GaryHooser's Blog

Given the current instability surrounding future federal funding of public schools, parks, university, medical services, and other vital programs, it’s completely inappropriate for Hawaiʻi legislators to accept the generous 35% to 48% pay raises proposed by the Salary Commission.
 
Each rank-and-file state legislator presently receives a $74,160 salary for the honor of serving as a part-time public servant. Legislators work only five months per year on a full-time basis, and as much (or as little) as they choose during the OTHER seven months of the year.
 
Per the US Census’ American Community Survey (ACS), the median salary for FULL-TIME workers in Hawaiʻi is $60,680. Other data sources report similar figures.
 
So, half of Hawaiʻi FULL-TIME workers earn $60,580 or less, while PART-TIME legislators now earn $74,160, AND they’ll be getting raises of 35% to 48% — unless they take action now and vote to reject that raise. 
 
Legislators may also collect a state retirement pension after only 10 years of service, AND Neighbor Island legislators are paid an additional $225 per day during the 4 months of session; they’re not required to show actual expense receipts for this generous per diem allowance.

The decision to reject these pay raises would also prohibit the Governor’s office and Judiciary branch from receiving their pay increases recommended by the same Salary Commission.
 
It goes without saying that legislators, judges, and government executives should NOT be doing this work with expectations of big salaries. This work, after all, is public service. 
 
Our legislature is faced with a decision: Either do nothing –thereby accepting the Salary Commission’s recommended pay raises without a vote — or “put the issue on the table,” which will mean holding public hearings and a public vote.
 
All indications point to the path of least resistance. They’ll likely keep their heads down and not hold any hearings or take any votes.
 
If pressed today on this matter, most legislators will point to the short time remaining in the legislative session. “It’s too late!” they’ll claim. “We don’t have time for the hearings necessary to reject the pay raises.”
 
Here’s the truth: Legislative rules could be waived, hearings could be held, and the session could be extended if needed.
 
Obviously, legislative leadership wants to avoid a public vote on this.
 
Why? Because a public hearing would overflow with furious residents asking angry questions and demanding justification. “You people want a RAISE when the federal government is firing park rangers, cutting school budgets, and denying states emergency funds???”
 
To be clear, there’s never a good time for politicians to give themselves a pay raise, either directly or indirectly.
 
But it’s hard to imagine a worse time than NOW.  
 
President Trump and DOGE have been slashing and burning through almost every federal program on the books. Federal dollars that poured into Hawaiʻi public programs are being drastically reduced. We have an affordable housing crisis; we have families begging for help with school lunches and affordable early childhood programs; there are people sleeping under bridges… 
 
“And you folks want a RAISE???”
 
Of course, the legislature could step up to the plate. They could actually begin working full-time, 12 months per year, and forgo their lucrative outside jobs. They could do any number of things to demonstrate the extra work they’d do to earn those raises — but so far, they haven’t.
 
No, it’s definitely not a good time to be giving yourself a raise. 
 
Failing to hold a hearing, to have a public discussion, and to publicly vote on the issue does NOT give you cover to say, “But I didn’t actually give myself a raise”. 
 
Please don’t insult us. We know how these things work.

Gary Hooser
former State Senator
former Councilmember
retired and trying my best to shine a light, and make some good trouble along the way

“Gary, you broke my heart! That was cruel!”

This was just one of many messages I received after last week’s column (“Breaking news: Hawaii legislators reject pay raise, call for special session!”)

Other messages contained celebratory emojis and comments that made it clear the reader had not read my piece through to the end.

Clearly, some did not understand it was a spoof — a not-so-funny April Fools’ Day joke gone awry.

Some were angry at being fooled, and responded with messages reading “NOT FUNNY!”

While the great majority “got it,” many did not.

So, to make absolutely clear: The Hawaii House and Senate have, unfortunately, NOT rejected the generous 35% to 48% pay raises proposed by the Salary Commission.

They also have NOT agreed to begin meeting year-round, nor have they announced a Special Session to proactively deal with federal funding cuts impacting health care and public education.

Food and energy self-sufficiency have NOT been called out as top priorities. Legislative leadership does NOT seem particularly concerned about the mysterious $35,000 paid to a still-unknown “influential legislator” (per Civil Beat’s ongoing “Pay to Play” investigative reporting).

Unfortunately, there haven’t been any joint statements from the State House and Senate declaring Hawaii’s support for the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; nor have our lawmakers offered any official support ensuring each person’s right to “due process” under the law, as provided by the U.S. Constitution.

What I wrote last week was, essentially, a “field of dreams” — a short list of meaningful actions the legislature could take, if only it collectively had the political will to do so.

