GaryHooser's Blog

Today, Monday August 11th at 5pm – check out our Policy – Politics video podcast on YouTube and/or on FaceBook – We’ll be discussing the upcoming 2026 elections, hot-button “action” items, AND offering insider tips via “Lessons from the Ledge” 😉

We need elected leaders who can’t sleep at night.

Those who lead our government should be individuals who cannot “un-see” the injustice that permeates our so-called modern civilization.

We need servant leaders who toss and turn throughout the night as they think about what they can and MUST do to make things better.

A palpable urgency of the moment, with the absolute certainty that together we can build a better tomorrow, MUST dominate the thoughts and actions of those who sit at the top.

We need leadership at all levels who see the people in our community living on sidewalks, under bridges and in their cars, AND the crying, starving, and dying children of Gaza – EVERY SINGLE DAY.

We need policy makers and government administrators who are unable to look away from the degradation of our water, our food, and our oceans – – and who are totally committed to making our world a better place.

NOW. TODAY. AT THIS MOMENT.

“After the mid-terms”…”During the next regular session”…”Once the budget allows for it…”

Any language of further delay or denial is simply unacceptable.

Imagine if our Governor, our mayors, state legislators, and county council-members each stood up and publicly condemned Hamas for the murder of between 1,200 and 2,000 Israelis since October 7, 2023, AND condemned Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for the horrific retaliatory slaughter of over 60,000 Palestinians – with nearly a third of the dead under the age of 18. (Reuters).

The United States provides significant funding to the IDF, and thus supports the ongoing genocide. The U.S. is the largest provider of weapons and has more troops stationed in more bases, and in more countries, than ANY other nation on the planet.

Imagine if our government leaders had the courage and resolve to actually shrink the budget and physical footprint of the U.S. Military, here at home and overseas.

Imagine our local state and county government leaders standing up to ICE…and passing local laws that prohibit law enforcement from hiding behind masks, AND requiring due process.

Imagine further if our political leaders made a commitment to NOT wait until the next election cycle — or the next regular legislative session — or the next ANYTHING. Imagine if they started NOW and didn’t stop until our community and planet turned the corner.

That’s the leadership we need and deserve.

Anyone presently holding public office who’s unable to make that commitment and/or does not feel in their heart the urgency of the moment must be replaced in 2026 — or sooner if there are legal, moral and ethical methods to do so.

The good news: We the people have the power to make this happen.

If we’re asking our political leaders for a total commitment, it’s only right we offer the same.

This means individual and collective ACTION.

It means calling and emailing our political leaders at ALL LEVELS and demanding they take action NOW.

We need a special state legislative session NOW. We need our political leadership to condemn the atrocities occurring in GAZA NOW. We need our County governments to protect our local communities against the abuses of ICE – NOW.

Of course those in power will likely tell us “There’s no money.” Our response should be “BS”.

We live in a time and place of great abundance. The wealth that surrounds us should go where it is most needed and most deserved — to support our planet and our people.

We must get rid of our own personal excuses as well.

TO WIN, WE MUST SHOW UP.

We must attend those public hearings, hold signs at the protest rallies, submit testimony, actively support the campaigns of new candidates, donate money when we can, and RUN FOR ELECTION OURSELVES IF WE CAN’T FIND OTHERS TO STEP UP.

Dr. King said it best, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

So, let’s DO this. Let’s grab hold of that arc and pull it towards justice with everything we’ve got…and then let’s pull some more.

Gary Hooser
Just a tūtū man who can’t sleep at night and feels compelled to share.
To: Blog readers – I post my missives and ramblings here on this blog first…before I send out to my mass email list or post on FaceBook or other republication…Your feedback is important and sometimes I may edit subsequent versions based on thoughts and impressions you share with me…after you read the original blog post.

It’s way past time for our elected Democrats to step up, support, and FIGHT for the values and principles outlined within the Hawai’i Democratic Party Platform.

We need those who wear the “D” during their election campaigns to prove they really are Democrats.

Unfortunately, too many are Democrats in name only (DINOs).

They say the right things and brag about “liberal” values, but in their hearts they’re corporatists, masquerading as centrists, and dressed like Democrats.

Their natural inclination is to side with the Money — big business, developers, large landowners, and the wealthiest among us.

Our State legislature is full of them.

