GaryHooser's Blog

Your testimony is needed NOW!

Please testify in strong support of BOTH HB1271 and SB335.

HB1271 Abolishes the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) and transfers its responsibility and budget to the Department of Agriculture. HB1271 is scheduled for a hearing before the House Agriculture Committee this Friday at 10 am. Testimony is due ASAP and prior to the hearing (late testimony is better than no testimony). See here for info: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1271&year=2021

SB335 mandates the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) lease out at least 50% of its land to farmers and ranchers whose business is “local food production.” SB335 is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee this Friday at 3 pm. Testimony is due ASAP and prior to the hearing (late testimony is better than no testimony). See here for info: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=335&year=2021

Why does there need to be a law requiring the agency (ADC) managing State agricultural land to actually lease that land for local food production? The answer: According to a recent State audit the ADC’s management has failed miserably over the past nearly 30 years.
Read Audit Here: https://auditor.hawaii.gov/summary/report-no-21-01-audit-of-the-agribusiness-development-corporation/

The ADC in my opinion should actually be abolished but until then it needs to be tightly controlled – and there needs to be a mandate to lease these state agricultural lands to farmers and ranchers who actually grow food for local consumption – regardless as to whether they are managed by the ADC or the DOA.

The ADC manages over 22,000 acres of state-owned agricultural land, most of which is located on Kauai and central Oahu. The vast majority of this land is not used to produce food, certainly not food for local consumption. Spoiler alert: The large fields of corn you see are mostly “seed corn”  grown by agro/chemical companies, intended for export, and used to produce ethanol, cattle feed, and high fructose corn syrup. No one actually eats this corn.

🌱A state audit recently revealed that throughout the entirety of its 27-year existence, the ADC has failed to accomplish much of its mission aside from acquiring large acres of land.

🌱The special powers and exemptions granted to the ADC have led to an opaque and unfair leasing process. Small farmers and ranchers have been denied leases with no justification.

🌱Instead of being used for local food production, the majority of ADC lands are currently being leased to agrochemical companies for experimentation and GE seed crops for export.

🌱Mismanagement of ADC lands and a lack of accountability has led to lawsuits, Clean Water Act violations, and other illegal activities on ADC lands that create liabilities for the government.

🌱The results of the audit show that the corporation is incapable of carrying out its basic statutory responsibilities and functions. It also shows that they’re unable to fulfill the recommendations contained in the auditor’s report. Therefore, the ADC should be dissolved.

🌱Lawmakers should prioritize regenerative farming operations on state agricultural lands that utilize soil and water conservation practices. These farming practices provide additional environmental benefits such as improved soil health and preventing run-off.

🌱A stakeholder engagement and planning process is needed so Hawai’i’s agricultural lands can be utilized for sustainable, local food.

Testifying Is Easy
I encourage all to be involved and take action. All you need to know about submitting testimony, tracking bills and contacting your legislator can be found at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov  Just register, plug in the bill # (HB### or SB###) and you are good to go.

I awoke the other morning angry and thinking about the ongoing desecration occurring at the bottom of the hill. I’ve been driving by that place every day for the past 40 years. Since 1992 it has been a total wreck. The weeds grow tall, the buildings sit in what seems like a perpetual state of semi-demolishment, and every few years there are fires.

The owners of this property clearly don’t care about us. The former Coco Palms Resort is simply one line item among many on their balance sheet. Every few years the owners “sell” the place to developers who blow into town, tell us how much they love our island, promise to restore the place to its former glory, and then con the County of Kauai into extending the “Iniki permits” and other development concessions.

It’s been 29 years now and well past time we say enough is enough and demand that the desecration be stopped.

I use the word desecration intentionally. There are hundreds of iwi kupuna buried here.

There are ancient fishponds, just waiting to be restored. The area abounds with native birds and plants. The history both ancient and modern deserves to be preserved.

The area upon which this former resort sits is literally the birthplace of Hawaiian royalty.