The lesson I learned from this “April Fools” joke gone awry, is a profound one.

It seems that most readers – even those who appear, on the surface, to be cynical about politics and politicians – desperately want and need to believe in the government leaders they’ve elected to serve in public office.

Consequently, many were hugely disappointed when I revealed, at the end of my column, that it was all a bad joke. The leaders they wanted and needed so badly to believe in, the leaders they trusted to take us through these turbulent times, had once again fallen short.

I sincerely apologize to those of you whose hopes were raised so very high, and then dashed upon the rocks.

Those 600 words that I wrote on April 1 were intended to educate and inform readers of the tremendous potential as yet unfulfilled by our state legislature.

The good news: THERE’S STILL TIME. The legislative session is scheduled to end on May 2 sine die, without a definite date or period to resume. This gives us three solid weeks to push for the best outcome possible.

So I implore all of you — cynics and hopeful optimists alike — to reach out and contact your district State Representatives and Senators. Share with them, even if just briefly, your expectations and hopes.

If you believe, as I do, that this is an incredibly bad time for them to accept a 35% to 48% pay raise, please let them know.

Likewise, please share with them your thoughts on political corruption and the “pay to play” culture that seems to permeate our government.

Most of all, please impress upon them the need to support our public schools, Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security and the VA, and the many other critically important programs being defunded by the Trump administration.

Remind them it is their job to lead, and that you are counting on them to do so.

Have you ever raised hell when you’ve been asked to accept the unacceptable?

Make the calls. Send the emails.

Locate the contact info for your district State Representative and Senator here on the Capitol Website.

Or, here is the contact for every State Representative and every State Senator.

Please also email:
Senate President Ronald Kouchi senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov
House Speaker Nadine Nakamura repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Mahalo for taking action!

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
@garyhooserblog.bsky.social
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy & Politics – Hawai’i and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

In an extraordinary joint statement, House/Senate Leadership this morning announced the following:

“Given the current instability surrounding future federal funding of our schools, parks, university, medical services, and other vital programs – we believe it’s inappropriate to accept the generous 35% to 48% pay raises proposed by the Salary Commission.

We’re thankful for the generous $74,160 salary already granted to each of us for the honor of serving as part-time legislators. We’re also grateful we can collect a state retirement pension after only 10 years of service, and for the $225 per day extra per diem neighbor-islanders receive during our 4 months of service.

The decision to reject these pay raises, also prohibits the Governor’s office and Judiciary branch from receiving pay increases, and we ask for their support and patience in getting through these difficult times.

It goes without saying that none of us, legislator, judge, or executive – are doing this work for the money, but rather for the opportunity to do good in our community.

Our primary goal is to strengthen peoples faith and confidence in government, and to support and protect our Hawaii home.”

With this in mind, we’re also proposing the following:

Legislative Committees will begin meeting year-round, focusing on priority issues, holding hearings, and refining proposed legislation – in expectation of presenting them to the full legislature for final amendments and votes, as soon as the 2026 session is called to order. https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/03/we-should-insist-on-full-time-work-from-legislators-for-full-time-pay/

A Special Session will be convened in August, for the purpose of proactively dealing with federal funding cuts impacting vital state services, as well as the below items.
Ensure funding to maintain all services and programs within the Hawaii public education system.

Ensure food and energy self-sufficiency efforts are maximized.

Aggressively target the goal of economic diversification and reduce Hawaii’s current dependence on Tourism and Military spending. This includes strengthening environmental protections pertaining to both industries, and a moratorium on new military leases.

Declare Hawaii a place that supports the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Pass a Resolution/Bill ensuring every person, immigrant and citizen alike, is entitled to and receives “due process” under the law as provided by the U.S. Constitution.

Via a new tax on civilian military contractors doing business in Hawaii, we must reverse the recently announced federal de-funding of the University of Hawaii Spark Matsunaga Peace Institute, and strengthen its role as a global leader of peace and reconciliation.

Reduce government corruption and end “pay to play”.

*Pass into law a requirement that any government employee (including legislators and executives) aware of corrupt or fraudulent actions within their workplace, must report that activity immediately (with anonymity protection), or be guilty of a crime themselves of withholding such information.

* Pass a phased in and properly funded “Clean Elections” program.

* Develop and pass legislation targeting “SuperPacs and dark money”. Make it difficult, expensive, and ineffective for dark money SuperPacs to influence elections.

* Prohibit campaign funds from being transferred from one candidates campaign to another. Ban government contractors and related persons from making campaign contributions.

