GaryHooser's Blog

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses.

Or in the case of the recent May Day celebration at Kōloa Elementary School, it was the plumeria, the stephanotis, the pikake, the ti, and so many others.

Surrounded by the sweet scent of countless memories blending with the music and the sounds of children laughing, babies crying and friends shaking hands … you get the picture.

It was a chicken-skin moment that rolled into a chicken-skin morning and a powerful- yet-gentle and beautiful reminder of how lucky we are.

I was there supporting my mo‘opuna who stood proud and tall with fellow classmates singing “Hawai‘i Pono‘i,” followed by a rousing chant of “I Ku Mau Mau.”

Standing there in the crowd, surrounded by family and friends, watching those beautiful children, supported by their dedicated teachers, parents, aunties and uncles, bedecked in lei and hugs and smiles, was heartwarming.

Everywhere I looked, I was reminded how lucky I am to live in such a very special place.

The pride, respect and love of Kōloa Elementary School and the Koloa community swelled to the point of bursting when the May Day Court, led by the Mo‘i Kane (Royal King) and the Mo‘i Wahine (Royal Queen) danced to “He Mana‘o He Aloha.”

The radiance, the grace, the smiles, the pure joy of that moment, is a testament to the ‘ohana which is Kōloa Elementary School.

The program continued with one inspiring mele after another. Grade by grade the students would file out onto the grass, the parents would swarm furiously taking photo after photo, and then retreat back to make room for their keiki to perform.

While every performance was memorable, for me, the Kōloa Keiki ‘Ukulele Band struck just the right chord when they sang a full throated rendition of: “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow, They’ll learn much more, Than I’ll ever know, And I think to myself, What a wonderful world.”

“What a Wonderful World,” written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967 and most recently made famous by the beloved and late Israel “Braddah Iz” Kamakawiwo‘ole, was made famous again that morning for me and for many others in attendance by the Kōloa Keiki ‘Ukulele Band.

Mahalo plenty to all who played and sang that song so loud and so clear that every one of us in attendance got it.

We got how special you are. We got how lucky we are. And we got how very important and very special our community is.

We also know deep in our heart that beneath all the lei and all the smiles and hugs are the daily challenges faced by every student and every family.

While we know our world is indeed wonderful and we are extremely fortunate to live in a place dominated by rainbows, beaches, mountains and streams, we are reminded of our responsibility to lend a hand to our friends and neighbors in need.

Witnessing the Kōloa community come together that day was a clear reminder of the importance of community and our collective responsibility to do what we can to help each other and keep our community strong.

For me that morning at Kōloa Elementary School, standing side by side with family, friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, uncles, aunties, parents, grandparents, looking around the school grounds, watching those beautiful faces performing with pride in front of us, smelling the flowers, listening to the music, was a much-needed, reaffirming reminder of the fundamental love and aloha that is our island home.

Mahalo to all who helped make it happen.

The statements made by the Kauaʻi Council Chair on May 10th and supported by a clear majority of Council members, combined with the public statements made by the State BLNR Chair making it clear the department is taking seriously it’s enforcement responsibility – represent a huge and positive shift in the conversation surrounding Wailuanuiahōʻano and the proposed Coco Palms Hotel development.

We should give Council Chair Mel Rapozo and BLNR Chair Dawn Chang a huge mahalo, take a moment to give high 5’s all around to every Councilmember, and then get back to work and not stop pressing forward until the community wins.

I Ola Wailuanui (IOW), is a nonprofit community based organization led by indigenous lineal descendants of the original occupants of these lands strongly opposed to the commercial or hotel/resort development on this site. IOW’s vision is one of stewardship and inclusivity. Please help them today with an online contribution if you can. No contribution is too small.

The Wailuanuiahōʻano district of Kauaʻi, including the lands of the former Coco Palms Resort is a unique and sacred area. It is the birthplace of Hawaiian royalty and was once the social, political and religious center of Kauaʻi.

On May 10th, the Kauaʻi County Council during a marathon meeting, heard from the Chair of the State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), the Kauaʻi County Planning Director, and numerous members of the public.

