Guest Archives - The Garden Island

HOOSER: The Christmas present we deserve

Dec. 26, 2024 • Updated 8:25 p.m.

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’

Dec. 18, 2024

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

Dec. 11, 2024

“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

Dec. 04, 2024

Without a doubt, I’m the luckiest, most fortunate guy on the entire planet.

HOOSER: Down the political rabbit hole

Nov. 27, 2024

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

Nov. 20, 2024

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

Nov. 13, 2024 • Updated 7:10 p.m.

Losing sucks, but please don’t blame the voters.

HOOSER: It’s time to pivot local

Nov. 06, 2024 • Updated 7:48 p.m.

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

Oct. 30, 2024 • Updated 6:18 p.m.

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

Oct. 23, 2024 • Updated 7:45 p.m.

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

Oct. 16, 2024 • Updated 12:42 p.m.

So who you going to vote for?

Hooser: A voter’s conundrum

Oct. 10, 2024 • Updated 9:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 03, 2024 • Updated 7:21 p.m.

“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

Sep. 25, 2024 • Updated 6:33 p.m.

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.

TAX MAN: Raise your awareness with the Hawaii Budget Primer 2024

Sep. 23, 2024

This week we wanted to bring special attention to a 32-page pamphlet recently published by the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, simply called “Hawaii Budget Primer 2024-25.”

Hooser: How does Speaker Nadine Nakamura sound?

Sep. 19, 2024

According to the coconut wireless, Representative Nadine Nakamura, who represents District 15 on Kauai (Haena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, portions of Wailua and Kawaihau), will likely become the next Speaker of the State House of Representatives.

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