HOOSER: The political power you don’t know you have
Every day it seems I get an email or call from someone who wants to get involved with legislative advocacy, but they want the process “simpler.”
HOOSER: House bill seeks to prohibit county COVID travel rules
Preventing Kauai County from putting into place strong rules protecting our communities health and safety from the risks of expanded COVID infections is the objective of HB1286.
HOOSER: Make voices heard now on state, county issues
There is a lot going on this week with a mix of good and bad, policy and politics.
HOOSER: Coco Palms ‘defilement’ must stop
I awoke the other morning angry and thinking about the ongoing desecration occurring at the bottom of the hill. I’ve been driving by that place every day for the past 40 years. Since 1992 it has been a total wreck. The weeds grow tall, the buildings sit in what seems like a perpetual state of semi-demolishment, and every few years there are fires.
HOOSER: Abolish the ADC – Support the Auditor
The state auditor recently completed a long-awaited audit of the operations of the state Agribusiness Development Corporation, declaring: “We found that ADC has done little — if anything — to facilitate the development of agricultural enterprises…the ADC has yet to develop an agribusiness plan…ADC did not follow the state procurement process…the ADC has yet to provide the necessary leadership to facilitate the transition of agricultural lands…after almost 30 years since its creation.”
HOOSER: Nothing to fear except the rabbit hole
Today is a big day in policy and politics. Actually, they don’t get much bigger than this. The President of the United States is being sworn into office, and it’s the opening day of the Hawaii Legislature.
HOOSER: Bigotry and violence have no place
The images of recent violence and the storming of the Capitol in Washington D.C. are everywhere and impossible to avoid. Unfortunately and very sadly, threats of future and imminent violence have also arrived even here in Hawaii.
HOOSER: Hawaii frontline workers deserve a raise
Pandemic or no pandemic, minimum wage workers in numerous states, cities and counties across the United States will be receiving a raise this year. According to recent news reports in The Hill: “Twenty states and dozens of localities increased their minimum wage on January 1, 2021, giving a financial boost to many frontline workers during the pandemic.”
HOOSER: Use COVID cash to help small businesses
Within the next 14 days at least $21 million ($600 per person) and possibly up to $70 million ($2,000 per person) will fall from the sky and into the pockets of local Kauai residents.
HOOSER: Light at tunnel’s end, but be vigilant
It’s been a roller-coaster of a year, and from small kid time until today - I have never liked roller-coasters.
HOOSER: Furloughs — Legislative leadership is sorely lacking
As we enter the Christmas and New Year holiday season, my thoughts go out to all in our community who are struggling.
HOOSER: On winning a local election in 2022
Seems so obvious but to my friends who are thinking about running for election in 2022, please remember that elections are decided by the people who show up at the polls.
Kaua‘i politics – ‘It’s fun to speculate’
The inaugural meeting of the new Council was held only yesterday, the thoughts, plans, scheming, and campaigning for 2022 starts now.
HOOSER: Give thanks for bold elected leadership, Berreman
Mahalo Councilmembers Mason Chock and Luke Evslin for introducing Resolution 2020-57. Mahalo also Mayor Derek Kawakami for standing up and speaking out on behalf of the health of our community.
HOOSER: Trump takes Ni‘ihau; Kaneshiro, Chock battle for council chair
Voters on Niʻihau were unanimous in their support for electing President Donald Trump to a second term. All 43 votes cast in Kauaʻi District 16 - Precinct 06 went to the Trump/Pence ticket with zero cast for Biden/Harris.
Many elected Democrats don’t toe party line
In response to last week’s column, “Confessions of a centrist and a call for civility,” I received this reply:
Confessions of a centrist and a call for civility
Since the conclusion of the 2020 General Election is upon us, I thought it a good time to confess the truth.
Nov. 3 – Anger, Angst, and Apprehension
This time next week it will all be over. At least I hope and pray that is the case, and that the Biden/Harris ticket win’s by a landslide. Anything less than a decisive victory in both the popular vote and the electoral college will result in a contentious and potentially very dangerous, hot mess.
Affordable-housing Bill 2774 is beyond counterintuitive
Thank you Councilmember Felicia Cowden for standing strong in opposition to passing out of committee Bill 2774.
On the Dred Scott decision, Supreme Court and nominee
In March 1857, the United States Supreme Court in Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. 393 (1856) issued a 7–2 decision against Dred Scott.