Read media reports of the meeting here:

The message was loud and clear.

The past 30 years have seen one developer after another attempt and fail to rebuild a resort on this site. The current Utah based LLC is currently under investigation by the State DLNR for noncompliance with numerous lease/permit conditions. Likewise the County Planning Department is investigating other allegations of permit violations.

Chair Rapozo declared during this meeting his intent to seek “condemnation by eminent domain” saying the property should be purchased by the County possibly with help from the State and others.

On Wednesday, May 31st there was also a Council Resolution passed supporting public access to the adjacent State owned parcels rather than only for the benefit of the Coco Palms hotel developers.

Mahalo to Council Members Felicia Cowden and KipuKai Kuali`i for introducing and championing this successfully through the process!

IOW also has legal action now pending before the court to require the developer’s compliance with State laws governing environmental review. IOW is also asking the County of Kauaʻi to implement a cease and desist action against the developer until they comply with existing County and State laws.

While many in the community have already stepped up to help, IOW remains $8,000 short of their June 7th goal. The upcoming court hearing and a pending but as yet unscheduled BLNR meeting are both expected to be held in June on Oahu – your online contribution will help cover basic legal and related costs.

The vast majority of IOW work is done by volunteers, but there are unavoidable basic ongoing administrative and legal expenses. June represents a potentially significant turning point and donations prior to June 7 are especially important.

While I believe a majority in our community enthusiastically welcome and applaud the County’s commitment, the ultimate success of this effort cannot be assumed nor taken for granted. Thus, we all need to step up and the help now more than ever.

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses.

Or in the case of the recent May Day celebration at Kōloa Elementary School, it was the Plumeria, the Stephanotis, the Pikake, the Ti, and so many others.

Surrounded by the sweet scent of countless memories blending with the music and the sounds of children laughing, baby’s crying and friends shaking hands…you get the picture.

It was a chicken skin moment that rolled into a chicken skin morning and a powerful, yet gentle and beautiful reminder of how lucky we are.

I was there supporting my moʻopuna who stood proud and tall with fellow classmates singing Hawai’i Pono’i, followed by a rousing chant of “I Kū Mau Mau”.

Standing there in the crowd, surrounded by family and friends, watching those beautify children, supported by their dedicated teachers, parents, aunties and uncles – bedecked in lei and hugs and smiles.

Everywhere I looked, I was reminded how lucky I am to live in such a very special place.

The pride, respect and love of Kōloa Elementary School and the Kōloa Community swelled to the point of bursting when the May Day Court, led by the Mo’i Kane (Royal King) and the Mo’i Wahine (Royal Queen) danced to He Mana‘o He Aloha.

The radiance, the grace, the smiles, the pure joy of that moment, is a testament to the ‘ohana which is Kōloa Elementary School.

The program continued with one inspiring mele after another. Grade by grade the students would file out onto the grass, the parents would swarm furiously taking photo after photo, and then retreat back to make room for their keiki to perform.

While every performance was memorable, for me, the Kōloa Keiki ‘Ukulele Band struck just the right chord when they sang a full throated rendition of: “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow, They’ll learn much more, Than I’ll ever know, And I think to myself, What a wonderful world…”

“What a Wonderful World” written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967 and most recently made famous by the beloved Brother Israel Kamakawiwo’ole- was made famous again that morning for me and for many others in attendance by the Kōloa Keiki ‘Ukulele Band.

Mahalo plenty to all who played and sang that song so loud and so clear that every one of us in attendance – got it.

We got how special you are. We got how lucky we are. And we got how very important and very special our community is.

We also know deep in our heart that beneath all the lei and all the smiles and hugs, are the daily challenges faced by every student and every family. While we know our world is indeed wonderful and we are extremely fortunate to live in a place dominated by rainbows, beaches, mountains and streams – we are reminded of our responsibility to lend a hand to our friends and neighbors in need.

Witnessing the Kōloa community come together that day, was a clear reminder of the importance of community and our collective responsibility to do what we can to help each other – and keep our community strong.

