HOOSER: What do I want for Christmas?
Money, of course. Money for the houseless. Money for education. Money for I Ola Wailuanui. Money for community organizing. Money for hard core legislative advocacy work.
HOOSER: Reclaiming Coco Palms — a just cause
I’ve never donated $2,000 to anything, let alone $10,000. Like most of us, I don’t have a ton of money and after the bills that are due on the first of every month are paid, there’s no shortage of other family needs and wants.
HOOSER: County Charter Amendments — words matter
I’m getting lots of calls from folks asking my opinion about the 4 proposed Charter Amendments,. and since this is after-all an opinion column, here goes:
HOOSER: The race to serve at the Legislature, or not
Within the next 10 days those of you who are registered to vote will be receiving your ballot in the mail.
HOOSER: To those of you too busy to make a difference
It’s time to get off the couch. Summer vacation is over. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back to the task at hand — helping to make our community, our world, and our planet a better place.
HOOSER: The people versus Joe Manchin
Our 4 member all (D) Hawai’i Congressional delegation came very close yesterday to being forced to vote on a deal proposed by Senator Joe Manchin (D - but not really) of West Virginia.
HOOSER: Council to give $7 million for 10 words
The Kaua‘i County Council agenda set for Wednesday, Sept. 21, includes Resolution 2022-28, which proposes to transfer to the Grove Farm Company approximately $7 million in taxpayer-funded property improvements, newly constructed buildings, related infrastructure, and nearly six acres of land — that same land that Grove Farm had previously given to the county.
HOOSER: Wailuanuiahoʻano — say the name
Thirty years ago — on Sept. 11, 1992 — Hurricane ʻIniki made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane destroying many homes and businesses including the property then known as the Coco Palms Hotel Resort located on the sacred lands of Wailuanuiahoʻano.
HOOSER: Maui really is no ka oi in forward thinking
We don’t want to end up like Maui has been the refrain of many a Kaua‘i resident fighting to preserve our rural character. On Maui, I’m guessing they say, “We don’t want to end up like O‘ahu”
HOOSER: Cleaning the House, Senate — 6 proposals for systemic change
It’s time to pivot to policy.
HOOSER: Coco Palms Resort goes rent-seeking
It’s Groundhog Day, as the Coco Palms Resort development is yet again on the Kaua‘i Planning Commission agenda. It’s been 30 years and the parade of various owners and developers continue to tell us to trust them, everything is on track, and they will soon be restoring the property to its former glory.
HOOSER: 29,553 votes left on the table — a primary review
The good ole boys are back. This was the immediate thought that came to me after the first print-out on Saturday night.
Open letter to Kamala Harris; notes from the heart
Welcome to Kauai. My hope is your stay here will be one that rejuvenates and inspires you. I can only imagine the work load and daily stress that accompanies your life as Vice President. Thank you for your service and the sacrifice you make on our behalf.
HOOSER: Policy, politics, affordable housing and elections
Three days out from the close of our primary election and there’s no better time to examine the confluence of policy and politics - a text book example really, Kauai style.
HOOSER: Lieutenant Governor – it’s time to come clean
I’m as sick and tired of this conversation as anyone. We should be talking about the future and solving the many challenges facing our community, not asking an elected official seeking higher office to do the bare minimum that any other state employee with a suspected conflict of interest would be asked to do.
HOOSER: Kaua‘i County Council election, by the numbers
There are 19 candidates now in the race for election to serve on the Kaua‘i County Council. On August 13 that list will be whittled down to the top 14 vote-getters. Then on November 4th, the final top 7 will go on to serve Kaua‘i County for the next 2 years.
HOOSER: Kaua‘i — Counting votes for affordable housing
The lack of affordable housing is cited as the #1 issue by just about every candidate on the ballot in the Primary Election scheduled for August 13.
HOOSER: Who controls Hawaiʻi elections?
There’s really no mystery, no black box, no secret formula, and for sure there is no conspiracy. It’s all very simple and basic really - our government is controlled by the people who show up to vote.
HOOSER: Campaign-finance reform requires your input
Today, June 29, 2022, the Hawaii Commission To Improve Standards Of Conduct (CISC) is scheduled to discuss recommendations on campaign finance reform.
HOOSER: Kauai County Council: An argument over affordable housing
I have a confession. For the first time in over 4 years, I watched an entire County Council meeting.