GaryHooser's Blog

This morning KGMB Hawaii News Now is reporting that big development interests, fueled by millions of dollars of outside money are literally trying to take out and take over the Maui County Council.

The breaking news story is here on Hawaii News Now – Union PAC focuses on Maui races that could flip council to more pro-growth posture

Fortunately, the community is fighting back. Watch this excellent 2-minute video that describes “the competing visions of Maui’s future” and what is really going on.

File this under “can’t make this stuff up”.

Outside big development money is literally attempting a coup in an attempt to take over the Maui County Council.

The audacity of the pro-development forces knows no bounds. It’s disgusting really.

Good luck to the residents of Maui. I don’t live there, but if I did I would be angry, disappointed, and determined not to let this happen – and I would be voting for the Maui ‘Onipa’a 2022 slate!

It’s last call. The polls will be closing soon. Voting is in full swing and the absolute deadline to walk-in your ballot and or vote-in-person is Tuesday, November 8th. All the info on how to register and vote on the same day is at https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/

The Kauai County Council race is probably the most interesting thing on the ballot. The vast majority of the other races are either terribly lopsided or otherwise uninspiring (I’m sure the candidates would argue about this characterization).

Based on the August Primary Election results, if voting patterns don’t change in the General Election, the good-ole-boys are going to win. I say this with a slight bit of sarcasm and an even slighter hint of affection. After all, I’ve served in government and politics for the past 20 years and by definition, some would say that I’m a good-ole-boy myself.

But of course, I’m not running for election to public office. I’ve chosen instead to make space for others at that table and to serve in other ways. I only wish some of those now on the ballot would have done the same. There are lots of ways to serve if service is in fact your objective.

Term limits for Councilmembers were approved by a more than 2-1 vote in 2006. The message was loud and strong – 8 years is enough. Serve for 8 years then step aside and make space for new people to serve on the Council.

Unfortunately, it’s turned into a revolving door with a 2-year break in between elections. Consequently, in 2022 we now have the past attempting to join the present.

That’s not to say that good-ole-boys are not nice guys. They of course are not bad people. They just look at the world through a good-ole-boy lens with an affinity for maintaining the status quo. Most of them are nice enough. There’s only one who I would consider not so nice and I’ll drop that little note right here (knowing how fun it is to speculate).

This is not gendered slang inclusive of men and women. This is literally about the previous male Councilmembers coming back, taking over, and eliminating the possibility of additional women being elected to the Council.

At the end of the August primary election, 6 of the top 7 vote-getters were men and 6 are incumbents or former incumbents, having served in the past on the Council.

If nothing changes on November 8th the good-ole-boys will win again and there will be a dearth of the female perspective, AND a dearth of new energy, new ideas, and new leadership.

There are several qualified women possessing a wealth of experience and potential, “down the line” but for them to win, at least two of the good-ole-boys must lose.

This is the way it works:

In order for a candidate to “move up” they must get more votes on November 8th than those above them. This means as a voter if you’re interested in ensuring that the new energy, new ideas, and the new candidates now at the bottom of the pile “move up” to the top or at least the middle of the pile and actually win – you must refrain from voting for the candidates above them in the line-up.

That’s the bottom line, or at least that’s the only way the bottom line will move to the middle of the line and actually have a chance to be elected and to serve.

To be clear not every guy on the list is a bad guy or a good-ole-boy. Define them as you see fit. And as I said earlier, even the good-ole-boys are not necessarily bad guys (except maybe that one I was referring to above).

If you want more diversity of ideas on the Council and less of the rinse and repeat, then you must not vote for any good-ole-boys at all – period. Not one.

No matter how clever, nice, friendly, or cool the old-guard may appear to be – don’t give them your vote.

If you truly want change, then vote for it and elect new energy, new ideas, and yes more women. If you are feeling particularly generous, throw a vote if you must to one of the good guys. But do not under any circumstances cast votes for candidates who might then beat the one or two or maybe three, that you really and truly want to win.