One would think having such a large majority of Democrats serving in the legislature would equate to the passage of forward thinking public policy strongly aligned with the Hawai’i Democratic Party platform.

One would think.

After-all, it’s pretty basic, non-controversial stuff.

For example, the official Democratic Party platform “supports measures to drastically reduce income and wealth inequality.”

It goes without saying that Hawai’i is way behind on this one.

Just talk to the folks working full-time and yet still forced to live in their car due to low wages and the high cost of housing.

Another key platform goal: “Protect and restore the civil and human rights of each person.”

Unfortunately, too many Democrats now in office support increased criminalization of the houseless, oppose criminal justice reform and are keeping their head in the sand when it comes to ICE and immigration.

”We believe government officials should . . . support full transparency in all government functions.” To say this foundational principle is regularly ignored by incumbent Democrats at the legislature, is a gross understatement (think about the travesty of SB933).

We need Hawai’i Democratic lawmakers to step up and do the job we’ve elected them to do.

In 2023, 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.

Massachusetts voters recently approved a “millionaires tax” that generated $2.46 billion in its first full year AND the millionaires are not fleeing the state because taxes are too high.

Hawai’i DINO’s actually reduced taxes for our own millionaires last year. AND the Trump administrations Big Ugly Bill has reduced their taxes even more.

Connecticut is a blue state that takes political corruption so seriously they passed a law making “failure to report public bribery” a criminal offense. If a public servant is aware their boss, or a colleague is on the take, they are legally required to report it or also be guilty of a crime.

I’ve gotta ask: Where’s OUR Big Beautiful Bill that increases taxes on the very rich AND attacks the root of “pay to play” culture in that big square building?

Where’s our own comprehensive legislative agenda that supports Democratic Party values such as; eradicating income inequality, protecting civil rights and due process, decriminalizing poverty, expanding free healthcare, reimagining public safety, campaign spending reform, increased transparency, and building true permanently affordable housing?

It’s not too late. Our Hawai’i Democratic legislators could – no, they SHOULD — and they MUST – call a Special Session to lessen the impact of the Big Bad Ugly Bill on our state.

And while they’re at it, they MUST take that opportunity to prove who they really are — and what they stand for.

Local Party leadership and Rank-and-file Democrats must insist that Democrats elected as Democrats begin ACTING like Democrats.

We can reform the Party, leave the Party, or join/start another Party.

All options are on the table.

Gary Hooser
Former State Senator and former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Now just a tūtū man doing his best to make our world a better place.

Walking in the Kōloa Days Parade this past Saturday was a fun reminder of how: “Lucky we live Kaua‘i”.

The weather was perfect, a hot summer day with blue skies and a cool breeze when you were fortunate to be in the shade. Friends and family, local residents and visitors alike lined the roadway clustered under the shade of large monkey pod trees, sitting on beach chairs, blankets and on tailgates of pickup trucks. Coolers filled with water, cut pineapple, and frozen ice snacks seemed to be everywhere while children of all ages waited patiently with huge smiles and obvious expectation of what would soon be coming down the road.

The parade route started at Kōloa Elementary School and ended up at the Kōloa park and athletic fields where under the big tents were local crafts, jewelry, clothing, art, music, dance, Taiko drumming, and much more.

There were huge delicious looking watermelons, colorful shave-ice cones, cotton candy, flying saucers, and other delightful snacks to choose from.

The parade itself can only be described as “local style” in the most positive sense. Rugged paniolo astride their spirited steeds, local dignitaries walking and waving, community organizations carrying signs and banners, convertibles, golf carts, and flatbeds- all part of the grand procession.

Keiki walked with kūpuna. Old time Kōloa residents and kama‘aina walked side-by-side with part-time residents and malahini. Real estate developments and resorts shared the road with conservation groups and non-profits. Everywhere, people from all walks of life were talking and laughing, shaking hands and embracing. Friends old and new were doing the things that build and strengthen communities – celebrating their love of life on Kaua‘i and specifically the love and respect for life in Kōloa. Yes, we are very lucky to be able to call Kaua‘i home.

Was truly a Louis Armstrong “Wonderful World” type of moment.

The Hooser Ohana walked with the good folks of Malama Maha‘ulepu. The protection and preservation of the Maha’ulepu area and coastline is sacrosanct, and we were honored to join this hardworking and dedicated community group.

