals, houses, parks, and drinking water sources.

Allow traditional birthing attendants to legally attend and support home-birthing upon the request of an expectant mother who has been fully informed as to attendants qualifications. House Majority Leader, Kauai Representative Nadine Nakamura will play an influential role in determining the future of this measure. For background and updates go to the Hawaii Home Birth Collective: https://hihbc.org/

Prohibit the incarceration of people who’ve not been convicted of any crime and are awaiting trial – unless they’re considered a flight risk, have a history of violence, are chronic reoffenders, subject to restraining order, or the crime they’re accused involves violence. Almost half the people in jail (@ $253 per day), are “pre-trial detainees” who are poor and cannot afford bail.

Prohibit referral of bills to the Finance or Ways and Means committee unless there’s a direct budget impact. Require bill amendments be in writing and available for public review at least 48 hours in advance of the vote. Prohibit bill deferral by committee without a vote.

Require affordable housing permit processing to take precedence over all other permitting requests. This doesn’t mean cutting corners, but does mean affordable housing for local residents must always be at front of the line.

Pass a House/Senate Concurrent Resolution calling for a complete ceasefire in Gaza/Israel similar to the Resolution passed by the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i.

Well there you have it – 12 different public policy proposals, 3 that raise money, 1 with modest and phased in costs, and the rest with minimal to zero budget impact.

I’m absolutely sure that advocates walking the halls at the Capitol today, the armchair quarterbacks at home watching, and those guys in suits smiling and shaking hands, can come up with many more.

Now we just need the political will. That will happen when you call your district Representative and Senator, and ask them politely and professionally to make it so. Find your district Rep/Sen contact info here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/

Gary Hooser
Subscribe at https://www.garyhooser.com/
First published 01/17/24 in The Garden Island newspaper

“Prior to appearing before the County Council or administrative agency, a lobbyist shall orally disclose his or her status as a lobbyist and the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is appearing.” Kauaʻi County Ordinance #999

While it’s an all too common occurrence for a locally well-connected attorney (or other influential insider) to sit at the microphone testifying to Commissioner’s and Councilmember’s clearly advocating on behalf of and attempting to convince them of a developers good intent, never have I heard them say out-loud, “I am a lobbyist representing XYZ developer.”

Nor have I heard them say, “I’m here today because these guys are paying me good money to come here to say nice things about them and their project. I’ve known you Commissioner’s and Councilmember’s for a long time. You know I would not say this if I didn’t really mean it. Please pass whatever it is they’re asking for.”

“Lobbyist” means any individual who for pay or other consideration engages in lobbying on behalf of another person in excess of five (5) hours in any month or any reporting period…or spends more than $750 lobbying during any reporting period.

“Lobbying” means communicating, directly or through an agent, or soliciting other to communicate, with a State of County officer or employee for the purpose of attempting to influence any Legislative action or Administrative action.

Read the ordinance: https://www.kauai.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/county-council/documents/lobbyist-registration/ordinance_no._999.pdf

To be clear, attorneys who limit their actions to “advise their clients on the construction or impact of the legislative or administrative action” may not meet the definition of lobbyist.

However, those attorneys who sit at the table and testify in front of Commissioners and Councilmember’s ”For the purpose of attempting to influence any legislative action or administrative action” and spend more than 5 hours in any month – are de facto paid lobbyists and required to file and disclose.

The threshold is 5 hours per month and a single meeting of the Kauaʻi Planning Commission or Kauaʻi County Council will sometimes exceed that, not to mention the “meeting before the meeting and the meeting after the meeting” and the phone calls and emails between the meeting.

Read for yourself the list of who has and who has not filed as a Kauaʻi County lobbyist. https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Council/Lobbyist-Registration

Remember, everyone who testifies on any issue is “lobbying” but not everyone who participates in lobbying is a “lobbyist”.

It’s only those individuals who are paid to influence or who spend over a certain amount for the purpose of influencing who are by definition lobbyist’s. These people need to register, file reports AND DISCLOSE THAT THEY ARE A LOBBYIST ORALLY PRIOR TO OFFERING TESTIMONY.