“Roll back” the 2024 tax cuts on high income earners. Increase the conveyance tax on high-end properties, second homes and vacation rentals. Increase the Transient Accommodations Tax (exempting travelers from Canada, Greenland and Denmark), AND implement tourism “user fees”.

Wow! Unbelievable.

The conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh would say,“Well, it could be true.”

But it’s not. It’s a bad April Fools joke, that’s not funny at all.

It’s not a joke.

It’s a dream we should all work toward, fight for, and demand our legislators make a reality.

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
@garyhooserblog.bsky.social
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

As a former: Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader, Councilmember, Vice-Chair of the State Democratic Party, and member of the DNC – I like to believe my thinking, writing and political commentary is informed and on point.

I hope I’m wrong on this one, but I’ve got to say it out loud.

In less than 90 days our Democracy has dissolved before our eyes.

This is not hyperbole.

Our 3 separate but equal branches of government, designed specifically by the drafters of the constitution to prevent the rise of dictatorships – are separate and equal no more.

This is inarguable.

The Trump/Musk/Vance triumvirate continue to ignore and defy the courts. A majority in Congress cower in fear of Elon Musk and the billions he will use against them in their next election.

A few days ago, we saw the President of the United States laughing and high-fiving with the “cool dictator” from El Salvador. The same dictator we are paying $6 million to run our concentration camps.

A few weeks ago, we watched the top leaders in charge of the United States military and national security both foreign and domestic, look directly into the eyes of U.S. Senators and Representatives and spout lie after lie, denying, obfuscating, and gas-lighting, in a desperate attempt to escape accountability for the debacle known now as “Signal Gate”.

Makes me want to throw up.

These are the people who control our nuclear weapons, our battle ships, and fighters jets. They are the ones who decide when to send American troops off to war and when to arrest in the middle of the night those brave souls willing to raise their voices in opposition to that war.

What’s the next step in this still somewhat shaky dictatorship?

What they need and are no doubt planning and hoping for is a “crisis” that distracts us from the craziness.

An international crisis that directly threatened Americans or vital American interests – would ignite their base and justify the continued defiance of the courts, congress and constitution.

It seems clear Israel is now moving to take over Gaza completely and kill anyone standing in the way. The increased U.S. bombing of Yemen, complete with gleefully expressed threats from Trump of “total annihilation” have generated unavoidable retorts from both Yemen and Iran pushing back.

A major international “incident” either foreign or domestic – whether real, fake-news, or false-flag, would give this emerging dictatorship the “emergency power” needed to forgo compliance with court orders, and be the red meat needed to ensure the MAGA base rises up to cheer them on.

Think “Insurrection Act” which is expected to be announced any day and will mean martial law at the border and soon thereafter in our urban centers and universities.

While the train wreck that is America’s future seems unavoidable, it of course doesn’t have to be this way.

Both the Courts and Congress could step up to the plate, give life to the fundamental meaning and purpose of the U.S. constitution, and push back hard against the dictatorship before it further solidifies its power.

Our Governors, Mayors and State Legislatures could likewise stand up against the tyranny.

At some point the military, will have to choose between serving the dictator or serving the constitution. This is inevitable.

And you and I?

We must be there defending and supporting the judges, and our elected government leaders regardless of Party affiliation, who choose a path based on fulfilling their moral, ethical and constitutional responsibilities.

We must march, carry signs, make the calls, send off the letters and email, attend town hall meetings, and continue submitting testimony to our councils and legislature.

We must insist our local government leaders act with integrity, and remind them it is through resistance, not appeasement that dictators are deposed.

And we must stand in solidarity, side by side, with our brothers and sisters being persecuted across the land – providing sanctuary, support, and help whenever we can.

We’re all in this together. We need to hold on and we need to fight back.

There’s a storm coming – and truly a hard rain is gonna fall.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

By Richard Bodien – independent scholar, poet, and painter living in Hāwī, Hawaiʻi

Hawai‘i for Sale—But Not to Hawaiians
For many, Hawai‘i represents paradise—pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and a culture built on aloha. But for corporations and the military-industrial complex, Hawai‘i represents something else entirely: a goldmine to be exploited.

Over the past century, Hawai‘i has transformed from a self-sufficient island kingdom into a corporate playground where profits come first, and local communities come last. The military, multinational corporations, and big tourism have quietly consolidated economic power, pushing out small businesses, pricing locals out of their homes, and turning what was once a thriving Indigenous economy into a service industry built to cater to outsiders.

While Native Hawaiians and longtime residents struggle to survive in their own homeland, corporations and the U.S. military tighten their grip, ensuring that Hawai‘i remains a paradise for the wealthy and a battleground for profit.

So how did we get here? And more importantly—how do we take Hawai‘i back?