For me that morning at Kōloa Elementary School, standing side by side with family, friends, neighbors, coaches, teachers, uncles, aunties, parents, grandparents – looking around the school grounds, watching those beautiful faces performing with pride in front of us, smelling the flowers, listening to the music – was a much needed reaffirming reminder of the fundamental love and aloha that is our island home.

Mahalo to all who helped make it happen.

Gary Hooser

Please 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.mailchimpsites.com

I remember sitting at the dinner table shortly after the elections in 2000 and remarking to my family “Aren’t you glad the campaign is over?”

My daughter Kelli-Rose, who was 12 years old at the time, didn’t miss a beat replying immediately “Are you kidding Dad? It’s never over.”

Of course, she was right.

And here we are today. The 2022 general election is only 5 months behind us and the August 2024 primary coming at us like a freight train — only 14 months from now.

New candidates need to start getting their ducks in a row, now.

Incumbents, whether council members or state legislators, have the benefit of continuous public exposure. New candidates must work hard to build that critically important name recognition, connect with community and meet the voters, which takes time.

There is a clear need to add new, more independent voices to the mix at the state Legislature, in both the House and Senate. To put a point on it: We need voices that are willing to rock the boat and not just “go along to get along.”

The ongoing lack of transparency, the unchecked and abusive concentration of power, and ongoing federal investigations make the call for new leadership palpable.

I get calls, texts and emails almost daily from residents across the archipelago asking the same questions over and over again, “Who is going to run? Who can we support and help? This 2023 session was a disaster. Who is going to throw their name in the hat to help change the dynamics at the capitol? Who can win against the incumbents in positions of power and responsible for this mess?”

We all are aware of the challenges facing our community. The nonexistence of affordable housing, the overdevelopment of a tourism-based economy, the horrible traffic jams, the deteriorating quality of both nearshore ocean waters and our drinking water, public corruption, high costs of imported food, low pay for our teachers, etc,, etc,, etc.

The list is long and the needs are great. The resources needed to deal with the issues are available, as are the strategies and solutions to better manage each of these challenges.

Yet, political leaders now at the helm prefer spending $500 million on a football stadium, another $500 to $700 million on a “cop city” campus the cops don’t even want, all while pouring another $33 million into the capitol reflecting pool.

What’s lacking is a critical mass of political will. While an increasing number of legislators are acknowledging the status quo at the Capitol is unacceptable, we need more who are willing to take the bold action needed to change it.

2024 is the year to make it happen.

But new candidates who possess the energy, the ideas and the backbone, and who are unafraid of bucking the status quo, must step up.

I know you are out there.

I also know you are probably unsure if running and serving in public office is the right choice for you.

You don’t know if you can win, you don’t really know how to run a political campaign, and you have no real clue what serving in public office actually entails.

Been there, done that.

As long as you have roots in the community, some track record of achievement in education, community, business or government, believe that we are all in this together and are willing to stand up and be counted when it matters most (which is now), I don’t care where you live or what office you are considering running for, we need you.

If it’s helpful, I’m willing to share my manaʻo with you or anyone thinking about running for election whose primary values are based on putting people and the planet ahead of money and profits.

But first tell me, what keeps you up and night. Why do you want to be elected to the County Council or serve in the State House or Senate?

Gary Hooser

You already know “How on May 17th, 1980 I was smitten.”

So what happened next?

We were married on May 17, 1980 in Durban South Africa at the Old Fort Chapel. We then backpacked around Southern Europe for a few months (perhaps that story will be told at some future date), and then returned to Hawaiʻi. Claudette is fond to tell folks that she changed her name, left her job, her home, and her country – for an unknown future with a guy she’d known less than a year who peddled a 3-wheeled bicycle for a living.

At some point, I figured out that when I got back to Hawaiʻi with my new bride, I would need some kind of a job other than that of a pedicab driver. Claudette made it fairly clear to me pretty quickly that she had high expectations that certainly did not include me peddling the streets of Waikiki – and all that entailed (still yet another story for the future perhaps published after my passing and when my grandchildren are adult enough to understand).