According to the book, “The Story of the Coco Palms Hotel” by David P. Penhallow, the Coco Palms Resort is on an ancient site of Hawaiian royalty and hospitality situated at the mouth of the Wailua River … well known to Hawaiians as a place of many legends and events of historical, cultural and religious significance. This is the landing place of the Kahiki voyagers, who came ashore here at Kauai at about 500 AD.

Those Kanaka who have occupied this property over the years should be applauded for their conviction. It’s the foreign “owner” and the wannabe developers who deserve to be evicted for their ongoing neglect.

I warned you early on that I woke up angry. The desecration, insult, and abuse to our community and to this land is real and those in positions of leadership need to step up and say enough is enough.

The defilement of this special place has gone on way too long, and it’s sad and disgusting that we, collectively, have allowed it so.

The property should be taken away from those that now control its ownership, and developed as a community asset that honors and respects its history, culture, and sacredness. Yes, of course they need to be paid fair market value. I am angry, but not that angry.

Our County government must hold the developers to the letter of the law, revoke permits that are not in compliance, and begin condemnation proceedings. We as a community, led by those with ancestral roots in that aina must hold the vision. And yes, individuals and institutions of wealth and influence must join in partnership and support of that vision. All three components are needed and all three must join together, united in purpose.

No doubt it’s a big lift. I get that.

But we need to hold the intention.

No hotel will ever again be built on that property.

A comprehensive, inclusive community vision that honors the history, the culture, and the sacredness of that place will in fact move forward and become a reality.

Published January 3, 2021 in The Garden Island newspape – Hooser Policy and Politics

The most common excuse offered to justify inaction by legislators at all levels of government is a claim of pragmatism. Lawmakers are fond to talk about playing the “long game” preferring to keep their heads down, avoid risks, build seniority, and hold on to their seats.

We have residents living under bridges and in encampments along the side of the road. Far too many of our friends and neighbors struggle daily, working multiple jobs just to get by. Our streams and reefs are dying, and our coastlines rapidly dropping into the ocean.

The legislative session in Hawaii is on. Hawaii residents on every island, must via our collective action impress upon our legislators state-wide that we will not wait passively in the shadows while they play their long game.

The urgency is real and the needs are great. Click on this Mailchimp link to read the rest and to take action! https://mailchi.mp/garyhooser/house-moves-to-block-county-covid-travel-restrictions

This is important. If you live on a neighbor-island, HB1286 will impact you and the health of your island. HB1286 will be scheduled for hearings soon and your testimony is vitally important.

HB1286 – RELATING TO TRAVEL
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1286&year=2021

If HB1286 passes into law – Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii County will no longer have the power to choose their own level of COVID health protections.

HB1286 is a one-size-fits-all COVID policy for incoming travelers, that says Honolulu rules, rule.

“Notwithstanding chapter 127A or any other law to the contrary, this Act shall take precedence over all conflicting statutes concerning this subject matter and shall preempt all contrary laws, ordinances, rules, orders, or proclamations adopted by the State, a county, or any department or agency thereof.”

HB1286 further proposes that “…the department of health shall establish conditions under which persons may be deemed automatically exempt from the pre‑travel testing requirements and mandatory self-quarantine.”

We all know how pleased everyone was with the DOH leadership during the first months of the pandemic, so yes, let’s take control away from elected leaders who actually live in the County and give it to the “professionals” in Honolulu.

Auwe!

State law and DOH rules should set a floor of protections and not a ceiling. If a County desires stronger health protections, they should be allowed to put them into place.

How many more Honolulu centric policies do we need? The blatant disregard for the different needs and circumstances of the neighbor-island communities is astonishing but sadly predictable.