Now, go vote. Please. Today. Don’t wait until the last day of November 8th.

Exciting news on our work to purchase the Coco Palms Wailuanuiahoʻāno property! *updated 11/29/22

We’ve raised almost $200,000 in donation pledges. While still short of our first-tier $1 million goal, the response has been phenomenal.

Providing a pledge of financial support requires no out-of-pocket money today and is simply a statement and a commitment that says when I Ola Wailuanui is able to raise enough money to close on the purchase ($22 million plus or minus) – then and only then will you fulfill your pledge and make a contribution (tax-deductible).

We each have a different capacity to give. Some can write a check for $22 million in one motion. Others could give $2,000 per year for 5 years and still others will stretch to give $100. All are welcome.

To be clear, no pledge is too small.

If you prefer to make a direct online donation rather than a pledge, that would of course be welcome also!

It’s important that we reach that million-dollar mark by the end of January. Many deadlines converge on this date and it is essential we show maximum community support when this happens.

Please help if you can and email – IOlaWailuanui@gmail.com to request a pledge form.

Your pledge could be over time – X $ upon closing and purchase of the property and then X $ per year for the next 4 years.

Visit https://www.wailuanui.org and learn more about the vision, and plan to purchase Wailuanuiahoʻāno – formerly known as the Coco Palms Hotel.

You are probably familiar with the Coco Palms Hotel issue, and aware that this area is incredibly special in terms of its history and culture. You are probably also aware that the owners and would-be developers of this property have broken promise after promise to our community, and have treated this property like a rubbish heap for the past 30 years.

Achieving the first $1 million in community-based pledges will send a message loud and clear to the seller AND will open doors leading to larger funding commitments from financial institutions, philanthropic trusts, foundations, and government sources.

Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to leave this place a little better than we found it. So please chip in if you can!

Email – IOlaWailuanui@gmail.com to request a pledge form!

Yes, it’s a big lift. But we can and must do it.

Success means we, collectively as a community, leave a lasting legacy for our moʻopuna, and for generations to come – in perpetuity.

Failure means we and they, will forever lose a historical and cultural treasure that if called by its rightful name is Wailuanuiahoʻāno.

The $800,000 remaining to reach our goal can be achieved by just 80 people agreeing to pledge $2,000 per year X 5 years – and/or any number of gift combinations.

Please – email IOlaWailuanui@gmail.com request a pledge form and give to a level that makes you feel good and would make your moʻopuna proud!

Obligatory disclaimer: No one pays me to write. I am a volunteer and will make no money out of this. But I will sleep very well at night knowing that I did everything I could to help make it happen.

10 totally awesome progressives that when elected to the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives will – Rock the House! Plus a list of solid, forward-thinking Council candidates on every island. Plus, Plus, Plus – an update on the attacks against the Maui Council Onipaa candidates coming from the right – big development, big business, big money, and the hotel industry.

Let’s support and vote for these candidates and show the world they can flush their big money down the toilet – We are not going to let them buy our elections.

Please click through, read and SHARE!

https://mailchi.mp/47913d24f5d1/25-candidate-endorsements-statewide-5232505

I’m getting lots of calls from folks asking my opinion about the 4 proposed Kauaʻi County Charter Amendments,. and since this is after-all an opinion column (referring to my weekly column in The Garden Island), here goes:

I’m voting yes on Question 1: Relating to Prosecutor Vacancy
As we saw during the most recent “special election” the money and effort utilized seemed excessive and unnecessary. This change makes sense.

I’m voting no on Question 2: Relating to an Electric Power Authority
I don’t understand why we would want to eliminate our future choices. There appears to be no harm or cost in preserving this option so I see no sense in getting rid of it.

I’m voting no on Question 3: Relating to the Salary Commission
I fully confess to my own bias here, as I believe that in general “Boards and Commissions” should serve primarily in an advisory role. Those elected to public office may accept or reject those recommendations, or perhaps amend and accept them. The fundamental decision-making authority on matters of public policy including those that have budget impacts should be held and exercised by those elected to do so – not an appointed commission.

