Stories by Gary Hooser

HOOSER: What we need on opening day

Hope and inspiration is what we need. Hope and inspiration backed by tangible action that says loud and clear the days of β€œpay to play” at the Hawai’i State legislature, are over.

HOOSER: Getting past recalcitrant incumbents

β€œPublicly funded Clean Elections, Rules Reform to increase transparency and accountability, and tightening campaign spending laws are all worthy goals.” will be the refrain from almost every State legislator in the building.

HOOSER: 3 stepsβ€” pick one and take it

Stop talking and just do it please. Just jump in the deep-end and start swimming. Trust me, it’ll be OK. Yes, learn from others who’ve gone before you β€” but take that critical first step now, today … before you talk yourself out of it yet again.

HOOSER: Down the political rabbit hole

Kauaβ€˜i’ Mayor Derek Kawakami told Hawai’i Public Radio’s Catherine Cruz last week, ”I think ultimately I’d like to make a run for either one of the seats on the fifth floor at the state Capitol…” (either lieutenant governor or governor).

HOOSER: It’s time to pivot local

No matter what happens in Washington, D.C., in the coming days, here in Hawaii we need to take a deep breath and turn our focus immediately toward local issues.

HOOSER: Political inspiration from jersey No. 6

He doesn’t know me at all and I only know him as jersey No. 6. He’s probably 9 years old, maybe 10. His actions on the soccer field this past Saturday should make us all very proud, and remind us of how civil society is supposed to act.

Hooser: A voter’s conundrum

Recently I received an email asking a simple and straightforward question that quickly became entangled in complicated thoughts and counter-thoughts.

HOOSER: The movement for legislative change

So what happens next? There’s the general election of Nov. 5, the 2025 legislative session, the movement for legislative reform, and yes it’s not too early to be thinking about the 2026 elections.