Please contact your State House Representative and say “no thank you.” A list and contact information is here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=H

HB1286 Introducers: SAIKI, AQUINO, BELATTI, CULLEN, ELI, GATES, HASHEM, HASHIMOTO, HOLT, ICHIYAMA, ILAGAN, JOHANSON, KAPELA, KITAGAWA, B. KOBAYASHI, D. KOBAYASHI, LOWEN, MATAYOSHI, MCKELVEY, MIZUNO, MORIKAWA, NAKASHIMA, ONISHI, QUINLAN, TAM, TARNAS, TODD, YAMANE, YAMASHITA

January 14: Civil Beat reports on a scathing audit of the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). Auditor: State Agriculture Agency Is Failing To Fulfill Mission
Read actual audit here httpsauditor’s.hawaii.gov/auditor/Reports/2021/21-01.pdf

January 20: House Speaker Scott Saiki launches probe of the auditor’s office intended to possibly remove the State Auditor, Les Kondo from office. Civil Beat: “House Speaker launches probe of State auditor”

January 20: Speaker Saiki submits a bill to chop the auditors budget in half. Do the math if you are interested. No other agency in this budget is being cut so drastically.

UPDATE: Here is the latest Civil Beat story on the 50% budget cut published on January 23, 2021. “Proposed Budget Cuts Would Basically Gut Hawaii State Auditor’s Office”

The current proposed legislative budget for 2021 is here in HB1:
“MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.”

It is shocking really. The State Auditor comes out with what is arguably the strongest and most important audit of the year. Within 7 days, the Speaker of the House Scott Saiki calls for his head and for good measure chops his budget in half.

What’s going on here?

The Office of the State Auditor is intentionally shielded by law from excess political influence. The Auditor is appointed for an 8-year term and can only be removed for cause, with a 2/3 majority vote of both the House and the Senate.

Decide for yourself: Please read the Civil Beat articles and the actual audit linked above. After you’ve had a chance to read and digest the information that is available – please contact your legislator directly and share with them your thoughts on the matter.

Here is a complete list and contact information for all Representatives and Senators.

Summary remarks from the Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) audit: “We found that ADC has done little – if anything – to facilitate the development of agricultural enterprises…After almost 30 years, ADC has yet to develop an agribusiness plan…ADC did not follow the state procurement process…as a result of the Board’s abdication of its policy-making and oversight responsibilities, ADC has yet to provide the necessary leadership to facilitate the transition of agricultural lands…after almost 30 years since its creation.” Read an eye-opening official summary of the ADC audit.

In addition, UHERO issued a separate report also highly critical. Read Civil Beat – Economists: Agribusiness Development Corp. Is A ‘Fiasco’

I encourage all to monitor HB1 and submit testimony in support of blocking the 50% budget cuts being proposed by Speaker Saiki.

Best,

Gary Hooser – http://www.garyhooser.com

Wednesday January 20, 2021 was a big day in policy and politics. Actually, they don’t get much bigger than this. The President of the United States was sworn into office, and it was opening day of the Hawaii Legislature.

Rocked by a global pandemic and political discord not seen since the civil war, the expectations and the needs are high. My hope is that our leaders and our community will in the days ahead, rise to the occasion. 

In Honolulu, the Capitol building was essentially shut down with none of the normal pomp and circumstance. There was no music, no food, and no speeches. It’s a shame really. I am a bit surprised there was not at least a virtual opening day ceremony.

At the national level, the most hopeful moment was when the youngest poet in inaugural history, Amanda Gorman took the stage.  Please take the time with friends and family to watch and listen to her inspirational words of hope and unity. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4

President Biden spoke well and delivered the message that needed to be delivered at this particular time in history.  He is of course facing a very high bar. He must lead the country through the anger, the angst, the pandemic, and the conspiracy ridden societal discontent. An impossible task I think unless the majority of us who voted for him start talking to our neighbors.

Really, that’s the only way we are going to win. We have to align ourselves in support, and as kindly and as gently as possible inform our friends, neighbors, and relatives – that there is no micro-chip hidden within the vaccine, the mob that stormed the capitol was not organized by BLM and/or ANTIFA, and that President Biden won the election fair and square. Not a single court nor any State elections office or legislature has concluded there was any significant incidence of fraud that might even come close to impacting the results.