Then I remembered Linda Fernandez of the famous E.K. Fernandez Shows (Since 1903) who had told me once, “Gary if you’re ever looking for a job, give me a call.”

I’d worked for Linda on and off since my Radford high school days, first for the Hawaiʻi State Farm Fair held on Magic Island I believe, then semi-regularly at weekend carnivals around the State. Linda ran the concession side of the operation, game and food booths etc. I started out probably in the summer of 1971 hawking “3 rings for a dollar” and encouraging people to throw a ring around a 16 oz Pepsi bottle. I soon graduated to the throwing of whiffle balls into the mouths of clowns booth, and then to actually putting up and taking down the concession booths themselves, weekend after weekend.

Think about the image for a moment: I’m heading back to Hawaiʻi with a new wife, a backpack, less than $1,000 in my pocket, and no job – So yes, I called Linda.

It was probably the best call I’ve made in my entire life as it ultimately brought me to the island that’s been home for the past 45 years. Linda was happy to hear from me and immediately asked if I was I interested in opening up and managing a new E.K. Fernandez Fun Factory on Kauaʻi.

Two months later Claudette and I were new renters of a 1-bedroom unit in “H Building” at the Pono Kai Condominiums in Kapaʻa. Located about one mile from the Waipouli Town Center where the Fun Factory was located, I was able to walk to work until later we were able to afford buying a car. We convinced our new landlord to accept the first months rent with a promise to pay our deposit two weeks later, when I received my first paycheck.

So…there we were, ensconced in our rented condo, with me walking back and forth to work at the Fun Factory and learning the ins and outs of the “video arcade” business. I’m sure that Claudette while enjoying the adventure of it all, was probably a bit bewildered, wondering what she had gotten herself into, and thinking “Where were those streets of gold in America that everyone in South Africa had been referring to?”

Our first Thanksgiving together consisted of oatmeal cooked on a outdoor grill because our electricity had yet to be turned on and we were pretty much flat broke. Two weeks of so later, after we paid the landlord our deposit and stocked up on real food (the oatmeal diet was getting a bit old by then), we bought our first car.

It was a big old Buick. I’ll never forget it. A real rust bucket. The brakes didn’t work so well and when pulling into a parking spot, I had to pump them hard and be prepared to throw the car into “park” to make sure it stopped before bumping over the curb. The electric windows didn’t always roll up either and one morning as I prepared to drive the short distance to work, I found a rather confused and somewhat disheveled guy sleeping on the front seat.

The Buick wasn’t much, but hey it was better than walking back and forth in the rain.

And so began this next chapter of our now 45 year journey.

Photo of Me and My Pedicab at the Open Air Pedicab Company – Pre-Claudette

Photo of our wedding day –

Effective March 22, 2023, Kaua‘i County became the only county in Hawai‘i whose citizens are not allowed to testify via Zoom or other remote technology.

The reason given: “If we cannot get back online (after a power outage) within 30 minutes, we need to redo the meeting. Not just pick up where we left off, but repost the meeting …Everything that happened up to this point would be null and void.” TGI 03-17-23.

According to the Office of Information Practices (OIP), this already minuscule risk can be eliminated by simply rewording the public notice posted with the agenda.

The county is aware of this fact, yet remote testimony remains banned at county council, planning commission and other official “public” meetings.

While I understand the desire for expediency, and shorter meetings — reducing the public’s ability to testify is not the way to get there.

The OIP administers “meeting requirements” for all public agencies.

To determine what advice the OIP actually provided to councilmembers, I submitted a Uniform Information Protection Act (UIPA) request. https://oip.hawaii.gov/forms/

My request was specific:
“A copy of any email communications between the Office of Information Practices and any member or members of the Kaua’i County Council that occurred after 03/01/23 and the date upon which this request is acted upon (04/14/23) that discusses or references the use of remote interactive conference technology (ICT) testimony or “Zoom like” testimony. And any communications…between Council staff and OIP.”