I’m leaning toward voting no on Question 4: Relating to Surety Bonds
Currently, certain officers and employees are required by existing charter language to be bonded and insured. If this measure passes, apparently that requirement will be eliminated. Whether removing the existing provision will reduce public protections, I do not know.

Below is the exact official language provided by the County intended to explain what voting yes or no would mean for the 4 Charter questions https://kauaiballotinfo.com.

As I initially dug through the info it became clear to me that “words matter” and the official words chosen to describe the impact of a yes or no vote – appear to favor the yes vote perspective. To demonstrate how the inclusion or exclusion of a few words does indeed matter, at the bottom of each question below I’ve included my thoughts marked by an asterisk * with suggested changes to the language underlined.

Question 1: Relating to Prosecutor Vacancy
Shall the County Charter be amended to require that future elections for Prosecuting Attorney occur at the same time as the County’s regularly scheduled elections?

Voting yes on this question would allow a first deputy prosecutor to serve as Prosecuting Attorney until a new Prosecuting Attorney is elected in a regularly scheduled election.

Voting no on this question would continue to require the County of Kauaʻi to hold a special election should a vacancy occur for Prosecuting Attorney if a vacancy lasts between one year and 18 months.

*This language seems straightforward and clear.

Question 2: Relating to an Electric Power Authority
Shall the Charter be amended to remove Article 30 which allows the County Council to create an electric power corporation?

Voting yes on this question would repeal Article 30 to avoid any duplication of services and limit the unnecessary growth of government.

Voting no on this question would allow the County Council to create an electric power authority corporation – a separate, independent unit from the County government that would be responsible for Kauai’s electricity – similar to KIUC.

*This language could have been written like this:
Voting yes on this question would repeal Article 30 and take away the current authority the County has to create a power authority should the need arise in the future.

Voting no on this question would continue to allow the County Council to create an electric power authority corporation – a separate, independent unit from the County government that would be responsible for Kauai’s electricity – similar to KIUC should the need arise.

Question 3: Relating to the Salary Commission
Shall the Charter be amended to give the Salary Commission the authority to establish the maximum salary for elected and appointed officials?

Voting yes on this question would allow the Salary Commission to establish the maximum salary for elected and appointed officials, which includes department heads and deputies.

Voting no on this question would continue to allow the County Council to reject all or portions of recommendations and findings made by the Salary Commission.

*This language could have been written like this:
Voting yes on this question would take away the power of the County Council to reject the recommendations and findings made by the salary commission.

Question 4: Relating to Surety Bonds
Shall the Charter be amended by removing the portion of section 19.17 that requires surety bonds for certain officers and employees?

Voting yes on this question would give the County flexibility in purchasing insurance and/or surety bonds by eliminating a provision that requires the purchase of surety bonds.

Voting no on this question would require the County to purchase surety bonds for certain officers and employees.

*This language could have been written like this:
Voting no on this question would ensure that certain officers and employees of the County continue to be covered by surety bonds as is now required by the charter.

After reading through the alternative language – does your opinion change? Do you find yourself rethinking how you’d like to vote? Whatever you choose, please vote!

Gary Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com

Why doesn’t Hawaii media report on The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), the source of Congressman Kahele’s ethics probe? I spent literally 5 minutes online… which led to the below. And this particular rabbit hole is dirty and goes deep if you want to follow it.

No matter what happens now, FACT and the individuals who were first to whisper in their ear the idea of going after Kahele…have accomplished their goal and achieved the headlines they sought.