This is job #1. We must do our best to convince our once rational friends that they have been lied to. I am serious here. We cannot keep looking the other way when it comes QAnon or whatever conspiracy du-jour is floating around. The misinformation and disinformation is intentional, the rabbit holes are deep, and the whole thing is dangerous.

Next, we need to explain to all who will listen that supporting the equal and fair treatment of all people regardless of their station in life is not some outrageous communist plot. Affordable health care, quality public education, good jobs that pay a living wage, and protecting public resources from private exploitation, are not radical ideas.

Another eminently un-outrageous thought is that we must have a tax structure that is fair and equitable. Those who extract more from the public commons, those who waste more, consume more, and pollute more, should pay more. And yes, those who have more should also pay more.

It’s really all pretty tame, main-stream stuff. Certainly, there’s no reason to be afraid and to go charging up the Capitol steps, wearing horns and a fur cape, looking for a hidden socialist. Most of us are right here in plain view.

Talking to our friends, neighbors, and co-workers and letting them know there is nothing to be afraid of is critically important. They must understand we’re not going to tax them to death, take away their religion or their 2nd amendment, and their 401k will be just fine.

All we really want is a more just and fair society – for all of us. 

Gary Hooser
Published January 20th, 2021 in The Garden Island Newspaper (the above version has been slightly edited from the TGI version to put the date of publication in context)

President Donald Trump lied, and people died. This is the unvarnished truth. He and his enablers and those who participated in acts of violence, must be held accountable.

The unsettling and dangerous situation that occurred inside our nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, is pressing heavily upon all of us. Urged on by words from the president of the United States, a mix of domestic terrorists, political zealots and narcissistic hooligans stormed the seat of our Republic. Death, destruction and fear was their objective, and they were successful in achieving that outcome.

The threat and specter of continued violence hangs like a dark and ominous cloud. What can and should be done now?

From a distance, separated both literally and figuratively from the halls and chambers of government power and authority — the answer for most of us is to simply hold on.

We must hold on, remain aware, and keep our personal safety a priority during the coming weeks. Then, when the storm passes as it surely will, we must seek a path that demands both accountability and de-escalation.

Accountability and consequences are the first order of business. Those who broke the law, regardless of their title or position, must be brought to justice. Those enablers who maneuvered intentionally in the political grey areas of ethics and integrity, must also pay a price of public exposure, censure and condemnation.

Ultimately we must move past accountability and consequences, and through the anger and divisiveness. Both in our local communities and at the national level, we must begin a conversation soon that starts the healing and de-escalates the hate and animosity.

The cynics of course will say that it can’t be done. And for the fringe, the bigots and the zealots, it indeed may be impossible. But for the vast majority of us, we can and we must move soon to rebuild relationships and restart conversations.

There is no shortage of common ground and that’s where our focus must turn.

We need to create jobs. Good jobs that pay a living wage. We need to rebuild our public infrastructure, protect our natural environment and ensure that all communities have clean water to drink. Quality health care and a quality education must be available for all regardless of income or station in life. And supporting all of this, we must have ethical, transparent, and a truly representative inclusive government that is held accountable by honest and open elections.

To pay for our public and societal needs, we must have a tax structure that is fair and equitable. Those who extract more from the public commons, those who waste more, consume more and pollute more, should pay more. And yes, those who have more should also pay more.

Microsoft’s Bill Gates himself stated recently on CNN, “ … the government should require people in my position to pay significantly higher taxes.” Fellow billionaire Warren Buffett said similarly on CNBC, “The wealthy are definitely undertaxed relative to the general population.”

Yes, there is much common ground. While the strategies and tactics to achieve these common goals and objectives may differ, most will agree as to where we ultimately want to go as a society.

The coming weeks will be difficult and challenging. President Trump and others must be held accountable. Those in positions of leadership and power must know that their words and actions have consequences. And the people must know that laws are for everyone, regardless of your wealth, race or title.