Corporate Takeover: From Salvation to Vacations
The exploitation of Hawai‘i’s economy did not happen overnight. It began in the 1800s, when sugar and pineapple barons—many of them descendants of Christian missionaries—seized Native Hawaiian land and converted it into private plantations.

Hawaiian communal land was broken apart through the Great Mahele (1848), allowing corporations to buy massive plots.
Sugar and pineapple dominated the economy, turning local workers into low-wage laborers.
The U.S. illegally overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, with business elites leading the charge.

Fast forward to today, and the methods have changed—but the game remains the same. Now, instead of sugar barons, we have hotel chains, hedge funds, defense contractors, and real estate speculators dictating the rules of Hawai‘i’s economy.

Small Businesses Die
The modern Hawaiian economy is not built for locals—it’s built for corporations. Tourism Giants Dominate the Market. Over 80% of Hawai‘i’s GDP is tied to tourism, but local businesses see little of that wealth. International hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton control beachfront real estate, pushing out local hotels and family-run inns. Corporate developers drive up property values, making it nearly impossible for local businesses to afford rent.

Hawaiians are forced to serve the tourist industry, not participate in it. Small business owners who have operated for generations are slowly disappearing, replaced by luxury resorts, corporate-owned restaurants, and chain retailers that funnel profits out of Hawai‘i and into mainland bank accounts.

Real Estate Takes Over
Investment firms and billionaires buy up homes and convert them into Airbnbs, reducing housing availability for locals. Gentrification, fueled by real estate speculation, forces Native Hawaiian families to leave. Developers lobby against rent control and affordable housing policies, ensuring that real estate remains profitable for investors, not for residents.

With average home prices now averaging over $1,000,000, working-class Hawaiians are being systematically priced out of their own homeland. Meanwhile, corporations and wealthy elites buy, sell, and profit from the land as if it were a commodity, not a cultural inheritance.

The Military’s Economic Dominance
While corporations control much of Hawai‘i’s economy, the U.S. military remains the single largest landholder and economic force in the islands. With nearly 25% of O‘ahu alone under military control, the Pentagon exerts quiet but overwhelming influence over local policies, land use, and labor markets.

The military is Hawai‘i’s second-largest employer, providing over 60,000 jobs—but at the cost of economic dependency. Military contractors, not local businesses, receive the bulk of defense-related spending. Land that could be used for affordable housing or sustainable development remains locked under military control.

And then there’s environmental destruction. The U.S. military’s presence in Hawai‘i has come at a devastating cost. The Red Hill fuel leak contaminated O‘ahu’s water supply, poisoning local families.

Live-fire training exercises have scarred landscapes like Pōhakuloa and Kaho‘olawe, rendering them uninhabitable. Toxic waste from military installations threatens ecosystems, yet accountability remains elusive.

Instead of investing in local industry, education, or sustainability, Hawai‘i has been positioned as America’s “strategic outpost” in the Pacific, with little regard for the well-being of its people.

The Human Cost
What does all this mean for the people who actually live in Hawai’i? Hawai‘i is now one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., yet wages remain low. Hawaiians are expected to serve the wealthy, not build wealth themselves. The very people who built and nurtured these lands are being pushed out in favor of tourism, military interests, and wealthy investors.

This isn’t just economic injustice—it’s colonialism.

Taking Back Hawai’i—Economic Sovereignty
Hawai‘i does not have to remain a corporate and military playground. Change is possible—but it requires shifting power back to the people.

Reclaiming Land and Housing
Implement strict regulations on foreign and corporate real estate ownership.

Expand Native Hawaiian land trusts to restore communal stewardship of land.

Crack down on Airbnb and luxury developments that cater to the wealthy at the expense of locals.

Breaking Tourism Dependency
Invest in sustainable, locally-driven industries such as regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and technology.

Shift tourism profits back into local communities, rather than corporate pockets.

Impose higher taxes on multinational hotel chains and reinvest in public infrastructure.

Holding the Military Accountable
Demand land return from the U.S. military, especially for housing and conservation.

Require military environmental cleanup before further land use.

Diversify Hawai‘i’s economy so it is not dependent on defense spending.

Strengthening Small Businesses and Local Ownership
Provide subsidies and tax incentives for local businesses, not multinational chains.

Protect Hawaiian cultural and traditional industries from corporate exploitation.

Establish worker-owned cooperatives to create community wealth instead of corporate wealth.

Who Controls Hawai‘i’s Future?

For too long, corporations and the military have dictated Hawai‘i’s economy, deciding who gets to live here, who gets to own land, and who gets to profit. But their vision is clear: Hawai‘i as a high-end tourist resort, a military staging ground, and a billionaire’s playground—while everyday residents struggle to make ends meet.