The Kauaʻi lobbyist law known as ordinance #999, was originally introduced by yours truly, as Bill 2164. It was passed by a unanimous vote of the full Council on March 23, 2016 and signed into law by then Mayor Bernard Carvalho on March 30, 2016.

The County Clerk is responsible for administering Ordinance 999 and enforcement is via the Kauaʻi Ethics Commission.

My hope is that Ordinance #999 might be enforced.

My further hope is that it would be amended in the future to require anyone testifying, to disclose if they receive or will receive any direct financial benefit from the entity or related entities seeking approval/disapproval before that government body. This language would ensure public disclosure by employees, subcontractors, vendors, and others who have a direct financial benefit but who may not “lobby” the 5 hours per month required for lobbyist disclosure.

The people in the audience, the people responsible for casting the ultimate vote, and the public as a whole need to know who is there in the room and online offering testimony motivated by their communities best interest, and who is there because of the money.

Gary Hooser
Published in The Garden Island Newspaper 01/10/24

Note: Each County has it’s own County disclosure requirements AND the State has a separate law as well. The “oral disclosure” element contained in the Kauaʻi lobbyist law applies only to lobbyists testifying before the Kauaʻi County Council, or a Kauaʻi Board or Commission – and may or may not be included in the other County lobbyist laws.

There’s nothing we can really do about it, the underlying issues are far too complicated, and we have far too many important problems of our own to deal with – said every enabler of every war and atrocity that has occurred through-out history.

The truth is there’s plenty we can do about it. We can and must deal with it AND deal with our own local challenges and issues. Complicated? Perhaps, but it’s not too complicated to understand that killing innocent men, women, and children is so very wrong.

The other truth is that by looking the other way, acting like we don’t see, and ignoring our active role in providing the bullets, bombs, and bayonets – does not absolve us from our personal responsibility.

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

For perspective, in 2023 China spent approximately $224 billion and Russia was at $100 billion. (Reuters)

Maybe, just maybe we should just match them both, reduce our defense/war budget to $400 billion, and then spend $477 billion on education, healthcare, and affordable housing?

The federal defense/war budget represents 8.9% of the Hawaiʻi annual GDP with $7.9 billion flowing into the islands annually. https://defenseeconomy.hawaii.gov

Imagine if that budget was cut in half and $4 billion in federal dollars went instead on affordable housing, homeless shelters, and mental health services.

Imagine Hawaiʻi military commissaries and cafeterias being required to purchase at least 50% of their food inventory from local farmers, and federal funding was provided to build the affordable housing needed by service members, military contractors, and local residents working on-base.

Stay with me for a second on the imagination stuff.

Imagine if the Navy hadn’t poisoned the drinking water at Red Hill.

Imagine if the U.S. Army paid the State of Hawaiʻi more than the ridiculous $1 per year to lease 23,000 acres of State-owned land at Pōhakuloa.

Better yet, imagine if the Army was denied use of Pōhakuloa and required to clean up the unexploded ordinance, depleted uranium, and various implements of war they’ve discarded over the years. That task alone would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, plus the restored land would then be available for agricultural, watershed or public park use.

It’s well past time our collective community stops looking the other way.

We need to work pro-actively to reduce the military’s footprint in Hawaiʻi and around the world. This is how we think global and act local. This is something tangible and specific we can do to make a difference – today.

I am not a pacifist. I believe there are bad guys in the world and we need to maintain a strong military to protect ourselves from aggression. If someone takes a swing at me you can be sure I’ll take a swing back. But I will not strike his wife, mother, or children – even if he insists on standing behind them. The ends do not justify the means.

My father was a career Navy man. I’m deeply grateful and honored to have friends and family who are veterans, and who serve now in the U.S. military.

But it’s way past time to say enough is enough.

We must in fact say it over and over again. Enough is enough.

We must shout it out to the stars, and of course to the halls of Congress, the White House and to our own Governor, State legislature, Mayors and County Councils.

We need to stop the madness, re-imagine our future, and take the steps needed to get there.

Gary Hooser
Published in The Garden Island newspaper
01/03/24

Bring it on.
That’s how I’m feeling today.

As the door to 2024 begins to open, I see sparkles of opportunity beckoning in the distance.

The challenges facing our community while formidable, are not insurmountable.

We should set our goals high and then work hard and smart, to achieve them.