But then, after those who brought this grave harm to our Republic are held accountable, we must move on. We must move on to build a more just society where a diversity of people break bread and share ideas, where justice and equality is the norm and where bigotry and violence are an unacceptable aberration.

by Gary Hooser
Published in the Honolulu Star/Advertiser
January 18, 2021

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/01/18/editorial/island-voices/column-after-the-insurrection-accountability-and-reconciliation/

If you believe as I do, that anyone who works 40 hours a week deserves a wage sufficient to provide a dry safe place to live and 3 meals a day, please Click Here to send Speaker Saiki an email, asking him to support an increase in Hawaii’s minimum wage.

Pandemic or no pandemic, minimum wage workers in 27 different states and dozens of cities and counties will be receiving a raise this year, AND many require automatic annual adjustments tied to the cost of living.

But here in Hawaii, unless House Speaker Scott Saiki takes action soon, our frontline workers will get nothing and remain stuck at $10.10 per hour in a state where it costs $17 simply to survive.

Despite having a legislature dominated by Democrats, and a Democratic Party that has made increasing the minimum wage a top priority, Hawaii’s legislative leadership has refused to give minimum wage workers any raise at all.

$17 per hour by 2026, with annual cost of living increases, should be our target.

In 2019, Governor Ige publicly supported a $15 minimum wage. The Hawaii Senate actually passed such a bill that was subsequently gutted by the House and killed in Conference Committee. Standing in the way of its passage seems always to be the House.

Thus, if a minimum wage increase is to occur in 2021 it must have the support of Speaker of the House, Scott Saiki.

Speaker Saiki and his leadership team tightly control everything in the Hawaii State House of Representatives; every committee assignment, every bill that gets scheduled for a hearing, and whether or not a bill ever goes to a floor vote. He even controls who gets what office and parking space.

If Speaker Saiki wants to pass a bill increasing Hawaii’s minimum wage, it will happen. If he opposes an increase, then no increase will be passed and frontline workers will get nothing.

While he will publicly demur and say that he only expresses the will of the “majority” – that is shibai. The “House majority” has repeatedly indicated their strong support for at least a $15 minimum wage. Clearly, either the Speaker or the “majority” is being less than forthright when expressing their intentions.

Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the entire United States. The pandemic has exposed more than ever before the injustice put upon our most essential workers who are paid the equivalent of starvation wages.

The reality of any wage increase passed by the legislature in 2021 is that it would not likely go into effect until 2022, and be phased in slowly over a 4 or 5 year time period.

To those who claim economic calamity will occur if the minimum wage is increased, the historical evidence and research indicate this is absolutely not the case. Read this excellent Hawaii report. And from a federal perspective here is additional comprehensive easy to read information.

It’s important. Please email today and before January 22 if possible. Click here to send Speaker Saiki an email, and if you are a minimum wage worker or earn less than $15 per hour, please tell your story about why increasing the minimum wage is important to you.

Mahalo to all for taking the time to take action on this very important issue.

Sincerely,

Gary Hooser
My granddaughter Isabella, crossing her fingers and hoping you will send an email to Speaker Saiki, and that he will do the right thing and support increasing Hawaii’s minimum wage 🙂

The images of recent violence and the storming of the Capitol in Washington D.C. are everywhere and impossible to avoid. Unfortunately and very sadly, threats of future and imminent violence have also arrived even here in Hawaii.

My hope is that we are better than that. I hope and yes I pray that here in the land of aloha, cooler heads will prevail.

Truthfully, I cannot imagine our community devolving into the mob we saw in action just a few days ago. However, as is true of every community, we also have sprinkled throughout the islands, our own share of zealots, hooligans, and would-be insurgents.

Therefore we must during the coming days be vigilant in our pursuit of genuine civic engagement, and push back against any and all conversation or actions that advocate violence.

All of us, regardless of political orientation and regardless of who we supported in the recent elections, must be united in opposition to violence and bigotry.

Free speech is a cherished and valued right we all are entitled to. However, during these times when the tinder is so dry, I encourage all to just stay home. Exercise your free speech in a responsible manner on your keyboard if you must, but please resist adding sparks or fuel to the fire.

We cannot allow the thugs and the bigots to yank our chains and goad us into accommodating their goal of violent confrontation.