But Hawai‘i should belong to its people, not to hotel chains, Wall Street investors, or the Pentagon. The question is, how long will we allow them to take from us before we take back control?

By Richard Bodien – independent scholar, poet, and painter living in Hāwī, Hawaiʻi. You can find his political writings at http://www.bodien.com/essays

Here’s a link to an accompanying essay. https://bodien.com/essays/f/hawai%CA%BBi%E2%80%99s-future-depends-on-small-business

And another: https://bodien.com/essays/f/why-i-love-bourgeois-capitalism-and-hate-corporate-capitalism

The below is an actual online conversation I had recently – edited for clarity and brevity.

Hello Gary,
I’m a long time resident and business owner.

I’m under the impression since America is seriously overdrawn and it’s not getting better. Mr. Trump and Musk are working on stopping misuse of our tax dollars and dropping programs that frankly aren’t helping America.

Our country has been going in the wrong direction for a long time financially. Making the needed course correction will create lots of discomfort for people and markets. It’s a mess we got ourselves into for sure.

Instead of fighting back and calling for heads to roll we as Americans should work together to root out corruption and misuse of taxpayers dollars.

Thanks Gary, have watched your career and know you care about Kauai and Hawaii in general.
**********************************
Thank you for the note and cordial, respectful tone. We are definitely on opposite ends of the spectrum on this one.

Yes, of course there’s waste fraud and abuse in government- as there is in any and all large organizations. But there are legal, moral, and ethical processes – that should be used to address these issues.

There’s Civil Service rules and regulations, there’s union agreements, there are basic employment laws, and of course there is Congress who established and funded these programs in the first place.

Doge/Musk have chosen to ignore them all.

Determining the value of a program or agency is not within the purview or authority of Musk, but of Congress.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to approach the worthy goal of increasing efficiency and getting rid of waste – and the Doge/Musk/Trump way…is not the way it works in a democracy.

To be absolutely clear, it’s not just the wrecking ball approach to cost cutting I’m in opposition to.

From the dangerous and contradictory manner in which the administration has handled the Ukraine/Russia and Israel/Gaza/Yemen/Jordan and related conflicts, to the trade war and tariffs, the dismantling of the Department of Education, the frivolous nature in which they’re treating Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and so many other critically important programs….It’s clear America is being ruled by a handful of men of privilege, not governed by the democracy outlined in our constitution.

University students and professors legally living in the U.S. are being arrested and jailed simply for expressing their political views.

Now they/we are rounding up people based on the color of their skin and content of their tattoos, shipping them off to some hell-hole in El Salvador – without trial, without due process, and without proof they have committed any crime whatsoever – and not allowed even one frigging phone call.

The Trump/Musk presidency is dangerous for America and for the world.
***********************************
Thanks Gary for your response.

One of my reasons for the way I feel comes from my worldview. I’m a conservative who’s a Christian with a deep seated desire to keep America free and love our constitution. I know this brings big issues between man’s ways and the Bible.

I don’t want to see freedoms and procedures trampled either. As you must know different administrations have tackled the growing budget problem.

No one has had the nerve or willingness to see it through. Yes it’s radical and most definitely out of the box.

I’ve been running a business for over 40 years and if I ran it like the government does I’d be out of work fast!

Seems we’re on opposite sides but I have hope for you, Ha Ha. I’m praying for a good outcome for us all but it’s going to take time till we see how all this flushes out. My best to you Gary, Aloha
**********************************
Mahalo and I’ll conclude here:

I’ve spent 20 years owning and operating small businesses here in the islands myself.

I think you’ll agree, in general most businesses are operated as dictatorships, not constitutional democracies.

That’s the crux of the problem with the argument coming from those who want to run our government like a business.

Our democracy is founded upon the principle of 3 separate but equal branches of government – administrative, legislative, and judicial. The framers of the constitution designed the governing process to balance the power and to keep out dictators.

Our democracy is also founded on the separation of church and state.

Christians, Jews, Hindu’s, Muslims, Buddhist, and atheist…all are equal under the law. The law also prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age.

If you’re unable to accept and embrace these core principles embedded in our constitution…and unwilling to acknowledge the dictatorial governing methods of the Trump/Musk administration are wrong, illegal under our constitution, and harmful to people and the planet — then we will remain on opposite sides.

I cannot agree to disagree on this. The situation is too dire, the risk too great, and the harm to my family and friends is real and tangible.

Yes, I also will work hard and pray for a good outcome that includes a safe and fulfilling future for you and your family as well.

