HOOSER: Qualifications for council candidates restrictive
To be a candidate for the Kaua‘i County Council you must be a resident and a “qualified voter” for two years preceding the election.
VOICES: Economic interest depend on a healthy planet
Economic interests cannot come at the expense of a livable planet. Indeed, our economic interests depend on a healthy planet. Take a look at the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which caused an immediate loss of an estimated 10,000 jobs and over $1 billion in revenue lost to the commercial fishing industry. Now, a decade later, the area has still not environmentally or economically recovered.
HOOSER: 12 policy goals for 2022
It goes without saying that if we don’t set goals, we are sure not to achieve them.
VOICES: Telehealth brings expertise, support to island families
Earlier this year, Tyra gave birth to her son, Oshen, at Wilcox Medical Center in Lihu‘e. Immediately after, Oshen suffered a stroke and was airlifted to Kapi‘olani Medical Center on O‘ahu. Fortunately, the medical team was able to stabilize Oshen, but his mother still worried about his future and how this might impact his development.
VOICES: Why I believe participating in Kaua‘i Martin Luther King Day 2022 is worth your while
I just completed a week of in-depth study of Mahatma Gandhi with a group of 40 people from around the world on the internet. We read, we watched films, we met in chat rooms, and we wrote our reflections. For me, it was eye-opening to see the beauty of humanity. We are all striving so hard to balance our passion to change the world toward peace, cooperation, sustainability, and safety, with understanding and caring for ourselves.
HOOSER: Sometimes leading means stepping back
The primary election results for the Kaua‘i prosecutor’s race show without a doubt who the winner of the general election will be. With the most-recent count showing Rebecca “Becky” Like at 8,184 votes and Shaylene Iseri at 3,645 votes, the ultimate outcome is clear.
VOICES: Don’t wait, vaccinate your keiki today
In early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11. While this may seem like a long-awaited step on the journey to end the pandemic for some, the decision to vaccinate keiki is daunting for many parents.
HOOSER: 10 things to do in 2022
As we enter the final days of the year it’s good to remind ourselves of a few things (10 to be exact) that we can do to make our community a better place.
HOOSER: Understanding and reading between the lines
Recently, while reviewing online the Kaua‘i County Council Dec. 1 “Council Meeting Recap,” I came across this:
VOICES: Kollar, Like, Iseri, politics and the dollar
The good book says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
HOOSER: Making democracy work. We need you in 2022.
As 2021 draws to a close, I think not so much about the coming holidays but more about the work being done in Congress, by our County Council, and in the coming legislative session that opens on Jan. 19, followed oh-so-quickly by the primary election Aug. 13.
VOICES: Consumption and climate change
What you buy, how you use it and reuse it, and if you repair or recycle, all have huge effects on our planet’s climate.
HOOSER: Bill No. 2491, 8 years later
The story of Bill No. 2491, about how the people of Kaua‘i went to battle against the largest chemical companies in the world, is too long, too complex and too intense to tell in 600 words. If you’re interested, consider watching the documentary film “Poisoning Paradise,” free on Amazon Prime.
VOICES: Remember Greg Silva for a fifth year
A friend and ally of mine dedicated to forwarding the cause of prison reform has said several times that her commitment of 25 years is powered by love. This is also where the family of Greg Silva comes from as we remember this man in the fifth year of his tragic ending.
HOOSER: Republicans and Conservative Dems join hands to block BBB
Because of a handful of conservative Democrats and 100% of the Republicans in Congress, 62 million Medicare recipients will not be receiving help with their dental and vision needs this coming year.
VOICES: The continuing legacy of American veterans in the workplace
As our country emerges from the longest war in its history, the 4.5 million veterans who served during this period are poised to lead our workforce — and the U.S. economy — into the next decades.
HOOSER: Legislative accountability problems and solutions
Having a government that works for the people, and that operates in a manner that is transparent and accountable is a goal that cuts across ideological lines.
VOICES: Traveler testing beats vaccine passports
According to The Garden Island on Nov. 3 (aka 20 months into flatten the curve), Mayor Kawakami feels pressured by Governor Ige’s proclamation regarding opening restaurants at full capacity. Specifically, he feels we may have “no choice” but to start requiring proof of COVID vaccine or a negative test within 48 hours in order to go to restaurants and other select businesses. Just like they currently do in O‘ahu.
VOICES: Feminist resolution enacts change
Ever wonder if the county’s Administration office is supporting equity and economic justice during COVID-19’s feminist recovery initiative plan?
VOICES: Climate conference crucial to the world
This month’s Conference of the Parties (COP) is critical for the future of the climate, and being widely thought of as the last chance for world leaders to commit to action on the climate crisis.