Hawaii State Senator Gary L. Hooser

HONOLULU, HI – State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser kicked-off his statewide campaign for 2010 Lieutenant Governor before a packed crowd at a fundraising rally held on Tuesday, June 9th at the DAV Hall - Ke‘ehi Lagoon on O‘ahu. The candidate told friends, family and supporters that he has his eye on one assignment over all others:


“In a state with abundant sunshine, steady trade winds and the potential for wave, ocean and geo-thermal energy, we should clearly be the world’s leader in the development, testing, use, and export of renewable energy technology,” said Hooser. “If elected, this will be the first job I request of the new Governor. I will ask him or her to let me help lead the way in making Hawai‘i energy self-sufficient.”

Hooser also touched upon other issues about which he feels most strongly, stressing his belief in equality for all, his support of universal access to healthcare and education, his belief that drug addiction is primarily a public health issue and the urgent need to build environmental awareness and energy independence.

Acknowledging that his opponents may very well voice similar positions he made the case for his candidacy: “Besides the experience, business, family, living through with the community the impact of two hurricanes on Kauai, council and state legislative experience; the progressive values and policy positions, I am different because I have been tested. I have proven my resolve. I have proven that I am who I say I am and I have proven that I will fight and stand for what is right and just,” he said.

He reminded supporters of the comprehensive list of ways in which he had already acted upon Hawai‘i’s most critical issues, citing his recent efforts in regards to civil unions, his active support of nurses, hotel workers and teachers, and the authoring and successful passing of the nation’s first solar mandate bill.

“I am here tonight to say to you that I believe sincerely, that with new leadership, new energy and a new commitment to the future, we can achieve the Hawai‘i and the future that we all want and deserve. And I am here tonight to ask you to join me in making these dreams a reality,” Hooser said in his remarks.

The first of its kind in Hawai‘i, Senator Gary Hooser’s campaign for 2010 Lieutenant Governor is a carbon neutral campaign. A longtime advocate of sustainability and the environment in the Senate, Hooser has committed to offset all C02 generated by his campaign by purchasing carbon credits from local companies doing reforestation and clean energy development. “These efforts are my way of affirming my long-standing commitment to doing all that I can to protect the environment and foster a greener economy,” Hooser said.

The Friends of Gary Hooser will be hosting several meet and greet/fundraising events on Kaua‘i, Maui and Big Island over the next three months. For more information, please visit www.garyhooser.com.

We must not let ourselves be fooled. This election is not about choosing between Obama and McCain, but rather it is about choosing between two competing futures, one represented by Barack Obama and the other by Sandra Palin. It is not back to the future but rather forward to the past.

Yogi Berra, a famous baseball catcher of a time long since past once said, “When you come to a fork in the road - take it”.

America is at such a fork, and yes we must take it. And it is no joke.

While the mere choice of direction does not guarantee a successful journey, the path that is chosen to a large part will determine our children’s future.

To one side is the path of Barack Obama, a path of hope and a vision for a new and more promising future. This is the path of Robert Frost, the path less traveled and a path toward a new America, an America whose time has finally arrived. Down this road are forward looking choices that focus on bringing people together, that focus on people helping each other and choices that treat all people with respect, equality and justice. This is the path of Dr. King, the path of hope and inspiration for our youth and the path that honors, respects and supports the vast hardworking middle class. This the path toward peace and security, a path toward a sustainable future and a path toward justice. In Barack Obama’s future, we are all in this together.

Down the other side is the path of Sarah Palin, a path of that leads to the past. While John McCain is the man out front, the journey in which he attempts to leads us is Sarah Palin’s. While McCain is a war hero and he loves his country, he is also a man grounded in the past who will be controlled by the conservative right he so desperately courts. He is a man that is huggable as a gentle grandfather or a favorite uncle, but the clear and obvious reality is that John McCain’s time has passed. This election is about Sarah Palin and a future grounded in the conservative past that she represents. In Sarah Palin ‘s future it is every man and woman for themselves.