According to The Center for Media and Democracy’s “Source Watch” https://bit.ly/3eMYMbI :

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) is a group that says it was founded in 2014 and has been described as “a conservative counterweight”…

In 2014, FACT’s funding came entirely from DonorsTrust. The group was led by Matthew Whitaker — who served as Trump’s acting United States Attorney General…According to Slate, FACT reports on what it sees “as ethical lapses by prominent Democrats and requested that government agencies and law enforcement investigate them—especially if they were Hillary Clinton.”…

“FACT’s origins and the source of funding” remain “obscure” according to the Washington Post …Some of the people listed as members of the board for FACT’s alleged predecessor say that they “never agreed to join” or “did not remember anything about the group.” One person listed as a board member said “the organization only existed on paper and didn’t do anything at all.” The actions of FACT, which were “overwhelmingly focused on Democrats,” may have violated its tax-exempt status, according to the Associated Press.

My note: Google DonorsTrust…and you will find…the Donors organizations are advertised as a way for very wealthy people and corporations to remain hidden when “funding sensitive or controversial issues,”

Another “can’t make this stuff up” note: Google Neil Corkery the current treasurer of FACT…and you can spend hours reading about his deep connections to hard-core right-wing groups, dark money…and more.

To be clear I do not know what exact complaints have been made against Congressman Kahele, nor whether he has violated any ethics rules.

Media reports seem to say the complaint is that he “co-sponsored” 4 bills that benefited the airline industry and his employer Hawaiian Airlines. I have no idea as to the actual nature or substance (or not) of the allegations against him but his type of ethical situation is a common one as every bill has some impact on everyone…Changes to regulations governing airlines impact airports and impact travelers etc etc etc

It seems likely that this comes down to whether there was a “direct and tangible impact that was specific to only his employer” or was the employer just part of a “class or broader group of beneficiaries (such as all airlines and the airline industry) who were targeted by the legislation. Another factor is whether or not any potential conflict was disclosed. It seems that Kahele’s employment with Hawaiian Airlines was common knowledge so it seems difficult to believe that failure to disclose would be a problem.

My point in posting this is that it’s important to know the facts “beyond the headlines” and the source of the complaint. In this case, the organization that planted the complaint that generated the media, FACT, is clearly biased and has a history involving dark money in support of conservative hard right causes.

As I said at the start of this piece: No matter what happens now, FACT and the individuals who were first to whisper in their ear the idea of going after Kahele…have accomplished their goal and achieved the headlines they sought.

It’s disgusting really.

Gary Hooser
*written in a bit of a rush…apologies for typos and grammatical stuff

In case you missed it. From the mass email I sent out earlier today: Statewide, County by County – Pono Hawaii Initiative Council Candidate Endorsements –

Please encourage friends and networks to sign up for my email at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com

Gary Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com

It’s time to get off the couch. Summer vacation is over. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back to the task at hand – helping to make our community, our world, and our planet a better place.

Ballots will begin arriving in our mailboxes in about two weeks. On November 8th the results will be announced and there will of course be winners and losers. As is always the case, some of these races will be determined by literally only a handful of votes.

To those who think that none of this matters, that the fix is already in, that voting and being involved in the “system” is a waste of time – You are wrong. I understand how and why you may feel this way, but you are wrong, wrong, wrong.

I’ve spent the past 28 years living and working in the “system” and know without any doubt whatsoever that individual voices and actions matter. I’ve seen it up close and personal. When individuals join together, united in collective action – they can move mountains.

By failing to take the time to just open the darn envelope and check a box or two – you my friend are part of the problem.

I’ve seen good, solid, community-based candidates of high integrity – win and lose by just a handful of votes. And I’ve seen major policy issues likewise succeed or fail by only a single vote.

Ditto to when you are too busy to send off a simple email to your state legislator or councilmember – supporting or opposing issues that are before them. By saying nothing you are in fact empowering the status quo.

I get it that you are busy, that life is hard, the kids gotta get to school, you gotta get to work, and bills are due on the 1st. I get it. Been there, done that.

But cry me a river. Filling out a ballot that is mailed directly to your house and returning it in a postage-paid envelope, is really not that hard. Cranking out a sentence or two in an email, signing a petition, or leaving a short voice-mail message with your elected official – all take literally less than 2 minutes to do.

