Hawaii State Senator Gary L. Hooser

Past Sierra Club Directors Endorse Hooser
Two former directors of the Hawaii chapter of the Sierra Club, Jeff Mikulina (1998-2008) and David Kimo Frankel (1996-1998) as well as respected environmental professor/attorney Denise Antolini, and numerous other leaders in the environmental community have endorsed Senator Gary Hooser for Lt. Governor in 2010

"As someone who has been active in advocating for Hawai'i's sustainability for over a decade, I'm supporting Gary Hooser for Lt. Governor," said Mikulina. "Gary has earned my support through his honest, thoughtful, and smart approach to leadership and policymaking. He's not afraid to make the tough political decisions that will benefit many--today and tomorrow."

David Kimo Frankel, recounting his years of lobbying for the Sierra Club had shown him that "there are not many people who can successfully navigate the system with integrity, intelligence and a progressive ideology. Gary Hooser is the kind of person we need at the statewide level here in Hawai`i," he said.
Losing 17 Days Of Classroom Instruction Is Unacceptable
"We need to convene a five day special session, utilize special funds for education, cancel the 17 days of furlough and send both parties back to the bargaining table." State Senator Gary Hooser - Honolulu Advertiser http://garyhooser.livejournal.com/34231.html

Who is Gary Hooser?
How did Hooser go from being a Waikiki pedicab driver, to being Majority Leader in the Hawaii Senate? Watch the 6 minute online video, "The Hooser Story". http://www.garyhooser.com

Your Help Is Needed Today
Our State is entering an era where leadership, new ideas and unwavering core values are needed more than ever before. If you value - energy independence, a robust diverse and sustainable economy, social justice, protection of the environment and a strong public education system - we need your help and support - TODAY. To be successful, our campaign must raise a minimum of $400,000. Our immediate goal is to reach 1,000 people each contributing $10, $100, or more by November 9th. Please go to http://www.garyhooser.com to join us and be part of the Hooser 1,000 if you can.

Action on Energy and the Environment
One of the most recent examples of Hooser's leadership is his authorship of the Solar Mandate Bill, requiring all new homes built in Hawai'i after January 1, 2010 to have a solar hot water heater or other highly efficient system installed.

Hooser's 2010 campaign for Lt. Governor is the first ever in Hawai`i to go carbon neutral to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight global climate change, by purchasing carbon credits from local companies doing reforestation and clean energy development in the islands.

Please join us:
http://www.facebook.com/supportgaryhooser
http://twitter.com/garyhooser/

Friends of Gary Hooser - P.O. Box 4094 - Honolulu Hawaii - 96812
Reach Senator Gary Hooser via senatorhooser@gmail.com or cell 808-652-4279

David Shapiro’s recent column entitled “Civil unions issue remains political divider” http://bit.ly/ePJTB suggests that Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, Councilmember Gary Okino and assorted other right wing conservatives are in the process of fermenting a political holy war of sorts.

The plan it seems is that Aiona, Okino and others will rally and incite their flocks to storm forth from the temple and rain down the wrath of God upon the heads and shoulders of politicians like myself who support equality for all people.

Okino is quoted as saying that he will “bring a righteous point of view” implying that God is somehow on his side, which by definition then would be on the side of those who preach sermons of denigration, demonization and inequality.

The God I know is one who teaches love, tolerance, justice and equality.

The quest for the equal treatment of same sex couples is simply that. Opposite sex couples who choose to live in a committed relationship and are joined in marriage receive a certain bundle of rights granted to them by government. HB444 merely says that same sex couples are entitled to the same bundle of rights, but rather via a civil union agreement and not a marriage.

It is not the purview of government to sanctify relationships. The sanctification of a marriage is something that belongs, in my opinion, within the domain of religious institutions. Government is responsible for the passing, implementation and enforcement of criminal and civil law while religion holds the rights to blessings, sanctification and matters relating to eternal life. Government and its elected leaders, should and must enforce the laws that we pass equally and justly without discrimination.

Every legislator has sworn an oath to support and uphold the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and of the United States of America. Equal protection under the law is a fundamental precept of both our state and our national constitution, a principle I support whole-heartedly.

The passage of HB444 is essential to the fulfillment of our constitutional duty as a legislative body. It is also what I, as an individual, believe is simply the right thing to do.

I love the work that I do as a Hawaii State Senator and hope to do more one day as Lieutenant Governor. People often ask “Why do you run, why do you serve?” The answer is simple, I serve in public office because I want to make Hawaii and our world a better place. The God that I pray and listen to in the quiet of the night, is a God who guides me also on the path to righteous decision making - but mine is a path of tolerance, of justice and of equality.

As a legislator I believe it is my duty to help make real here in Hawaii the hope expressed in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

Gary L. Hooser
Hawaii State Senator, Majority Leader
2010 Candidate - Lieutenant Governor

* Watch online video The Hooser Story http://www.garyhooser.com
FACEBOOK http://facebook.com/supportgaryhooser
TWITTER garyhooser

The economic winds are blowing hard against the bow of our state and stirring up a fierce and apparently relentless storm. The answer is to paddle together, not simply toss people out of the canoe.

