HOOSER: Campaigning 101 — just do it
With the Aug. 10, 2024, primary election only 14 months away, local candidates need to get moving.
HOOSER: A joyous May Day at Koloa Elementary School
Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Or in the case of the recent May Day celebration at Koloa Elementary School, it was the plumeria, the stephanotis, the pikake, the ti, and so many others.
HOOSER: 2024 elections cannot come soon enough
I remember sitting at the dinner table shortly after the elections in 2000 and remarking to my family “Aren’t you glad the campaign is over?”
HOOSER: Kaua‘i leads wrong way on Zoom testimony
Effective March 22, 2023, Kaua‘i County became the only county in Hawai‘i whose citizens are not allowed to testify via Zoom or other remote technology.
HOOSER: Legislature fails on major reform efforts
Two legislators were busted last year for taking bribes in return for helping a prolific campaign donor with legislation benefiting his company. Immediately, with much fanfare, House Speaker Scott Saiki created a “Commission To Improve Standards of Conduct,” and vowed to take action.
HOOSER: Time to get our priorities straight
“When they tell you there’s no money, what they’re really saying is it’s not a priority.”
HOOSER: Take the drivel to your beer buddies
“We’re going to close up our hotel and take our business somewhere else where the taxes are lower!” said no hotel on Kaua‘i ever.
HOOSER: Civic engagement is essential for a democracy
The state House Finance Committee has scheduled Senate Bill 1543 for a hearing on Wednesday, April 5 at 2 p.m.
HOOSER: Intervention needed at Coco Palms
Sitting in the Kapa‘a crawl, heading south, and not moving at all for what seems like a long, long time, I found myself thinking, “Can’t wait until the Coco Palms Hotel opens up.”
HOOSER: Kissing Kaua‘i Zoom testimony goodbye
Kaua‘i is now the only county in Hawai‘i to prohibit remote interactive conference technology (ICT) testimony by residents. No more Zooming in from Kekaha or Ha‘ena to testify. Nope, you now have to take the day off, drive into Lihu‘e, and sit in the council chambers for who knows how long, so you can present your three minutes of testimony.
HOOSER: Dealing with the homeless on Kaua‘i
An acquaintance grabbed my ear recently saying, “Gary, how can we get rid of all these homeless people?” He went on to bemoan the presence of the poor and unwashed that seem to be sleeping under every bridge and in every doorway.
HOOSER: Remembering Larry Rivera
I miss Larry Rivera. He and Gloria, and his entire family hold a special place in my heart. I was traveling and off island during his recent celebration of life, but was there in spirit and share here today my own memories and deep love for this very special man.
HOOSER: Status quo, good ole boys, will not get us there
Believe it or not, it’s time for those new candidates considering a run for office in 2024 to, well, get running. The August 2024 primary election is only 17 months or so away, and anyone serious about winning best be getting real, very soon.
HOOSER: A fair and open process, or not?
It seems the rush is on to fill the seat being vacated by former council member Luke Evslin, who was recently appointed to the state House of Representatives.
HOOSER: Don’t come after my chickens
Yes, I feed them. I dump leftover rice, papaya and pumpkin seeds, and all manner of leftover food, in my backyard, and then I enjoy watching these beautiful creatures enjoy their feast. In return, they give me their chicken poop, a truly closed loop and some of the best fertilizer in the world.
HOOSER: Why should you care?
Why should you care? Why should you take the time to send off some meaningless little email to some politician who’s not going to read it, and will do what they want regardless? Trust me, I feel this way more often than I’d like to admit.
HOOSER: Pulling back the curtains on Coco Palms
Who won and who lost on Jan. 24? On the surface, as is way too often the case — the developers won. But scratch just a tiny bit and you’ll see their victory was a hollow one. They stepped in it, actually. They stepped in it big time.
HOOSER: A birthday rumination
Turning 69 years old on Thursday, Jan. 19 was an exhilarating day for me, and I thank all who helped make it so.
Hooser: Muddy waters of Coco Palms
Tuesday, Jan. 24, could be a big day for the perennially promised and never fulfilled Coco Palms development.
Hooser: Legislative reform: ‘A deep moral crisis’
The cynics and skeptics will say it’s just gonna be more of the same. Always the optimist, I beg to differ. There’s too much at stake.