GaryHooser's Blog

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami should be commended for his leadership in guiding Kauai County through these past very difficult few weeks. His daily updates have provided a calm, consistent and reassuring message that appropriate measures are being put into place to limit the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While I initially wondered about the evening curfew that was put into place, I understand the importance of sending an early message to visitors and residents of the need to stay home. The closing of the farmers’ markets also have raised questions, but I know clearly that these decisions were not undertaken lightly and are constantly under review.

I especially appreciate our Mayor has not overtly criticized or publicly “piled on” Governor Ige, second-guessing as to whether or not his decision-making has been aggressive enough. Whether or not such criticism is deserved, there is a point when this type of conversation is not helpful and in fact, is counter-productive. I believe that we crossed this point a few days ago.

Moving forward is where our collective energy should be focussed. What do we do next?

A huge infusion of economic support is coming very soon to local residents and businesses. The State Department of Labor is working 24/7 to manage the influx of unemployment insurance requests and has announced all applications will be “backdated” to compensate for the temporary system breakdown, which has been so frustrating for so many.

Contained within the multiple economic stimulus packages being passed by the U.S. Congress are measures to increase both the amount of the weekly unemployment benefit and the length of time the benefits will be paid. There will also be direct cash payments deposited into almost everyone’s bank account. While the exact amount has not yet been determined, it’s without a doubt that a cash infusion to individuals and families, will soon be on its way.

For those who have recently lost their jobs, the help and the money cannot come fast enough.

Everyone is in the same boat. From newly unemployed individuals renting a single room in a house, to now closed large retail stores renting huge commercial space in shopping centers. Everyone is either paying rent or mortgage payments, and those receiving the rent and mortgage payments are all likewise using those funds to pay their bills.

The economic circle of debt and dependence is locked in, and the result is complete interdependence. In a disaster such as this, no-one can afford to foreclose or evict as there is no-one to replace that income stream. Consequently, there will be many measures in place to limit or block foreclosures and evictions. After all, they can’t foreclose and evict all of us!

The truth is the economic disruption while severe and extremely disruptive is temporary. The heartbreaking reality for those perhaps already stretched to their limit before the arrival of Covid-19 is that even if temporary, they will get pushed over the edge and lose everything. But for most of us, I believe we are in the midst of temporary hardship. An incredibly stressful hardship, but temporary – and necessary for the greater good.

For what it’s worth, I believe the worse will be over relatively soon. Approximately 3 months after the first outbreak, new cases of Covid-19 in China have been dropping slowly but steadily over the past few weeks. Restaurants in the hardest-hit areas are starting to reopen and economic activity is slowly restarting.

Following this pattern, we should likewise be turning the corner in 3 months or so. At some point, the hotels, restaurants and related businesses will then gradually start reopening. Airlines will begin reinstating previously canceled flights and our local economy will start climbing back to health. The economic recovery will take some time, but a year from now will feel much more like normal, than the uncertainty and stress we are all feeling now.

While no one can accurately predict what will come next, we can do our best to create the future we want for ourselves. We can and should be redoubling our efforts to achieve true food self-sufficiency. Likewise, it’s way past time to make economic diversification a reality and not just a buzz word. And during the coming blur of actions and activity that accompany all disasters and the subsequent rush to recovery, we must always remember three things: This too shall pass, the sun always comes up the next day and we are all in this together.

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From Donna Wong, Hawaii 1,000 Friends – “While citing the need to take all precautions to prevent Coronavirus-19 from spreading, which I agree is critical the Governor in his Supplemental Proclamation has suspended HRS 91 Sunshine Law, HRS 92 Public agency meetings and records, HRS 92F Uniform Information Practices Act, HRS 343 EIS, HRS 171 Public lands, management and disposition, 2HRS 205 Land Use Commission, and HRS 205A Coastal Zone Management until May 15.

No explanation is given as to why environmental and planning laws 343, 205 and 205A, and 171 are suspended during this HEALTH emergency.