“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Let this adage sink in and never forget the truth exposed by these 12 words.

Please, take the time to be involved and take ownership of your civic responsibility.

One side of me wants to apologize for beating up on you for being too busy to be involved, the other side of me wants to shake you even harder because of your neglect.

But there’s a whole lot at stake. We have people living under bridges and in cars because they cannot afford the astronomical rents. Climate change is real, the oceans are rising, and the storms are only getting stronger and stronger. We are losing our mountain streams, our beaches and special places have been monetized and no longer ours to enjoy in peace with friends and family.

We can do so much better. The challenges faced by our community and our planet are not intractable. We are surrounded by enormous wealth, and abundance. It is only the lack of political will that holds us back, not the lack of resources needed to fix things.

Political will comes via community demands, expectations and accountability. Elected government officials will provide the leadership and action demanded of them by those that elect them to their positions of power and influence.

If you’re not sure who to vote for, seek guidance from friends and organizations who are involved and perhaps more informed. If you are not sure about a particular race, leave it blank.

There is no shortage of advocacy organizations, that post their voting recommendations on social media and who promote “calls to action” that give clear, sometimes “one-click” options for you to let your voice be heard on important issues of the day. If your core values can be described as putting people and the planet above profits, you’re welcome to sign up to receive my weekly email missives, voting recommendations, and action alerts at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com

Regardless of your ideological bent – get involved, please. We will all benefit from the increased dialogue and inevitable civic synergy that results.

To those of you already involved and engaged in policy and politics, thank you and do more.

Give more to candidates who you support. Give them financial support, show up and help them hold signs at the side of the road. Go with them to knock on doors in the neighborhood. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and networks – encourage all to take action, get involved, and make a difference.

There, my rant for today is done. Now let’s go out and change the world.

Gary Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com

Our 4 member all (D) Hawai’i Congressional delegation came very close to being forced to vote on a deal proposed by Senator Joe Manchin (D – but not really) of West Virginia. 

Fortunately, regular people from all walks of life and all corners of the US rose up to say loudly and in unison to their elected members of Congress, “This is a bad bill, do the right thing. We are watching.”

As a result of this grassroots political pressure, the votes Manchin thought he had, have evaporated and he is now “pulling the bill” which effectively kills it. 

Senator Manchin’s bill was bad for the people of Virginia and West Virginia, bad for us here in Hawai’i and bad for the planet. 

For starters he was asking Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono, Rep. Kahele, Rep. Case and all of his Washington DC colleagues, to approve the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a 303-mile pipeline that would move natural gas from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. 

Asking the US Congress to approve a specific project to benefit one single Senator’s political agenda, in total disregard of local community input, local agency review, and local legal oversight – is so wrong on so many levels. 

According to national and local media reports, Manchin’s bill instructed government agencies in both Virginia and West Virginia to ignore prior court decisions and issue the permits, leases and other authorizations required to operate the pipeline and exempt those actions from judicial review. (Civil Beat – Gist)

While West Virginia Senator Manchin (D) was pushing hard for this, Virginia Senator Tim Kain (D) was pushing just as hard against it saying “It could open the door to serious abuse and even corruption.” (Virginia Mercury)

It gets worse.

The Manchin legislation proposed strict time limits for agencies to review environmental impacts of infrastructure projects built anywhere in the US. 

And as is oh so typical of the Manchin “starve the beast” mindset, the bill provided zero additional funding to help agencies meet the new requirements. This ensures that he and his friends on the far right could then continually complain about the inefficiencies of government and continue to cut government spending to keep it as inefficient as possible. 

His proposed bill would also shrink the statute of limitations on court challenges against agency permitting decisions from six years to about five months – knowing full well it can often take six months just for the public to become aware of the agency decision. 

This was a really, really, bad bill. 

Bad, but predictable. This push to move projects faster and with less oversight is not exclusive to Congress. 