I expected to see a flurry of emails between various council members and the OIP, but there was nothing. Council members may have reviewed the OIP website or spoken to someone by telephone, but there were no written inquires preceding or immediately following the decision to cancel remote testimony.

After further dialogue, I discovered that County Attorney Matthew Bracken emailed the OIP on March 23 — the day after the council’s no-zoom policy began.

Mr. Bracken’s question: “Can a board hold an in-person meeting but allow the public to testify via zoom and still be considered an in person meeting not subject to the requirements of HRS 92-3.5?”

OIP responded in part:
“1 – …while OIP has not issued a formal opinion on the matter, OIP generally advises that a board can hold an in-person meeting where the public attends and testifies in person, and it can additionally allow the public to testify via zoom as a courtesy or additional option without having to meet the other requirements in HRS 92-3.5.”

“If a board chooses to offer a remote link…as a courtesy, it may place restrictions on testifying, such as requiring preregistration. Also, should the board lose its courtesy ICT connection during an in person meeting or a multi-site meeting, the board may continue the meeting.”

The county attorney replied on March 24th, “…I think we may proceed with option 1… Our notice will state that it is an in-person meeting that allows remote testimony as a courtesy but if the remote technology fails for any reason the meeting will proceed in person without any delays. Our notice will not contain a zoom/teams link but it will be provided to anyone that requests to testify via remote technology 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Our meeting rooms don’t all have the technology set up so the last requirement would give us time to set up the necessary equipment prior to the meeting.”

Kaua‘i County should lead in expanding public participation in government, not lead in restricting it. My hope is that the county will soon reverse its decision and allow citizens to once again testify remotely — like every other county does.

Please share your feelings with councilmembers (councilmembers@kauai.gov) and mayor (mayor@kauai.gov) as well — politely and professionally please.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs called the 2023 legislative session “one of the most dysfunctional legislative sessions in recent history.”

I agree 100 percent.

Yes, there were some wins, but the 2023 legislative session was, overall, a bust. Big time.

This was the year to be generous in our funding of public education, not to sell short our children’s future.

We have a historic budget surplus. Yet, our leaders at the Legislature voted to cut funding for public education by $167 million, from the governor’s proposed budget.

Thank goodness eight members of the state House were willing to stand up, speak truth to power, and vote “no” on the final budget.

Mahalo to Rep. Jeanne Kapela for voting “no” and pulling back the curtain on the shibai of reducing public education funding.

Another “no” vote on the budget we should thank is House Higher Education Committee Chairwoman Rep. Amy Perruso, who pointed out the bill before them would result in a “massive budget shortfall” for the University of Hawai’i.

Former House Majority Leader, and now Health and Homelessness Committee Chairwoman Della Au Belatti also voted “no,” stating “the budget fails both on substance and process.”

As is evident by the conference committee chaos, “process” is not something taken seriously by the “money chairs:” Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita, nor by “leadership” Speaker of the House Scott Saiki and Senate President Ron Kouchi.

Representative Hussey-Burdick said the process was so chaotic that “even the conferees didn’t get to see the final draft of the budget before they voted on it”.

Process and rules are trampled on regularly by the big dogs. Rules are changed, suspended, waived, and simply ignored in the mad, self-imposed rush to insert last-minute stuff into the budget and various bills.

All of which happens behind closed doors at the expense of the rest of us.

Two legislators are serving time in prison for bribery. This was the year to emphasize legislative character and to make those important reforms.

The most significant reforms were killed even when a majority of the public and legislators alike professed to support them.

One would think that if a supermajority of legislators voted in support of a bill, such as voter-owned elections, seven different times and never once was it voted down — that it would pass into law.

And, yes, one would, of course, think that, in a democracy, every decision by a legislative committee would be made via a public vote held after public review and input.

One would think.

But, of course, you know that in our legislative system, it’s the big dogs who make the big decisions. And from their perspective, committees, committee members and public input are just for show.

Every government body suffers this affliction to a certain degree, but our Legislature has reached a new low.

Helped along perhaps by an ongoing federal investigation into legislative corruption, the pendulum thankfully may be starting to swing the other way.