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Today is my 6th day of voluntary self-isolation. I am not sick, have no symptoms of any kind and to my knowledge, I have not been exposed to Covid-19. I’m staying home because it seems like the right thing to do, and because as a person of relative privilege, I can.

Technically I am in the high-risk category due to being over 65 (just barely). Importantly, I have a history of respiratory issues. My birth father, who was a heavy smoker, died from complications relating to emphysema before he reached the age of 60. Every few years I contract chronic bronchitis, walking pneumonia or other similar type lung ailments.

Further complicating my situation and decision-making is the fact that my wife Claudette works in Lihue as a customer services agent for United Airlines. She is in contact daily with hundreds of travelers from throughout the world traveling to and from Kauai.

So while I am a high-risk potential victim of Covid-19, Claudette is a high-risk potential transmitter.

No, my self-isolation does not include staying away from my wife. However, because of the dual high-risk nature of our situation, it makes sense for me to stay home.

I made a trip to the bank yesterday stopping briefly at the 7-11 to buy a small container of half and half, consciously practicing appropriate social distancing the entire time. Beyond that I’ve remained at home, on the computer mostly, catching up on correspondence while compulsively watching the news and monitoring social media.

I am missing my 3-year-old grandson Rixon, terribly. He lives only a short distance away but I am torn as to whether the “social distancing” thing and the “dual high risk” situation mean that the responsible thing for me to do is also stay away from him, my son Dylan and daughter-in-law Leeona.

My daughter Kelli-Rose, her husband Justin and granddaughter Isabella, are presently in Japan where they await transfer to New Jersey. That separation is unavoidable and so easier to accept. But consciously choosing not to visit and hug little Rixon, is a tough pill to swallow (no pun intended).

A few days ago, my self-isolation resolve was at its breaking point and I made a decision to drive to Koloa for a visit, and yes, a likely hug. But the rains descended upon our island and driving through the storm did not make sense.

The question still plagues me though (still yet another unintended pun). Is the fear, the reality, and the risk actually so significant that I must stay away from those I love? gh

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What does this mean?

Read the Civil Beat piece “Hawaii legislature to suspend session amid coronavirus fears”

For advocates and those tracking, supporting and opposing various legislative measures, the short answer is that everything is on hold. There will be no hearings, no floor sessions and no votes taken until such time that the Speaker of the House and Senate President agree to reopen the session. When this happens new hearing notices will be posted but until then all bills are essentially “frozen” in place.

House/Senate leadership has indicated the session may be on hold for up to 8 weeks but also could be reconvened during this period for emergency purposes.

Apparently, the governor has sufficient legal authority to fund emergency services and programs and does not need legislative approvals.

During this time I would expect legislators and staff to continue working on various bills – negotiating with proponents and opponents, developing amendments, refining language, etc.

My hope is that legislators will also use this time to fully develop and accelerate the implementation of HB1153 SD2 RELATING TO REMOTE TESTIMONY IN LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS. This measure, in my opinion, should be made an urgent priority.

In addition, I am hopeful that legislators will make it an urgent priority to meet with local farmers and develop and pass measures directly connected to increasing local food production. Now more than ever, Hawaii needs to take bold steps toward self-reliance.

There are plenty of “legislative vehicles” already in the system to utilize for this purpose. And no, this urgency should not be used by corporate agriculture to make a “water grab” or otherwise take advantage of the situation to avoid health and safety regulations, or otherwise feather their own nests. We need to support local food production for local food consumption – not GMO test fields or corn grown for high fructose corn syrup, etc.

To be sure, though the session is not in session…the work goes on.

Full disclosure: Though I am Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, this column is not written for or on behalf of the Democratic Party of Hawaii – but is my personal and individual voice only.

My initial inclination today is to write about how a majority of Hawaii State Legislators profess to be Democrats and are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, but do not support the priorities of the Party. I am speaking of course on their failure to pass a living wage measure or even $15 per hour.

But readers will have to wait a bit more for that discussion. I have learned not to write when I am angry, or incredibly disappointed.

And of course, the Covid-19 pandemic is consuming all of our energy at the moment.