While Claudette and I have called the east-side home for the past 45 years, our son and his family have put down roots in Kōloa. They own a small eatery, the Smash Cafe, located on the corner as you first enter Old Kōloa Town. Our grandson is a proud student at Koloa Elementary School, and loves fishing with uncle along the coastline. His little sister who’s not yet old enough for school, runs with the neighbor kids, and chases the chickens for fun.

Needless to say, we’ve come to love this little town and the sunny south-side of our island.

Kōloa is a real community. The people who live there, know their neighbors. They watch each others kids. It’s a place where guaranteed, you’re going to run into friends at the market, or down at the harbor. You can walk or ride your bike to town and the beach.

Kōloa is a uniquely special place with a storied history surrounded by a pristine natural environment that include mountains that will take your breath away and a coastline unlike any other in the world.

This is why the Hooser Ohana walked with Malama Maha’ulepu. This is why we should all walk, support and work along side of them and other worthy organizations committed to the work of protecting that which is irreplaceable.

Mahalo to the good folks who organized, supported, and made the Kōloa Days Parade happen – it’s an annual reminder of how lucky we are and of our kuleana to this place.

I’m parking 5 years of my previous writing here on this page today.
This is a LiveJournal Blog I started in 2005 and then switched to WordPress in 2010…sooooo that means about 20 years of writing policy, politics, and personal missives….at least 1 per week…so do the math Gary….1,040 at the minimum missives…hmmm…something tells me I will never find the time to go through and sort or catalog them…to see which are worth saving or turning into book or manual or something…dealing with political advocacy and running for office…which is the majority of the content…but who knows? Maybe I’ll get a Bee in my bonnet and dig into it one day. In any case…don’t want to lose it again (I just rediscovered it today while looking for a particular piece of writing I know I did…but could not find. But enough rambling for a Sunday! Here is is https://garyhooser.livejournal.com

Mahalo for taking the time to check in and read this blog once in a while. I do my best to keep my posts informative, useful, entertaining if possible – and not too long.

If you want more… Please consider subscribing to my email rant-letter or political action-letter or whatever you want to call it…but it’s not a newsletter! Please…I truly hate the term and I certainly don’t read newsletters.

Please also watch our newest – Policy + Politics video podcast via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/THJnzO2FfPQ?si=ZL6fQqLw24lgL82f

or Policy + Politics via FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZU7RN7sda/

The shows are all recorded and available to view anytime. Please take a moment to watch and/or just listen…and let me know what you think. We are new at this and your feedback is greatly appreciated.

My co-host extraordinaire, Aria Juliet Castillo, is on vacation and so yesterday’s show was just me!

It’s basically “Hooser unleashed” :-).

I promise to do my very best to deliver 90 minutes of coherent, interesting, and valuable policy and politics content.

If you have specific questions or issues you would like me to talk about…please respond here to this blog post…and again feedback and suggestions on how we might improve…are welcome 😉

Your’s truly,

Gary Hooser
former lots of things…but forget the titles
Just call me tūtū man

Months ago Hawai’i legislators were told to hold August 25-29, September 29-October 3, and November 17-21 for a possible special session to deal with the anticipated Trump budget cuts.

The Legislature convened a special session in 2017 to deal with the Honolulu fixed rail project.

One would think hauling people away in the middle of the night without due process, and the Trump Administration attacks upon all areas of civil society would warrant at least the same degree of attention as “rail”.

One would think.

The needs are great and we cannot wait until the next regular session.

There’s nothing regular about the times we’re living in.

Coming up with the State funds necessary to offset the impacts of Federal funding cuts impacting Hawai’i public schools, health care, nutrition assistance, environmental protection, and other essential public services – is priority #1.

“Fixing” the deeply flawed SB933 (4 politicians empowered to award $50,000,000 to nonprofits behind closed doors) is just one of several legislative actions, that cannot wait until the “regular” session.

Mahalo to Representative Della Belatti for proposing this fix and strongly speaking in support of convening a much needed special session. Mahalo also to Representatives: Kim Coco Iwamoto, Kanani Souza, and House Majority Whip Amy Perruso for joining in that support.