As Rep. Elle Cochran said prior to casting her no vote, “something’s got to change. We can’t keep doing things the same way expecting different results.”

The eight members of the State House (six Democrats and two Republicans) who voted “no” should be applauded. Big time.

Six House members also voted “with reservations,” essentially voting yes but holding their nose to hide the stench.

Fourteen House members standing up and pushing back is a big number.

Not big enough, but a big number.

How did your Representative vote?

How do we get that number to go up?

I’m thinking the answer is Plan B.

gh

Closing note: Some may say I am being unfair and that calling out the Money Chairs and House/Senate Leadership by name and saying they are specifically responsible for the debacle that occurred is a personal attack. The truth is that any one of them could have stood up and said “No” and refused to go along with the trampling of the process. Nothing that happens at the legislature will happen without the agreement of these 4 men. If any one of them refuses to go along, the process will stop until agreement is reached. There are real human consequences to their actions and decisions. My remarks are not to imply in any way that they are bad people, but only that they are making bad decisions.

I’m less concerned about being perceived as unfair to those who are in power than in giving voice to those who elected them — and those who didn’t. Voters and non-voters alike deserve fair representation. It’s the least we can expect of our democracy.

From the words of Frederick Douglass (1857)
“Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.

This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

Listen to the actual floor remarks, and see the list of No and W/R votes here: https://bit.ly/41iIbii Read Civil Beat – The Hawaii Legislature Is Broken Read also Russell Ruderman: This Year’s Legislature Was Much Worse Than Business As Usual

Two legislators were busted last year for taking bribes in return for helping a prolific campaign donor with legislation benefiting his company. Immediately, with much fanfare, House Speaker Scott Saiki created a “Commission To Improve Standards of Conduct” and vowed to take action.

The Commission did excellent work, held numerous meetings, and submitted 31 recommendations to the 2023 legislature for action. Other’s also introduced “reform agenda” measures with similar themes.

The consolidation of power, and the ability of individual legislators to kill a Bill without a vote, without notice, and without an explanation – invites corruption, both legal and illegal. The insatiable need to raise campaign money to be elected and to remain elected, is an inherently and unhealthy reality for all involved.

The 2023 legislature failed completely to address these key issues. While some modest reform proposals were approved, the much ballyhooed effort fell far short of the bold reforms needed.

The two most significant reforms that would have provided true systemic change both failed.

HB796 – Proposing term limits for all state legislators was killed by Representative David Tarnas Chair of the House Judiciary Committee without even allowing a committee vote. Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads also killed a similar measure without giving it a hearing or allowing the public to provide input.

Many refer to voter owned, publicly funded, clean elections, as the “reform that makes all other reforms possible”. This is probably exactly why SB1543 was killed.

It certainly wasn’t for a lack of public support. The telephone calls and emails coming in to legislators supporting SB1543 represented a relentless stream of community support from all islands and all demographics. Opposition to the measure was negligible to nonexistent.

In addition to strong public support, 73 of the 76 legislators voted in support of SB1543. Committee and floor votes were held on 7 different occasions and each time 100% of the Democrats voted in support, and only 3 Republicans were opposed. Not one single Democrat even voted with “Reservations” – all were solid votes up, in support.

Yet, SB1543 died in Conference Committee – without a vote and without much of an explanation. In their final remarks, the two Judiciary Chairs on the Conference Committee made thinly veiled references to the lack of support by the money chairs Representative Kyle Yamashita (Finance) and Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (Ways and Means).

Who to blame? The most direct figures who should take the hit are obviously the money chairs. Right along side them though are their powerful enablers, Speaker of the House Scott Saiki and Senate President Ron Kouchi. House/Senate “leadership” in theory represents a majority of members in both chambers. They have the power to go to the “money chairs” and ask them to “find the money and make it happen”. Clearly “leadership” was not interested in passing SB1543 either.

The advocacy group “Our Hawaii” said it best in a tweet on the final day of Conference:

“Funds allocated to clean up the reflecting pool at the Capitol reflecting pools? $33.5 million. Funds allocated to clean up our politics? $0
It’s never been about the cost, it’s about whether getting #bigmoneyout of our politics is a priority.”