My hope is you and so many others, will come to understand the fundamental differences between our constitutional democracy and the dictatorship being forced upon us by the Trump/Musk regime.

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
New readers – Subscribe at https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

Received an email recently saying, “I’ve a friend who’s considering running for the House, she’s articulate, smart, and community minded. I’m hoping you can meet and possibly support her.”

My first thought was absolutely yes. I’m always open to meeting and talking story with people interested in getting more involved.

My second thought was that big square building on Beretania Street in Honolulu is packed with “articulate, smart, and community minded” go-along-to-get-along corporatists, masquerading as centrists, who’re elected as Democrats. #justsayin

There’s no shortage of legislators, Democrat and Republican alike, who are “articulate, smart, and community minded” and who never, ever raise their hand to challenge – anyone or anything. Nor do many ever initiate serious bold initiatives that will move our community forward.

Where’s the call to action accelerating food, energy, and economic independence? Where are the voices in that big square building demanding the clean-up, restoration and return of the lands at Pohakuloa, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, and Makua?

Why are legislators not voting for a roll-back of the ill-conceived tax cuts passed just one year ago? Why not prepare now for the elimination or reduction of Medicaid and the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) that is surely coming?

I’m thinking we need more than just articulate, smart, and community minded. Much more.

We need forward-thinking fighters, not just politicians who say the right words.

We need articulate smart people serving in public office who toss and turn in their sleep worrying about that family living under the bridge. We need people sitting in those chairs who’re totally committed to protecting our water, forests, oceans, and shorelines.

Positive change will only happen when we collectively work together to make it so – by electing and supporting leaders who will lead.

If you have roots in the community, with some record of leadership and involvement, and if you’re driven to dedicate your time, energy, and focus, toward making our world a better place – I encourage you to consider running for election to public office.

Roots in the community mean Hawaiʻi is your home. We need everyones help but effective candidates must demonstrate a long-term unshakable commitment to the islands.

Having a record of leadership and involvement could come in many forms – student government, in PTSA, community sports, small business, or in nonprofit organizations doing good work in our community.

What are you doing now to help make our world a better place? Do you help clean the beach with Surfrider Foundation? Have you volunteered with the Food Bank, Zero Waste or Big Brothers/Sisters?

Have you worked on the campaigns of others, or submitted testimony to state or county legislative committees?

What keeps you awake at night? What do you care most deeply about?

The 2026 election cycle’s just around the corner. June 2, 2026 is the candidate filing deadline and the primary election is on August 08.

If you’re serious about going down this path, now’s the time to start building your campaigns’ base and infrastructure.

One program offering valuable training for aspiring candidates and others seeking to increase their political leadership skills and effectiveness – is the Kuleana Academy https://www.hapahi.org/k-a

Full disclosure: I’m the former Board President of the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA), a 501c3 nonprofit that created and manages the Kuleana Academy – However I’m no longer actively involved and play no role whatsoever in the program admissions process or management.

Also visit the Office of Elections: https://elections.hawaii.gov/candidates/candidate-filing/

If you feel the same urgency of the moment I do, and if you’re willing to stand up and fight for people and the planet from day 1 – I’d encourage you to go for it.

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
Subscribe https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

It’s not like the Hawai’i Senate is a model of sunshine and good government, but the House of Representatives just keeps stepping in it.

Frankly, the arrogance of the House is embarrassingly unrestrained.

Case In Point – HB772 – Relating To Campaign Finance

HB772 is intended to stop the sham practice of legislators transferring their own campaign funds to other candidates, friends and colleagues (under the guise of purchasing two tickets to a campaign fundraiser).

Example: Candidate W files a required form announcing a fundraiser at a local bar or restaurant with a $250 – $1,000 ticket price. Legislators X, Y, and Z each buy two $1,000 tickets (using their own campaign funds) and voila…candidate W has just raised $6,000. The 4 of them toss back a few beers, perhaps a glass of wine, and pau – “fundraiser” is over.

According to data on file with the Campaign Spending Commission, the total amount transferred by all House campaign committees, from one candidates campaign account to another different candidates campaign account – using the “two ticket purchase scam” during the 2022 and 2024 election cycle was $427,187.

HB772 was “killed” single-handedly by Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita who refused to schedule it for a hearing.

The top incumbent Representative utilizing this fundraising device during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles was Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita. His campaign contributed $46,250 in “fundraising tickets” benefiting 22 of his candidate friends. Remember, 26 is the magic number in the House. With 26 votes you can be Finance Chair, Speaker, or whatever you like.

HB772 was referred to House Finance by Speaker Nadine Nakamura even though it has no impact on the state budget whatsoever – zero, zip, nada.