Rep. Perruso also supports including in the special session a measure prohibiting law enforcement officers from hiding their identity behind masks while making arrests, requiring visible credentials, and ensuring due process. In addition she’s advocating for passage of a bill banning state contractors and their immediate families from donating to political campaigns (pay to play).

These 3 items: No secret police, fix SB933, and close the contractor “pay to play” loophole – represent a good start.

I believe however the people deserve more.

We have an affordable housing crisis that needs emergency ACTION, not just an emergency declaration.

Sweeping the unsheltered from public view should be the crime, not sleeping in your car or in the bushes at the side of the road – when there’s literally no other legal place to sleep.

Restoring faith and confidence in government, must also be a priority.

Strengthening campaign spending laws, ending the “two ticket to a fundraiser” scam allowing the transfer of money between candidates, closing the “contractor family and friends loophole”, and passing publicly funded elections – would be huge steps in the right direction.

Special sessions can be called by the governor or by a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate and may last up to 30 days.

Please join me now in reaching out to every legislator in that big square building.

Contact first, your district Senator and Representative – (name/contact info here https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/ ) AND then contact Senate President Ronald Kouchi (808-586-6030 senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov ) and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (808-586-6100 repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov ).

Let them know you’re counting on them to support a special session.

Should they say there’s not enough time in a special session to do what’s needed, remind them they can and should start now, form working groups, hold hearings, fine-tune bills – and then during the actual 30 day special session conduct the final hearings and votes.

Inevitably they will bring up the money, or lack thereof.

Remind them gently yet firmly that last year they approved tax cuts that will cost Hawai’i over $1.4 billion per year. (Hawai’i Appleseed)

Suggest that perhaps during the special session they should claw back a billion or so from the wealthy beneficiaries of both the Hawai’i 2024 tax cuts and those contained in Trumps BBB.

We need thoughtful, proactive, positive action, not excuses for putting things off to another day.

That day is now. Please make the calls and send the email.

Let’s do this.

Gary Hooser

I just posted this comment on a StarAdvertiser story where the governor and others are quoted saying we don’t need a special session because the really bad stuff hasn’t happened yet…so my comment is “Yes absolutely makes total sense to me. Why hold a special session now to be proactive prior to the actual crisis arriving? Why not just wait for bad things to actually happen first before troubling our part-time legislative leaders? After-all everything else is totally on track. The number of masked ICE enforcers have not yet gotten the headlines here that deserve a response. Let’s wait until something really bad that makes super headlines that alarms even more tourists before we take proactive steps. Our unsheltered have sufficient, safe, clean, and weather resistant (almost) tents to live in (so long as they move on every few weeks) AND we already gave them an emergency declaration! Surely they can wait until a regular session? Our contractors and their friends and family members can still contribute to political campaigns, and the need and frequency of political fundraising can now move full speed ahead, without being hindered by cumbersome regulations. Oh yes…SB933 which is now law…will allow 4 of our best legislators to dispense $50,000,000 to nonprofits in their districts and across the islands from the privacy of their closed door meetings. What could go wrong? We don’t need no stinking special session when we have the status quo which is working just fine!”

If you agree a Special Session is yes most definitely needed NOW please
Contact first, your district Senator and Representative – (name/contact info here https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/ ) AND then contact Senate President Ronald Kouchi (808-586-6030 senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov ) and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (808-586-6100 repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Here’s the story “Special Session May Not Be Needed”

Thinking of Congressman and civil rights activist John Robert Lewis (1940 – 2020) AND hoping you will consider joining me and many others this coming Thursday July 17 in stirring up and supporting “Good trouble, necessary trouble”.

* Hilo: 3 – 5pm Pauahi St and Kamehameha Ave. Hilo Bayfront

* Kailua-Kona: Queen Kaʻahumanu Hiwy near Mormon Temple 4 – 5 p.m.

* Naʻalehu: Hwy 11 near the Naʻalehu Post Office from 4 – 5pm

* Waimea (North HI): Mamalahoa Hiwy near Parker Ranch Center 4 – 5 p.m.

* Oʻahu: From noon – 1:30 at the State Library (featuring several “speakers”)

* Maui: At Queen Kaʻahumanu Center from 4:30 – 6 p.m.

* Kauai’i: Along highway/sidewalk, Kukui Grove, Macy’s 4:30-6:00 p.m.