Clearly for these 4 gentlemen and those legislators in both the House and the Senate who carry their water – getting money out of politics is not a priority.

What’s next? For those who believe in our system of government, yet are dismayed at the toxic culture of entitlement held by too many legislators, what tools and strategies are left?

The answer is obviously electoral and not policy based. Bill’s can be massaged and amended ad infinitum but no amount of tweaking will change the reality that 4 guys call all the shots – only the elections of 2024 can change that.

The good news is a relatively small number of new, strong, value based voices could make a huge difference. A focused, and sustained effort, across all islands is what’s needed.

The August 2024 primary election is only 15 months away. We can do this.

Before I get to the nitty gritty update details of the hot mess that is the proposed Coco Palms Hotel development – may I ask you to please sign this petition and possibly chip in online to help pay the modest administrative and legal expenses of I Ola Wailuanui?

You really can’t make this stuff up. Read on if you can stomach it. And then join us at I Ola Wailuanui to help if the spirit moves you.

The on-again, off-again, development of the Coco Palms Hotel by an endless stream of Utah LLC’s is a charade – an absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance. (Oxford Language)

The Utah owners promised the Kaua’i Planning Commission in August of 2022 they’d hold community meetings. Not a single meeting has been held.

There’s been no HRS343 environmental impact review as required by state law.

They agreed to dispose of their green waste at a facility in Moloaa. Instead, they’ve dumped it illegally on conservation lands.

It’s well documented there are countless Iwi Kūpuna who’ve been laid to rest here. The construction and demolition permits require a qualified archaeological observer whenever digging takes place. I’ve personally witnessed this requirement being violated (pictures and video available).

They promised to build affordable hotel-worker housing specifically upon properties they don’t own and now are “re-negotiating” this requirement with the County.

They’ve cut down well over 100 coconut trees from state-owned and private lands and dumped them in sensitive conservation areas without approvals or permits.

The BLNR has issued a cease and desist notice to the developers for illegal dumping, clearing, and grubbing on conservation lands.

The previous LLC upon which the current LLC foreclosed is appealing the foreclosure, effectively “clouding the title”. This will inhibit future investment capital until resolved – which could take years.

Still yet another LLC at least 3 LLCs back in the long line of LLCs, is listed on State leases and permits required to access and utilize these lands. That particular LLC no longer legally exists and was involuntarily dissolved by the State many years ago.

Consequently, the present LLC owner/developer doesn’t possess a lease, or a permit, from the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to use the surrounding state-owned lands which include the coconut grove. Yet, they are using these lands anyway, putting up fences, cutting down trees, grubbing, and grading – without regard to the law.

County property taxes on some parcels have not been paid in years.

The whole thing is a very bad joke – a caricature of a charade.

These guys from Utah, one of whom has been convicted of felony fraud, show up via Zoom, wring their hands, promise they will do better, wipe the sweat from their brow, and continue the charade.

Yes, they have expensive lawyers and will sue or threaten to sue the state and county should either or both have the audacity to hold them accountable.

Thankfully, the BLNR appears to be doing just that. Google the April 14 BLNR meeting and watch the hearing. It’s item D1. See for yourself the tough questions asked by Board Chair Dawn Chang and Members.

More importantly, watch the developers misstate the facts, feign ignorance, and promise to do better. They were barely aware the property is listed on both the National and the Hawai’i Register of Historic Places – and the regulatory requirements that accompany those listings.

The County Planning Director and Commission have also expressed outrage and asked tough questions.

But yes, our community and this incredibly significant property need more.

We need our government agencies to take an even more proactive role and ensure the landowner/developer follows the law.

The past and present actions of this owner/developer are too egregious to ignore or write off as only a series of innocent unintended oversights.

We need strong and direct enforcement of existing law, and we need a funding angel or angels to step forward in partnership with the community to purchase, restore, and preserve these lands in perpetuity.

Can you help?