Today, December 29th, my goal is to raise via online contributions at least $5,000 for the Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative (PHI). If you want to help and have the capacity to give anything at all $5, $50, $500 or $5,000 – please do so today if you can – so we might meet our goals and begin the new year strong.

Fundraising is important, but speaking out publicly is more so.

As frustrating as it may be, we must speak out and engage issues impacting the entire planet, but our actions on a local level must remain front and center.

Thinking globally and acting locally will keep us sane, make a tangible here-and-now difference in the lives of our children and grandchildren – and set the example for other communities to follow.

How cool would that be? Think about it. Our little group of islands here in the middle of the Pacific, steps up and makes the choices necessary to create and preserve affordable housing for local residents, sets limits on tourism, aggressively supports food sustainability, and takes local action on issues of global importance.

Our local community and our County and State government could set the bar for others to follow. But coulda, woulda, shoulda, is only pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking unless each of us as individuals take responsibility for making it happen.

Our government leaders are not bad people. They want to “do the right thing” but often are not sure what that is, are essentially “risk adverse”, and in general do not want to make waves or risk rocking the apple cart.

We need to demand more from our elected leaders and from each other. Change will happen when every-day citizens embrace their civic responsibility, actively engage the process, and support those government leaders who do step up to lead.

The cynics will say there’s no money. But it’s really about political will.

There’s money enough to meet the basic budget needs AND to address key issues that have been languishing for years. And there’s no shortage of good ideas to increase tax revenue without impacting the average local resident.

“I’m leaving Hawaii because taxes are too high,” said no hotel or luxury second-homeowner ever. Yet far too many friends and family members are saying, “I’m leaving because there are no homes available for sale or rent that I can afford.”

I learned while serving for 16 years in both the Hawaiʻi State Senate and the Kauaʻi County Council, “When they tell you there’s no money, what they’re really saying is it’s not a priority.”

It’s not about the money, it’s about political will and priorities.

2024 is an election year and political will has a way of suddenly appearing when there’s sufficient public pressure AND when new candidates challenge do-nothing incumbents who are simply holding space.

Change happens when a critical mass of individual citizens raise the profile of key policy initiatives and then ensure that public support remains strong, coherent, and sustained – (loud, clear, and never-ending).

Elected officials love their jobs and want to keep them. This means voters must remain happy. When voters start beating the drum, making the calls, and sending in those emails – most who hold public office will listen and do their best to satisfy those voters.

Joining a group that aligns with your “subject matter interest” is key. The following are non-partisan organizations with strong mission statements and solid track records.

The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is of course my top choice 😉 The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi is the “go to” org for issues pertaining to environmental protection For economic justice it’s Hawaiʻi Appleseed – There are numerous other’s and most have a “legislative affairs” component. Sign up to Hawaiʻi Policy & Politics https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com and I’ll do my best to keep you posted as well! NOTE: Many but not all of my email blasts are “cross posted” here on the blog – if you want it all please sign up on the MailChimp link above!

Let’s make 2024 the year of good trouble and good public policy!

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser

As we close out the year and head into 2024, I wanted to reach out one last time to touch base, wish you well for the coming holidays, share with you my top priorities of the coming year, and yes – ask for your help as well.

So…here it is:

Support and protect family, friends, and community.

Keep “self-care” front and center. Personal Reflections: Crossing bridges and walking about

Keep walking the walk – both literally and figuratively.

Make the Hawai’i public policy environment more like Minnesota (IYKYK).

Help elect across the archipelago 15 strong, authentic, and values driven, new voices into public office at the State and County level.

Create and support a successful County focused “ballot initiative” drive to implement systemic change. For details and examples read this blog post – Are you ready for some direct democracy?

We can do this. We can protect, support, and help each other. We can elect enough new voices to change the direction of our government, and we can exercise some “direct democracy” at the County level.

And we can exercise the “self-care” needed to grow in strength and enjoy the life we deserve.

I am willing to do my part but I need your help in several areas.

1) Can you help identify potential candidates (all islands) who have roots in the community, share our common values, and who are able to relate to the average voter? Yes, I’m making a list and will be gathering with like-minded friends and colleagues…and checking it way more than twice.