Today’s topic is the upcoming Democratic Party of Hawaii’s Presidential Preference Poll, or put another way Hawaii’s Presidential Primary.

If you are a Hawaii registered Democrat you should have already been mailed a ballot, or you will be getting one shortly.

YOU NEED TO MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT – ASAP

Please. If you have gotten the ballot in the mail, complete the information and send it back in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope today!

If you have not yet gotten a ballot in the mail and you are a Democrat or think you are a Democrat or want to be a Democrat, read on.

DUE TO COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, ON-SITE VOTING HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND A 3RD ROUND OF BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED;

To BE INCLUDED IN THIS 3RD AND FINAL MAILING, YOU MUDT REGISTER AND ENROLL BY THE END OF THE DAY, TODAY APRIL 4th, 2020

Many residents think they are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, simply because they normally vote for a Democrat in regular primary elections.

This is not the case – You have to actually go to the Democratic Party of Hawaii Website and sign up to be a member of the Party to be considered a Registered Democrat and thus qualify to vote in the Hawaii Democratic Presidential Preference Poll.

All the info to join the Democratic Party of Hawaii is here:
https://secure.ngpvan.com/E_vyVj97Wke7zO27VmppSg2

Register to vote here: https://olvr.hawaii.gov

The Democratic Party of Hawaii 2020 Presidential Preference Poll will be ENTIRELY by mail-in ballots.

To participate, residents have to be both registered to vote in the State of Hawaii AND be registered members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

If you are not sure if you are a member of the Democratic Party of Hawaii or not, I strongly encourage you to go to the website and join BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY TODAY APRIL 4TH. If you have not received a ballot, then it is likely that for whatever reason you are not showing up on the Party membership list – so again please visit the Party’s website and JOIN the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Final point: If I am not pleased with the actions of the majority of Democrats serving in the Hawaii legislature, why am I encouraging you to join the Party? The answer is that I hope you will then join me in helping to change that unfortunate dynamic. The Democratic Party of Hawaii has an excellent platform with core values that put people and the planet first. We just need more Democrats to join the Party, get involved and more strongly encourage our elected officials to act and vote like Democrats.

Have you noticed the political awakening sweeping across Hawaiʻi?

Communities on every island are organizing to make their voices heard by government. Direct-action protests are popping up on different islands. More Hawaiʻi residents are registering to vote.

Exciting new candidates are throwing their hats in the ring and running for public office.

People are entering the civic arena for a reason. They feel the status quo isn’t working. Many families in Hawaiʻi cannot make ends meet. Our natural resources are in peril. Our government is simply not delivering the kind of bold reforms needed.

2020 KULEANA ACADEMY: ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF INEQUITY – NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
http://www.hapahi.org/kuleana-academy

It is no coincidence that the Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) leadership training program, Kuleana Academy, received a record number of applications during 2019.

Now, due to the generosity of many in the community who share our frustration at the slow pace of change, HAPA is excited to announce the 2020 Kuleana Academy!

Clearly, a growing number of our residents see that our current system is broken, and want to fix it. The Kuleana Academy provides them with the tools they need to do so.

As graduates run for office, or lead campaigns serving the public good, they hit the ground running to restore humanity to public policy. Two of our alumni are now lawmakers serving in the State House of Representatives, three on the Maui County Council, and seven have been elected to neighborhood boards on Oʻahu. Dozens more are grassroots organizers and policy advocates.

If you share our values of putting people and the planet first, are interested in running for public office, in supporting others who share those values to run, or otherwise want to increase your leadership skills in the public policy arena – Check out the Kuleana Academy (and watch the short video)! http://www.hapahi.org/kuleana-academy

In solidarity,

Gary Hooser http://www.garyhooser.com
Volunteer Board President
Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA)

Note: For other interesting reads on related topics, please check out these “quick reads” on The Hooser Blog:

“A new candidates guide to running for office”

A new candidates guide to running for office

“Turning Marchers Into Voters – learning from the revolution of ’54’”

Turning marchers into voters, learning from the revolution of ’54

“Corporatists masquerading as Democrats attempting to cloak themselves as centrists”

Corporatists masquerading as Democrats, attempting to cloak themselves as Centrists

NOTE 2: Please encourage your networks to subscribe to my regular “Policy and Politics” email list – by going here to subscribe: http://garyhooser.com/#four

Final Note: HAPA’s Kuleana Academy is not an electoral activity; it is a non-partisan educational program. HAPA and Kuleana Academy will not:

* endorse any political candidates for public office.