Will you join me in signing a petition in support of the I Ola Wailuanui vision of community stewardship for these incredibly important historic and culturally significant lands?

Will you also take that next step and make an online contribution in support of I Ola Wailuanui to assist in helping to pay basic administrative and legal costs? No contribution is too small and all are welcome.

Please also consider making a gift pledge to be exercised only when we secure the total amount needed to purchase and convert this property to a stewardship-focused, community-owned, cultural and community center. Your pledge and a contingent promise of future support could be for $100, $10,000, $100,000, $1,000,000, $10,000,000, $20,000,000, or any amount in between.

For further information on how you can help, call me at 808-652-4279 or email iolawailuanui@gmail.com

Mahalo,
Gary Hooser – Board Member I Ola Wailuanui

Note: Recently, in The Garden Island newspaper Patrick Manning, managing director of Reef Capital Partners from Utah said “the DLNR has received erroneous complaints that we grubbed or graded the land. We will show the DLNR those complaints were not accurate.”

Excuse me? “Grubbing is defined as removing and disposing of all unwanted vegetative matter from underground, such as stumps, roots, buried logs, and other debris.”

Here is a photo taken less than two weeks ago and validates clearly the DLNR cease and desist order.

According to Civil Beat and many other sources too afraid to speak publicly – SB1543 publicly funded elections – will/may be sentenced to a slow and twisted death today April 27th at 3:05PM in Conference Room 325.

It’s time for that final and all-important push. Public pressure is the only tool we have left, and that means all of us must step up and apply it – liberally.

The 7 Senators and 6 Representatives listed below are the primary legislators responsible for whatever decision is made, and ALL should be contacted now, today, as early in the day as possible.

Yes, after passing every committee in both the House and Senate, behind the scenes and in the dark, SB1543 is being eviscerated. It is shameful really.

They get an A+ however for creativity and subterfuge. Their plan it seems is to actually pass SB1543 but not have it take effect until 2028 and then only for a single election, and then to limit via a lottery the number of candidates who can participate. AND to make absolutely sure this cluster muster won’t fly they are only funding 50% of even that miserable attempt at appeasement.

This way they can claim to have passed this incredibly important measure, promise to “fix it” in the future, and keep open the option of thoroughly killing it again at any time between now and 2027 – while making advocates grovel over the next 4 years begging to extend and properly fund it.

Seriously – can’t make this stuff up. Read “Sunshine Blog: So much for game-changing legislation.” Civil Beat

And then – make those calls and send that email for what is likely to be the very last day and the very last opportunity to change the hearts and minds of key decision-makers.

Please don’t let your own district legislators off the hook on this either. They may not be the key decision-makers, but their voice can make the difference – IF they choose to use it. Find your legislator’s contact info here:

The message is basic: “Pass SB1543. Properly fund it, make it permanent, and have it begin no later than 2026.” Short messages are fine – professional and courteous, please.

**If you live in their district – your call/email is 100 times more important so please let them know that important fact.

The below legislators are all either a member of the Conference Committee or “leadership” and ultimately control what happens to SB1543. Please don’t accept a “There’s nothing I can do” response from any of them.

Senate President Ron Kouchi – 808-586-6030 senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
WAM Chair Donovan Dela Cruz – 808-586-6090 sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov
Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads – 808-586-6130 senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Sharon Moriwaki – 808-586-6740 senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Brandon Elefante – 808-586-6230 senelefante@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Mike Gabbard – 808-586-6830 sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Brenton Awa – 808-586-7330 senawa@capitol.hawaii.gov

House Speaker Scott Saiki – 808-586-6100 repsaiki@capitol.hawaii.gov
Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita – 808-586-6330 repyamashita@capitol.hawaii.gov
Judiciary Chair David Tarnas – 808-586-8510 reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Lisa Marten – 808-586-9450 repmarten@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Gregg Takayama – 808-586-6340 reptakayama@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative Kanani Souza – 808-586-8465 repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

We need to pour it on friends. Please Please Please – make the calls, send the emails, and contact your friends and networks to do the same.

We can do this.

Gary