HOOSER: Planning commission under siege
I received this bombshell of an email from an O‘ahu attorney and friend a few days ago:
HOOSER: Wisdom from a first grader
For Presidents’ Day, my incredibly smart 7-year-old granddaughter Isabella was asked by her first grade teacher to answer a single question: What would they do if they were president? My granddaughters response was: “If I were president I’d be kind to everyone.”
HOOSER: Campaigning by the numbers
Because the vast majority of legislative seats in Hawai‘i are held by Democrats, the Primary Election of Aug. 10 is everything.
HOOSER: Looking for the change makers
Got an email recently from a community member who had been reading my political ramblings posted at https://garyhooser.blog
HOOSER: Tipping the scale for democracy
The chair of House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA), Hawai‘i Island Rep. David Tarnas, along with other committee members including our own Kauai District 16 Rep. Luke Evslin, recently killed the Clean Elections bill (Senate Bill 2381).
HOOSER: Sending in testimony — does it work?
Does anyone really read the testimony I send in? Is it truly important that I go to the legislature’s website, log in, and submit testimony in support or opposition? Is actually showing up in person important?
HOOSER: Hawai‘i presidential primary on Wednesday
Given the precarious condition of the world and the fact the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i (DPH) Presidential Primary is being held today, I think it’s only right that I let folks know where I’m at on this.
Letter for Thursday, February 29, 2024
• My state project
HOOSER: ‘No’ to public education budget cuts
A recent Honolulu news story reports the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee (WAM), Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, is proposing to reduce spending on public eduction in order to balance the over-all state budget. Hawai‘i’s 258 public schools and 37 public charter schools, are being told to expect budget cuts ranging from $213 million to $320 million.
HOOSER: Civic engagement — into the weeds
My telephone was ringing off the hook over the weekend with people calling to let me know the state Department of Transportation (DOT) was “spraying herbicides along the highway between Kapa‘a and Anahola.”
HOOSER: The cards are stacked in our favor
It’s easy to be a cynic and in these times of hardship and turmoil, it’s very hard to be optimistic.
Democrat takes stance against ‘Clean Elections’ bill
It’s a “can’t make this stuff up” kinda of day and the official start of the 2024 election season. While there will likely be 15 or more candidates ultimately running, as of Feb. 5 only one person Bart Thomas of Koloa has filed papers to run for election to the Kaua‘i County Council.
HOOSER: Do’s, don’ts and shoulds for Kaua‘i council
What power and responsibilities are specifically granted to the council and its members?
VOICES: Kaua‘i needs curbside recycling now
Kaua‘i has a solid waste crisis. According to county officials, the current landfill will fill up before a new one is ready.
Letter for Wednesday, January 10, 2024
• ‘High-minded column’
HOOSER: Money buys influence
“Prior to appearing before the County Council or administrative agency, a lobbyist shall orally disclose his or her status as a lobbyist and the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is appearing.” Kaua‘i County Ordinance 999.
HOOSER: The most important issue of our time
There’s nothing we can really do about it, the underlying issues are far too complicated, and we have far too many important problems of our own to deal with — said every enabler of every war and atrocity that has occurred through-out history.
HOOSER: Challenges and opportunities in 2024
Bring it on. As the door to 2024 begins to open, I see sparkles of opportunity beckoning in the distance. The challenges facing our community while formidable, are certainly not insurmountable.
Letter for Thursday, December 21, 2023
• Kuamo‘o Road
HOOSER: The politics of debate and dialogue
Either I’m evil or I’m ignorant was the message delivered to me recently via email. Another scolded me, saying she was offended that I had not responded to her email within three days.