2) Let me know if you are willing to help in a campaign (canvas neighborhoods, hold signs, telephone banking etc), assuming of course the candidate matches your values.

3) Please also send me any ideas you have for a County specific ballot initiative. Read this blog piece first for examples!

4) Make an online contribution to Pono Hawai’i Initiative (PHI) before the end of the year. PHI is a 501c4 nonprofit, but because it’s allowed to “do politics”, support candidates, and actively oppose or support legislative policy changes – contributions are not tax deductible.

I am the Executive Director for PHI and receive a modest stipend (approximately $1,400 per month in 2023) to help cover and recover costs associated with what is essentially full-time advocacy. PHI also has other administrative, legal, and research associated costs.

To move forward and make our 2024 goals a reality means we have to step up our game and our investment in support of candidates and public policy change – which means we need your help today, to launch us properly into the coming year.

Can you help today with an online contribution? Whether it’s $20, $200, $2,000, or $20,000 – you can be assured the funds will be put to good use helping to make our community and world a better place – for all of us.

As always, never hesitate to reach out and contact me directly should you have questions, concerns, suggestions, or especially if you want to help!

Sincerely,

Gary Hooser

Let’s talk law-making for a moment.

If you could pass any new law at the county level, what would that be?

Seriously: All four Hawai‘i counties have, embedded in their County Charter a citizen’s right to initiative and referendum

This means citizens can gather signatures and propose new laws or charter amendments. These proposals would then be placed on the ballot and voted on by residents of the county.

If a majority vote yes, then voila! The new law is passed (whether the mayor or the council like it or not).

The requirements (required number of signatures from registered voters, etc) for citizen legislators can be found within the county charter itself, a copy of which can be found on the county’s official website. The Civil Beat featured an excellent over-view of the process “Use The County Initiative Process To Create Change In Hawaii”.

There are limits as to the scope and nature of proposed ordinances or charter amendments. State and federally regulated areas of law are of course off limits.

In general proposed county initiatives may not impact the county’s budget, taxes, salaries, or collective bargaining contracts. In addition the courts have basically ruled existing private property rights may not be taken away. New up-zoning conditions may be proposed and passed, but properties may not be downzoned and existing rights to build utilizing existing zoning may not be taken away.

My hope is to get the “hive mind” fully engaged in this discussion and develop some truly innovative, systemic, change-maker ideas. Please let me know your thoughts (short and succinct please) and I’ll share them here in a future column.

To get the creative juices flowing below are five ideas for discussion. Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, please remember these are only rough ideas intended to generate more ideas and ultimately a thorough legal vetting of a proposal (or proposals).

1) No new resort or new commercial zoning shall be granted unless such proposals also include the construction of a sufficient amount of permanently affordable housing (insert definition) necessary for the amount of employees the resort or commercial enterprise will need to operate.

2) The processing of all county permits necessary for the construction of affordable housing (insert definition) shall take precedence over all others except those needed to protect the public’s health and safety.

3) Any herbicide, fungicide, algicide or pesticide, that has been determined in a court of law to cause or significantly contribute to causing cancer or any life threatening illness may not be used on any county owned property. (Maui and Hawaii County already have bans on glyphosate and other herbicides in place)

4) No county council nor any board or commission member may vote on any matter upon which they have not read and reviewed the public testimony. (IYKYK)

5) No new county permits of any kind may be granted to any entity which utilizes explosive materials, or manufactures, sells, or tests items designed or intended to kill or harm human beings, or trains human beings to kill other human beings. (#stoppohakuloa #reducethefootprint)

To be successful a proposal must first resonate with enough people to gather the sufficient signatures. This means it must propose important changes that represent systemic change and are easy for the voters to understand. AND some creativity is required for “work arounds” that may be needed to deal with the limitations – county law only, no spending money, and no private property rights take-aways.

The potential to create systemic change using this tool is huge, but the work needed to make it happen is also significant. If you’re serious – READ THE COUNTY CHARTER for details on what it takes to place an initiative on the ballot.

The plans is pretty basic: We collectively come up with the language for up to 5 compelling initiatives that will withstand basic legal scrutiny, float them within each County to see if there’s interest among voters, and then assemble citizen teams to gather the signatures and make it happen.

Let’s do it.

Gary Hooser