HOOSER: Making your County Council short list
It seems every single day someone calls or emails me asking about various candidates running for election. I share with them my personal favorites, but also strongly encourage everyone to do just a little bit of homework and come to their own conclusions.
HOOSER: Results of policy and politics exercise
I wrote last week, “Contact each council candidate, ask them your questions, share your concerns, and compare their responses (or lack thereof) before making your final voting decision.”
HOOSER: A valuable policy and politics exercise
In 30 days or less voters will begin receiving their primary election ballot in the mail. Visit https://olvr.hawaii.gov to register or update your registration.
HOOSER: Unpacking the 2024 Kaua‘i primary
The upcoming primary election ballot for Kaua’i at first glance, looks a little boring.
HOOSER: What’s your na‘au got to do with it?
Someone said to me recently, “Why do you bother doing the work you’re doing? Nothing you or I do is going to make a difference.”
HOOSER: Circumventing the charter
Governor Josh Green has signed Senate Bill 3202 into law. This new law effectively circumvents the Kaua‘i County Charter by transferring the power of subdivision approval in the urban district, from the Planning Commission to a single individual, the Kaua‘i planning director.
HOOSER: Honest review of impacts needed in Barking Sands
The Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands (PMRF) Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (EISPN) is out, and at first read seems woefully inadequate.
HOOSER: HRS 343 rears its beautiful head
One of the most important laws on the books is Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) 343 also known as the Hawai‘i Environmental Protection Act (HEPA). Included in my now 70 years of life experience was a stint in 2012 as Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC), the agency responsible for administering this law.
HOOSER: Good night and good riddance
It feels like the first day of a new year, in a policy and politics sense.
HOOSER: A ‘teachable moment’
While it’s likely too late to impact it’s passage, Senate Bill 3202 represents an important “teachable moment” for those interested in the legislative process (or lack thereof).
HOOSER: It’s shameful — politics at its worst
There was no shortage of new bombshells falling on the Hawai‘i public policy battlefield this past week. The New York Times reported for the whole world to see what many of us already know, “Pay-to-play is woven into the DNA of the statehood of Hawai‘i,” said Camron Hurt, director of Common Cause Hawai‘i.
HOOSER: Planning commission under siege
I received this bombshell of an email from an O‘ahu attorney and friend a few days ago:
HOOSER: Wisdom from a first grader
For Presidents’ Day, my incredibly smart 7-year-old granddaughter Isabella was asked by her first grade teacher to answer a single question: What would they do if they were president? My granddaughters response was: “If I were president I’d be kind to everyone.”
HOOSER: Campaigning by the numbers
Because the vast majority of legislative seats in Hawai‘i are held by Democrats, the Primary Election of Aug. 10 is everything.
HOOSER: Looking for the change makers
Got an email recently from a community member who had been reading my political ramblings posted at https://garyhooser.blog
HOOSER: Tipping the scale for democracy
The chair of House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA), Hawai‘i Island Rep. David Tarnas, along with other committee members including our own Kauai District 16 Rep. Luke Evslin, recently killed the Clean Elections bill (Senate Bill 2381).
HOOSER: Sending in testimony — does it work?
Does anyone really read the testimony I send in? Is it truly important that I go to the legislature’s website, log in, and submit testimony in support or opposition? Is actually showing up in person important?
HOOSER: Hawai‘i presidential primary on Wednesday
Given the precarious condition of the world and the fact the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i (DPH) Presidential Primary is being held today, I think it’s only right that I let folks know where I’m at on this.
HOOSER: ‘No’ to public education budget cuts
A recent Honolulu news story reports the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee (WAM), Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, is proposing to reduce spending on public eduction in order to balance the over-all state budget. Hawai‘i’s 258 public schools and 37 public charter schools, are being told to expect budget cuts ranging from $213 million to $320 million.
HOOSER: Civic engagement — into the weeds
My telephone was ringing off the hook over the weekend with people calling to let me know the state Department of Transportation (DOT) was “spraying herbicides along the highway between Kapa‘a and Anahola.”