Speaker Nakamura chose not to refer HB413 and HB371 to Finance even though both involve regulating campaign contributions in other areas (lobbyists and contractors), and both also have zero budget impacts. Only HB772 was doomed to go to Finance whose Chair utilized the targeted provisions more than any other member in the entire House of Representatives.

Next in line among incumbent Representatives “buying fundraiser tickets” is Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama with $44,500 during this same period. Next is Majority Leader Sean Quinlan $19,900, Minority Caucus Leader Gene Ward $19,235, House Speaker Nadine Nakamura $19,150, and Majority Caucus Leader Christopher Todd $17,500 – all of whom are members of House Leadership.

The total amount given in the 2022 and 2024 election periods by the above 6 Representatives, in the form of “two tickets to your fundraiser” = $166,535

The top House beneficiary of the two ticket money transfer game in the 2024 election cycle was (now Representative) Michael Lee who raked in $19,563 from other House members and defeated the incumbent Representative Natalia Hussey-Burdick.

So no, they ain’t gonna pass no stinking bill taking away their ability to help their friends and punish those Representatives who don’t toe the line.

And they ain’t gonna change the rules either.

But they could.

Stay with me please.

Existing House rules say in essence:

1 – The Speaker has “referral” authority over which committees a bill must pass through in order to become law.

2 – Committee Chairs control which bills to schedule.

3 – Bills may be referred to Finance whether or not there’s a budget impact. (HB772 has zero impact)

The below three straight-forward yet systemic rule changes would eliminate the inherent corruption of process now in place – exemplified by the killing of HB772.

1 – “Bill drafting agency staff” independently makes referral recommendations with final referral approved by a legislative referral committee – (model used in State Senate)

2 – All bills “heard and passed” by a committee, shall be scheduled, heard, and voted on, by the subsequent committee. (This prevents Chairs from killing these “active” bills behind closed doors, without a public discussion or vote.)

3 – Only bills with budget impacts may be referred to Finance. (“Pure policy” bills may not be referred to and thus possibly “killed” by Finance.)

Boom Kanani. That’s it.

If these three changes had been proposed and approved on January 17 when the House amended and approved its rules, HB772 ending the two ticket money transfer charade, would still be alive.

Unfortunately, the House Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures met only in secret so the public will never know if these important proposed rule changes were even considered.

Which is why 8 Hawai’i residents are now suing the House.

Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
Subscribe https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

President Trump has demonstrated through words and action, unequivocally – he will do whatever’s necessary to maintain control and power.

He publicly sneers, belittles, and mocks anyone and everyone who has the audacity to disagree with him or push back against his proposed agenda.

When confronted with genuine resistance he loudly threatens harm to the person, organization, or country. If the resistance persists, he then uses the full power and authority of his office AND the money of his oligarch patrons – to bring actual economic, political, and/or personal harm to those failing to comply.

“Do what I tell you, or I will hurt you.” Is the President’s message.

This is not hyperbole. Even those who support him will agree the above is an accurate description of President Donald Trump. “While I don’t like all his actions and statements, I like his policies and what he stands for.” – are common statements from MAGA supporters.

We cannot succumb to the fear and intimidation.

We must push back against changes in federal policy and actions that bring harm to our community, AND we must simultaneously take meaningful and aggressive steps toward food, energy, and economic self-sufficiency.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Hawai’i ranks #2 in the United States for the highest defense spending as a share of state GDP, indicating increased vulnerability to significant DoD spending changes. (hawaii.gov)

We must wean our economy off its dependency on military spending.

We must oppose the current Trump energy policy that seeks to expand the use of fossil fuel and instead, increase state incentives for solar power while phasing out fossil fuel including liquified natural gas (LNG).

Ditto to food and agriculture. We must fast-track the “Farm to School” mandate, add “Farm to Families”, prisons, jails, hospitals, and hotels – AND implement strong incentives for local food producers.

Our goal must be to shrink, not expand the U.S. militaries foot-print in our islands – think Pohakuloa, Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, and Makua.

Education, medicare, medicaid, and social security are all on the table. Environmental protections and the upkeep of our public lands are also at risk.

The wrecking-ball the Trump/Musk regime is using against a wide variety of international aid programs is causing serious, tangible and irreversible harm to people on every single continent.
Appeasement is not an option.

Many benefit from the abundance of our islands who do not pay their fair share – absentee owners, foreign investors, and off-shore corporations to name just a few. To protect medicare and medicaid, we must counter federal tax cuts for the wealthy, with state and county tax increases impacting those same populations.

We don’t cut deals with thugs and bullies.