* make any campaign contributions (monetary or in-kind).

* ask candidates to sign pledges on any issues.

https://mailchi.mp/garyhooser/announcing-2020-kuleana-academy-candidateleadership-training

June 2nd is the deadline for candidates to file for public office and August 8th is the date of Hawai’i’s primary election.

There will be at least 63 open seats in the Hawaii State House and Senate.

While political pundit types will count seats now held by incumbents as “occupied” and thus be inclined to say that the only “open” seats are those without an incumbent, the writers of our constitution clearly did not intend this to be the case.

Just because an individual is sitting in the seat does not mean they own it.

Competition is a good thing and our community benefits from “contested elections” that force incumbents and challengers alike to work for the community’s support and vote. Incumbents should be asked to explain their accomplishments and their lack of accomplishments. Challengers must explain and convince the voter of their ideas, energy, ability, and commitment.

This is the time when voters must ask the tough but obvious questions.

Is traffic better or worse than it was when the incumbent was first elected? What will the challenger do differently to address this long-neglected situation?

Is Housing more affordable or less affordable than it was when the incumbent was first elected? Again, what are the challenger’s ideas?

How often has the incumbent held community meetings to hear personally and directly the needs, thoughts, and concerns of the community? Note: A mailed survey, cookbooks, and fancy brochures do not replace a genuine community meeting.

Unfortunately too often there is no challenger to choose from. Too often the incumbent gets a free pass while the voter gets shortchanged.

Many good potential candidates sit on the sidelines often locked by indecision, not knowing where to begin or what it actually takes to be elected and to serve.

I’m writing today to tell you it’s not that complicated, and that our community needs you. I’m also writing to let you know that serving in public office can be incredibly fulfilling and does not have to be the so-called “thankless job” that many allude to.

The steps to running for election to public office are the same, regardless of what office you choose. The below is a somewhat oversimplification (but not really).

*Answer the question “Why are you running?”

*Assemble a small team of two or three volunteers who will help you manage your campaign – A treasurer accountant type who can help manage the campaign bookkeeping and a campaign manager type who you can consult with and bounce ideas off.

*File an “organizational report” with the campaign spending commission. This is required before you can raise or spend any money on a campaign.

*Open a bank account for the campaign

*Ask 20 friends to contribute $50 or more to your campaign. Note: If you can’t do this, you should stop now. While you don’t need a zillion dollars to run and win, you do need to raise money for basic campaign materials. A credible House or Council race will require at least $35,000 (yard signs, banners, mailers, brochures, t-shirts etc) but these funds are not needed immediately and if you’re a credible candidate, willing to do the work and willing to reach out to others for help – the funding support will follow.

*Design and print a postcard type “walking piece” and a campaign business card. Keep it simple. The first printing should be just a few hundred pieces, enough to get started.

*Head on down to the County Office of Elections and “pull papers”. These are the forms needed to actually file to run for office. Bring a diverse group of family and friends with you. Take pictures, issue a press release, post on social media. Celebrate the huge step you are taking. Get the buzz going.

*Start knocking on doors and handing out your campaign materials. Everywhere you go, every person you meet- give them your campaign card.

*Work with your campaign team. Analyze your district. Figure out what is important to the voters in your district.

*Listen to the voters. Don’t tell them what’s important to you until after you find out what’s important to them.

*Do not worry about having big events. Host one such event possibly just before election day but FOCUS ON THE BASICS – Hold signs in the morning and knock on doors in the afternoon. REPEAT. REPEAT. REPEAT.

*You must be willing to ask people for help. You must be able to ask people for money. If you believe in yourself and in the purpose and mission of your campaign, you should be able to enthusiastically share that message with people when you ask for their help, support, and money.