Expect big money and big real estate development interests to soon play the same card here locally in the coming State legislative session. Just insert  “affordable housing development” into the slots now labeled “renewable energy development”. 

Under the guise of “fast tracking”, “streamlining” and “reducing regulatory barriers” the big money guys will be pushing hard to “expedite development” – promising us the holy grail of more affordable housing just as Manchin and his enablers were promising more renewable energy to fight climate change. 

The “streamlining government” line is straight out of the standard conservative playbook. Yes of course we should eliminate duplicative and unnecessary regulation, but only after thoughtful and thorough review – not via Congressional action with less than 30 days notice and not even one single public hearing. 

These developers, the largest of the large who can afford to buy the benefits of owning a US Senator- seek only to maximize profits by minimizing environmental protection’s, community input, and construction oversight. 

If approved, Manchin’s proposal, known as the Energy Independence and Security Act, would have inevitably led to more leaking pipelines, more contaminated drinking water, more windmills located even closer to schools and homes, more endangered species, and more profits for energy development corporation’s. 

We should be extremely thankful for the tens of thousands of regular citizens across the country who called their Senator and Representative, to express their concerns on this critically important issue. 

The people won this one.  Let’s stay united and vigilant, and keep showing up – by phone, by text and email, on the streets, and at the ballot box – to win again and keep the momentum growing. 

El Pueblo Unido Jamás Sera Vencido

The forward-thinking and bold work of the Maui Council I wrote about previously clearly struck a chord.

If you missed it read: “Policy and Politics – Learning From Maui County”

The question: “How do we get our Council to do this?”

The answer: Stop rewarding bad behavior. Stop reelecting councilmembers who do not put the community and environment first, and/or who talk-the-talk but do nothing except hold space. Instead identify candidates who share common values, actively help to get them elected, and then stick with them as they do their job.

It’s clear a majority of Maui’s councilmembers’ are solid in their values – community-based aloha ʻāina values. They are smart, hard-working, and not afraid to challenge big money and the corporate establishment.

They’re also able to work together toward common goals, setting aside ego and political grandstanding, and they don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good.

Most council/legislative bodies are governed by the law of inertia – a body at rest will remain at rest unless pushed, pulled, cajoled, or coerced into motion. Many newly elected policy-makers come into the system raring to go and itching to make change happen. They soon run into the realities of inertia and discover that many of their colleagues prefer to simply balance the budget, bring home some bacon for their district, and avoid controversy and conflict.

The easiest path of action by a councilmember/legislator is often to do nothing. They must talk about doing something, and they must move the pieces around on the board so it appears they are doing something, but doing nothing is the safest and most common path taken.

To be clear, a single individual on any council can make a difference, but to do what the Maui Council is doing and in fact to move any new policy of substance forward requires a majority willing to break the inertia and move in a new direction, taking some risks.

And that’s what they have on Maui – a Council majority of 5 willing to consistently vote for positive change. This is why Maui has the most progressive property tax structure, the most aggressive affordable housing policy, the strongest support for local agriculture, and a moratorium on new hotel and vacation rental development – to name just a few examples.

Majority rules. We learned this on the playground in elementary school.

When you have a majority of members who share common values, who trust each other, and who aren’t in constant fear of losing their next election – the results can move mountains.

Critically important also is the fact that the community backs them up. The community on Maui shows up to testify, and they show up to help their candidates campaign and win.

It’s like that positive feedback loop you’ve heard me mention before. The Councilmember does good things, and the people recognize and mahalo that achievement, and they show up to help and support keeping them in office as well. It’s a nice positive feedback loop to be caught in – both sides feel the love and both sides are motivated to keep doing more.

My ask today is for only one thing:
Please check out the Pono Hawaiʻi Initiative statewide list of endorsed council candidates, and state legislative candidates. Help them!

The general election will conclude on November 8th. Ballots will be mailed to homes across Hawaiʻi on or about October 20th. There’s not a lot of time.

Please help if you can.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com