We don’t trade our ethics, morals, and integrity for money. We don’t look the other way, and we don’t keep our mouths shut because we’re afraid the bully will turn off the funding spigot.

Hawai’i must lead. Our Congressional delegation, our Governor, the legislature, County Councils, University of Hawai’i, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, our courts and law enforcement, and non-profit advocacy groups across the islands – all of us and each of us must step up and push back.

Hawai’i leaders at all levels must follow the example of Representative Jill Tokuda.

We must stand strong and wear our values on our sleeve, proudly for the whole world to see.

Please join me in calling Senator Mazie Hirono (202) 224-6361 and telling her “thank you” for voting NO on the Trump/GOP “stop-gap funding measure”. Please also call Representative Jill Tokuda (202) 225-4906 and tell her “mahalo” as well for standing up and speaking out strongly against the Trump/Musk/Vance triumvirate.

As to Senator Brian Schatz and Representative Ed Case – unfortunately they are on the wrong side of this discussion. Senator Schatz voted YES today, supporting the Trump/GOP measure, and Representative Case voted to support the censure of his fellow Congressman Al Green for speaking out loudly against President Trump during a joint session of Congress.

Mahalo,
Gary L. Hooser (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
8 years – Kaua`i County Council�
8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Just a regular guy trying to do my part to make the world a better place –

Gary L. Hooser
https://garyhooser.blog

8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Policy and Politics – Hawaii and beyond, in real time – Stay informed. Get involved. Make a difference.
Subscribe https://policy-and-politics.mailchimpsites.com for regular email updates – I promise not to flood your inbox with meaningless pap. Truly…I promise. gh

Photo Note: Unfortunately I do not know who took this photograph of a lone surfer blocking the Hawai’i Superferry from entering Nawiliwili Harbor – December 2007.

Honolulu StarAdvertiser Column:
State government must lift cloak of opacity for public good
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/03/06/editorial/island-voices/column-state-government-must-lift-cloak-of-opacity-for-public-good/

By Robert H. Pahia, Sergio J. Alcubilla III and Laura Acasio
March 6, 2025 

The essence of democracy lies in self-governance. Article 1, Section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution states, “All political power of this State is inherent in the people and the responsibility for the exercise thereof rests with the people.”

With Acasio v. House of Representatives, we are reclaiming our civic agency and asserting the people of Hawaii’s role in shaping the policies that define our quality of life and that of future generations. We seek to hold our representatives accountable to the state Constitution, and reaffirm our belief in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

The state House of Representatives, a legislative body meant to be the people’s voice, increasingly operates as an impenetrable fortress. Article III of the Hawaii State Constitution explicitly states, “Every meeting of a committee in either house … held for the purpose of making decisions on matters referred to the committee shall be open to the public.”

Previously, House rules required the formation of a House Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure to review House rules and propose amendments. These same rules also mandated that the committee hold public meetings when making decisions and provide public notice of those meetings. This is especially important because the Sunshine Law does not cover the Legislature.

When the House Advisory Committee was formed, we were hopeful. We believed it would provide a genuine opportunity for public participation, as required by the Constitution. We expected open discussion and debate on House rules, leading to transparent and thoughtful recommendations.

Before filing this lawsuit — and before the House changed its rules behind closed doors — we reached out to representatives by phone, email and in person, requesting to be informed and allowed to participate in the relevant committee meetings.

Regrettably, the committee made its decisions in secret, holding no public meetings as required by the Hawaii Constitution. There was no public notice, no transparency, and no opportunity for participation.

This problem extends beyond House rules. Legislation is routinely drafted and decided upon in isolated committees, shielded from public scrutiny. Critical issues are often settled behind closed doors, leaving engaged citizens and stakeholders shut out. This closed decision-making process weakens representative democracy and conflicts with the fundamental principles of the Constitution.

This lawsuit demands adherence to the will of the voters and challenges all lawmakers to recommit to their duty to engage the people of Hawaii in meaningful ways. It is a reminder that their power comes from the governed — not the other way around. We hope that this lawsuit compels our representatives to dismantle the barriers they have erected between themselves and the people they are sworn to serve.

Democracy is a dynamic activity, meant to be practiced in the sunlight. Holding our leaders accountable is an essential part of good governance, and we must never abstain from our duty as citizens to do so.

Robert H. Pahia, Sergio J. Alcubilla III and Laura Acasio are plaintiffs in the recently filed lawsuit, Acasio v. House of Representatives; this was also signed by fellow plaintiffs Ka’apuni Aiwohi, Tanya Aynessazian, Doug Cobeen, Karen Cobeen and Michaela Ikeuchi.