Our conversation must turn soon to solving the common problems and challenges the vast majority of us agree on.

Supporting small businesses and creating jobs, good jobs that pay a living wage is a priority for most. We need to protect our natural environment. Our children deserve a quality education. To pay for our public and societal needs, we must have a tax structure that is fair and equitable. And we must have ethical, transparent, and inclusive government leadership.

Most of us will profess to support these fundamental goals and there are many others that we share as well. Reasonable people with good intentions may differ on “how to get there,” but most will agree as to where we ultimately want to go.

We must chart a path at least in our immediate community, through the national anger and divisiveness. Remember, whether you have staked out ground on the left, the right, or in the middle – we are all related.

Coming together starts at home and in our own neighborhoods and communities. We must model the values we want to see in the world and we must strive to accept a diversity of opinion based on sound information, offered by reasonable people with good intentions.

I believe that good people, ethical people of high integrity, can look at the same facts and the same circumstances and come to different conclusions.

But to be absolutely clear – there is no room, no space, and no forgiveness for bigotry and violence. None. We do not agree to disagree on these points.

And those who cross the line must be held accountable.

Gary Hooser
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Hawaii Legislative Session Begins January 20th

It’s been a roller-coaster of a year, and from small kid time until today – I have never liked roller-coasters. Whether it be at the E.K. Fernandez Show’s weekend carnival or at Disneyland, roller-coasters were never my cup of tea. Thank goodness this one seems to be winding to a close. While still a long way from being over, at least the ride seems to have slowed somewhat, the twists and turns have leveled out, and the end of the craziness seems to be approaching.

2020 has been a double-stress-whammy with the virus threatening our health, and political discord threatening our Democracy.

Fortunately, this extraordinary year is coming to a close on both of these fronts.  Many good things of a positive and hopeful nature are happening now, “as we speak” (or as we Zoom which may be the case).

The people have spoken and voted. Through a clear and unequivocal majority, Joe Biden has won the election to be President of the United States. I am hopeful and confident that the minority who supported the other candidate and the majority that prevailed, will both now tone down the divisive rhetoric and turn their common energy and attention toward creating a more positive future for all.

Let’s find our common ground, and then leverage it.

While the pandemic continues to rage across the planet, we are ending the year with multiple vaccines being distributed to our most vulnerable and most at-risk populations. Within a few short months, by spring or early summer, the majority of us will have had the opportunity to be vaccinated and thus protected from the virus. I’m not sure what the death knell of a pandemic drawing its final breath sounds like, but I think we’re starting to hear it.

When it’s my turn, you can be sure I will be rolling up my sleeve without hesitation. As a child, I was vaccinated for measles, mumps, and other illnesses. As an adult now in the prime of my life I have also been vaccinated for flu and pneumonia. These are the choices I’ve made for myself and my family, and I’m hopeful that a great majority in our community will do the same.

It’s a trifecta of good news really. We have a new President, multiple new vaccines, and finally, the COVID Economic Stimulus package has been approved and the checks are literally in the mail!

Did you hear that?  Am pretty sure I heard my mother at this very moment shouting out from her home on the continent, a hearty “Praise the Lord!”

And not a moment too soon. People are hurting bad.

It’s all fine and dandy to be happy about a new President and the unveiling of new vaccines, but when you can’t afford rent, you’ve been unemployed now for months, or your business is crashing down around you – the political bickering is exacerbating and the extra money is needed now.. 

Another strong dose of good news coming out of Governor Ige’s office is his announcement that the public-worker furloughs are being postponed indefinitely. 

It’s good to end the year with hope and positivity. While we still have a ways to go, it looks like this roller-coaster may very well be ending soon and there is in fact light at the end of the tunnel. 

Best wishes to all.  Please do what you can and reach out to help those less fortunate. Say hello to your neighbors, find someone of the opposite political persuasion and talk about food, or the weather, or the children or grandchildren. Tell your friends and family how much you appreciate them. 

Stay safe. Don’t let your guard down, please.  Not yet.