Be yourself. Have fun. Smile. Speak from the heart. Do your homework. Listen to people.

I suggest you start now. There is a lot of work to do.

Drinking from a fire hose, blind-folded with both arms tied behind your back. This is a description that comes to mind when folks ask me to describe what it’s like working in the legislative arena as an advocate.

The need for citizen advocacy is great. The urgency of the moment for our community, and for the planet – is palpable.

The task is daunting at best and I applaud the many across all islands who take the time to enter this arena daily during the annual legislative session (mid-January to the first week in May), and throughout the year at the local and national level.

I have been blessed really. Representing Kauai in the Hawaii State Senate for 8 years (4 as Majority Leader), was an invaluable and incredibly fulfilling experience. Serving on the Kauai County Council for 8 years, likewise provided me with an opportunity to make a difference and a comprehensive education as to the workings (or not) of local government. The time I spent working with Governor Abercrombie as Director of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) gave me additional experience from an administrative perspective. For all three opportunities, I am deeply grateful and the experience gained was both valuable and incredibly fulfilling.

Having spent nearly 20 years working on the “inside”, I now spend my hours on the outside, working with grassroots advocacy groups and individuals. Today, while also doing occasional consulting work, my life is mostly spent sharing my experience as a volunteer advocate, helping to train and support other policy advocates.

In the legislative world, most will have a “subject matter focus” and the people and organizations with whom I work primarily focus on issues pertaining to environmental, economic and social justice.

A healthy democracy requires an informed and engaged citizenry. Unfortunately, our democracy on both the local, state and national levels – is not healthy.

For evidence of our democracy in decay, one need only look at the enormous gap between the ultra-rich and the vast majority of people who slave away at multiple jobs earning just barely enough to get by.

If more evidence is needed, take a walk in the mountains or along the coast. There you will see our dead and dying streams, and our shorelines littered with plastics.

Anyone still not convinced of the decline should look into our criminal justice (or rather injustice) system – half the people in jail today are poor people awaiting trial because they cannot afford bail. Many of our incarcerated are there as a result of “victimless crimes” such as drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness (yes, in much of Hawaii being homeless is a crime). Rich people and corporations don’t go to jail, they simply pay their fines and hire expensive lawyers.

The answer of course and the solution to this madness is that citizens must take responsibility and ownership of our policy, our politics and ultimately our government. Abandoning the control and decision-making to those who are elected, without our active involvement as citizens, is an abdication of our personal responsibility as human beings.

We are responsible for the condition of the world and we cannot simply blame the politicians.

Yes, we are busy. But too bad, too sad – you will get no sympathy from me. I also am busy and have children and grandchildren and bills to pay and a yard to mow, and plenty of stuff to do – other than sending in testimony, following the process or meeting with my elected representative

The world is literally burning. Every year there are less fish in the ocean. Instances of various illnesses attributed to environmental causes (cancer, autism, etc) are growing at alarming levels, and our friends and neighbors are increasingly living under blue tarps, sleeping on pallets and under bridges. There but for the grace of God go each of us.

People slave away at starvation wages as a result of a conscious public policy decision to keep our minimum wage below that which is needed for a human to survive. Our own government has determined that $17 per hour is a “substance wage” for a single person working 40 hours a week. Our State legislature has decided that $10.10 per hour is sufficient. While legislators themselves will be getting their raises they continue to refuse to increase that of those at the very bottom of the economic ladder. Let them eat cake is the message sent.

The “affordable housing” public policy solutions (bills) being presented now at the legislature are essentially a collection of “giveaways to developers and landowners”.

The solutions being offered are “developer incentives” that reduce environmental protections, make development permits “automatic” and increase the urbanization of agricultural lands. In return for these government concessions (read public giveaways), the developers must promise that at least 50% of the homes they build will be sold for approximately $800,000 or less, targeting people who earn 140% of the median income in Hawaii. This is what our policymakers consider “affordable”.

