HOOSER: The planet is burning; time to stop fiddling
Plato (428-7 B.C.E) said it best, “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”
HOOSER: Pomp, circumstance and politics
Opening day of the 2025 Hawaiʻi Legislature this past Wednesday was a festive affair, full of pomp and circumstance — as is to be expected.
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 “pay to play” at the Hawai’i State legislature, are over.
HOOSER: Getting past recalcitrant incumbents
“Publicly 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 steps— 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 — but take that critical first step now, today … before you talk yourself out of it yet again.
HOOSER: The Christmas present we deserve
I’ve never thought much about Maine. I just know it’s a small state located somewhere on the Canadian border, and it’s cold.
HOOSER: Advice for the ‘first-timers’
At least a dozen brand new people were elected this past November 5th to serve at all levels of Hawaii state and county government.
HOOSER: Rules of the House, up close and personal
“Meet the new House boss, same as the old House boss”…is not the headline we want to see 6 months from now when “post session” reviews are conducted.
HOOSER: Missive for the change-makers
Without a doubt, I’m the luckiest, most fortunate guy on the entire planet.
HOOSER: Down the political rabbit hole
Kaua‘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: A New Kaua‘i Council Dynamic
Congratulations to former Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro and our brand new Councilmember Fern Anuenue Holland, both of whom recently won election to the Kaua‘i County Council.
HOOSER: To those candidates who lost
Losing sucks, but please don’t blame the voters.
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: Candidates on a string — super PACs at work
The biggest threat to democracy is not unregulated immigration, but rather the unregulated and unlimited flow of money into political campaigns on both sides of the aisle.
HOOSER: One vote can make a difference
So who you going to vote for?
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: Reorganizing the state House without the nuance
“I’m now curious: How does the Speaker get that position — is it a public vote or in-house vote by the other reps?”
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.
HOOSER: The back side of the baby boomer curve
The back side of the baby-boomer curve