NOTE: The above times and locations are from FaceBook posts primarily – Indivisible, the ACLU. Various organizations are sponsoring and co-sponsoring various events and the above is not intended to be an all inclusive list (and details may have changed). Please google or call around or ask your friends to confirm times and locations – then SHOW UP!

I’m writing today while thinking of Congressman and civil rights activist John Robert Lewis (1940 – 2020) AND hoping Kauai’i residents will consider joining me and many others in supporting his spirit of making “Good trouble, necessary trouble” by showing up and speaking out – this week especially!

Important Public Meeting
Kapaa Middle School
Tuesday July 15, 2025 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
4867 Olohena Road

Topic: Hokua Place https://www.hokuaplace.com/
900 housing units proposed for the hillside behind the middle school.

The developer will be presenting this project to the community and this is a great opportunity to learn about, and speak out about traffic, drainage and wastewater impacts. In addition, this meeting is an opportunity to voice your opinion on the “affordable housing component” being proposed. Is it real? Is it enough? Are the promises being made by the developer backed up in writing? Is our local government going to enforce and hold the developer accountable to fulfill their promises?
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* Thursday July 17 4:30-6:00 p.m. Mahalo to Kauai’i Indivisible for your leadership in organizing this “Good Trouble” sign-holding event along the highway fronting Kukui Grove (outside Macy’s). Let’s all join together to express our concern and outrage — about the direction in which the United States of America is headed under the present administration. Bring a sign if you can, with your own message stated loud and clear!
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Other important actions that need your support this week are related to the U.S. Navy and NASA’s release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for PMRF and NASA’s Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory.

There are three meetings on this topic. Please attend one if you can.

* Tuesday July 15, 2025 5 – 8 p.m.
Kaua’i Veterans Center

* Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5 – 8 p.m
Kekaha Neighborhood Center
 
*. Thursday, July 17, 2025 5 – 8 p.m.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort

The Navy and NASA will provide a public overview of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, describing and disclosing proposed uses and expected environmental, health, and cultural impacts (Section 106 – National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Public questions and comments will also be accepted.
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And still yet one more important “good trouble action” is the Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant – Draft Water Pollution Permit coming before the Department of Health. Your email comments on this are needed by July 26! Send to cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov and cc hlilley@surfrider.org

If you think it stinks now, just think about what it will smell like IF they approve this permit as it is now written, IF the 350 hotel rooms built at Coco Palms are built AND IF 900 homes at Hokua Place are approved.
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Read on for more information on the PMRF DRAFT EIS process AND Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant – Permit.
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SENDING IN PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE DEIS IS IMPORTANT and may be submitted at the public meetings, and/or via the website ( https://pmrf-kpgo-eis.com/ ) by 11:59 p.m. (HST) Thursday, August 7, 2025.

The Draft EIS documents are here: https://pmrf-kpgo-eis.com/documents/

These meetings are conducted by the Navy and NASA. Concerned residents must also look at what’s not being said and not being disclosed. Remember too that indirect, cumulative, and secondary impacts, must ALL be examined – as well as the more obvious direct impacts.

Back to the stench we smell almost daily driving past Lydgate.

Allowing the ocean water of one of our islands premier family beach parks to be continuously contaminated by partially treated sewage is not ok.

The Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant is an aging facility built in a floodplain and tsunami zone with a history of failing pipes, sewage spills, and ever-present stench.

This facility has needed a serious upgrade for decades. This area holds deep cultural significance to Native Hawaiians with two heiau within the project area.

The ocean outfall is only 30’ underwater and approximately 235 yards off the coastline.

Email the cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov and cc hlilley@surfrider.org prior to July 26.

Explain how you use the ocean waters around Lydgate Beach Park (i.e. surf, swim, kite, windsurf, fish, gather limu)

Describe the smell, pollution or illness you may have experienced.

Say NO to dumping of partially treated sewage in our oceans.

Describe the cultural impact in a place sacred to Native Hawaiians.

Demand a stronger permit that sets real limitations, adds robust monitoring and protects public health and the reef!

Please show up, speak out, and send off that email. Mahalo plenty to Kauai’i Surfrider for taking a leadership role on this.

Gary Hooser
Here is a picture of me reflecting on how to best make some good trouble 😉

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