Deliberate public policy decisions are responsible also for stream diversions and the subsequent killing of our mountain streams, caused by large agribusiness and others. Rather than pass and enforce public policy that says sufficient water must remain in the stream to keep it alive and allow downstream users to also use the water – public policymakers too often yield to big money and big landowners who simply want to “bank” as much water as they can for as long as they can.

The present challenges facing our local, state and national community are the result of conscious public policy decisions made by policymakers over time. As citizens, we have the power and the responsibility to affect those policy changes to the benefit of people and the planet. We can collectively change things for the better if we collectively take our responsibility seriously and invest the time and energy needed.

Voting is important but it is not enough. Full participation in our government requires becoming educated on the issues and the process, offering testimony via email or in person, and speaking out in public forums. It also requires people to put their names forward to serve on boards and commissions, to run for election to public office, and to help others campaign and win an election.

I encourage all to think about the options and to take action.

“Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom, decency, and justice.” Robert F. Kennedy

The news is finally coming out of Iowa!  Well, not really.  I’m guessing it will be several more days before the final, final, final results are announced.

Full disclosure: Though I am Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i, this column is not written for or on behalf of the Hawai’i Democratic Party – but is my personal and individual voice only.  

Note: I could write here also about the Hawai’i Republican Party process to select their Presidential Candidate, but they have canceled it for 2020, preferring to maintain their support for the recently impeached (but yes, acquitted), incumbent.

The reality in Hawai’i is that our government is dominated by elected officials at all levels who are members of the Democratic Party.  Conventional wisdom says that you must be a Democrat to win here in a state legislative race.  This results in the status quo with many, some would say a majority who are “DINO’s” (Democrats in name only). But that story is for another time.

Back to Iowa.

Those that follow the news, know that Iowa’s presidential caucus process was a mess, a veritable debacle as many are calling it.

Hawai’i Democrats will be taking our turn at the “presidential primary/caucus/preference-poll” event – on April 4th – via a different process.

If you are a registered Democrat you will be mailed a ballot and you will be allowed to vote in Hawaii’s Presidential Preference Poll, choosing between up to a dozen Democratic candidates who have been campaigning across the United States for the past 12 months or longer.

Many residents think they are Democrats simply because they normally vote in the regular Democratic primary elections.  This is not the case – You have to actually go to the Democratic Party of Hawaii Website and sign up to be a member of the Party to be considered a Registered Democrat and thus qualify to vote in the April 4th, Hawaii Presidential Preference Poll.

All the info to join the Hawai’i Democratic Party is here: https://hawaiidemocrats.org

Register to vote here: https://olvr.hawaii.gov

The Democratic Party process in 2020 will be by mail-in ballots, with a limited number of polling stations open on the final day -April 4th.

To participate in the first round, residents have to be both registered to vote in the State of Hawaii AND be registered members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii – by February 18.

The second round of ballots will be mailed to those who register after Feb. 18th and prior to March 8th.

While people can also register to vote, enroll with the party and vote in person on April 4, polling locations will be limited and thus people are strongly encouraged to vote early and vote by mail.

Those who are not sure if they are a member of the Party, or have moved during the past year, are encouraged to register again just in case.

In order to avoid the fiasco that was Iowa, Hawai’i residents who intend to participate in the Democratic Party of Hawai’i Presidential Preference Poll (presidential primary) must become informed and share the info with friends and family.

1. The Democratic Party of Hawai’i Presidential Preference Poll will be conducted mostly by direct mail.
2. To participate residents must be registered to vote in the State of Hawai’i and must be actual members of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i (not just people who normally vote democrat).
3. People that are registered Democrats by February 18th, will receive their ballots in the mail first.
4. Those that register late but before March 8th will receive their ballots also in the mail during the second mailing.
5. For everyone else, there will be limited polling places available for “walk-in” voting (and registering) on the final day of April 4th.
6. This election will feature “ranked-choice voting” allowing voters to list their preferred candidates from 1 – 3.

So please, let’s avoid Iowa.  Register to vote and register with the Democratic Party of Hawai’i now, before February 18th – then vote by mail early.  That is if you want to participate in our democracy and help choose the next president of the United States of America.