Yes, we have to live within our means and yes, government services must be delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible. However the governor’s proposal for across the board layoffs, if allowed to go forward, would have significant and far-reaching negative impacts greatly exceeding any cost savings that might occur as a result.

We need to balance our state budget with a long term perspective—in a thoughtful and deliberative manner, using all of the tools at our disposal. Early retirement, attrition, deferred payments, special funds and user fees are just a few of the tools at hand. Technology to modernize and streamline the delivery of services must also be utilized. To do the job properly, with the maximum benefits and least amount of cost and disruption takes time. It is the nature of long term planning.

The governor unfortunately believes the task must be accomplished immediately and therein lies the problem. Decisions made in a panic mode are by nature conducted without adequate information and without proper discussion, resulting in a plethora of unintended consequences. The current situation with regards to agricultural inspectors is but one example of this. In the case of the State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, the proposed layoffs effectively cut millions of dollars in federal funds in order to achieve a $500,000 savings to the State budget.

Fear-based decision-making is just plain wrong.

The State Administration must take a deep breath, gather community leaders together from around the islands, then properly plan a strategy that will take our state forward in a measured and thoughtful manner. There must be a broad-based community discussion and a consensus built on what type of government we want and are willing to pay for.

Our community must decide what services we believe are essential and face up to the responsibility of paying for them. Is it acceptable to have our children attend 17 less days of school per year? Is it okay to leave our farmers stranded high and dry through layoffs of critical agricultural inspectors? Can we live without health inspectors checking our water and our food, or do we believe this is important and should be paid for? What about invasive species control? What about parks, airport and highway maintenance? Are libraries really important to us or should we simply shut them down? Would businesses rather pay the cost of higher unemployment rates or would they prefer a broader based tax increase shared by everyone?

The big fallacy about layoffs is that they create savings. In almost all situations they do not create savings, they merely shift and often actually increase costs.
Clearly there is a price to pay, one way or another. And clearly, simply throwing some of our friends and neighbors out of the canoe, is not the answer.

Gary L. Hooser
Hawaii State Senator, Majority Leader

* Official Senate contact: senhooser@capitol.hawaii.gov 808-586-6030
* Watch online video "The Hooser Story" http://www.garyhooser.com
* Hooser Blog and Friends of Gary Hooser http://www.garyhooser.com
FACEBOOK http://facebook.com/supportgaryhooser
TWITTER garyhooser

If you would like to be on the Friends of Gary Hooser Campaign E-Newsletter list - submit your name and contact information at http://www.garyhooser.com

Aloha,

On Public Policy And The Future - By Senator Gary Hooser
*Getting out of the rut - it is past time to refocus: It is far too easy to be consumed and literally dragged down by the negativity of the events currently engulfing our state. The uncertainty and the lack of clarity as to what lies on the horizon makes navigating these troubled waters all the more difficult. It is time to lift our heads, put our shoulders and our brains to the task and move past the siege mentality that currently hobbles both our state government and the private sector.
READ MORE (Hooser Blog http://www.garyhooser.com )

Energy and Environment Leaders Support Hooser

Jeff Mikulina - Statewide advocate on renewable energy and environmental issues
"As someone who has been active in advocating for Hawaii's sustainability for over a decade, I'm supporting Gary Hooser for Lt. Governor. Gary has earned my support through his honest, thoughtful, and smart approach to leadership and policymaking.

Gary makes bold decisions and sticks to his word. He's not afraid to make the tough political decisions that will benefit many--today and tomorrow. Gary is the type of leader that the next generation would choose if they could."

Kimo Frankel - long time advocate on environmental issues
"Kauai Senator Gary Hooser is principled, progressive, and productive---not your typical politician!

I've been burned in the past by many politicians. My years of lobbying for the Sierra Club, suing county officials and even working in government have shown me that there are not many people who can successfully navigate the system with integrity, intelligence and a progressive ideology. Gary Hooser is the kind of person we need at the statewide level here in Hawai`i."

The above statements of support are personal and individual in nature and do not represent the position of any organization whatsoever that the individuals may be affiliated with now or in the past.

*Watch “The Hooser Story” online video at www.garyhooser.com

*Follow us on Twitter (garyhooser) and become a friend on Facebook

FUNDRAISING
*Campaign spending reports are in: With the actual election still over one year away, the Friends of Gary Hooser campaign has raised over $47,000 with more than 330 people making individual donations!

*Our immediate campaign goal is to reach our first $100,000 with 1,000 individual donors contributing $25 to $100 each. You can help by mailing in your contribution today or donating online at http://www.garyhooser.com. Your help and support is much needed and greatly appreciated.

UPCOMING EVENTS
*MAUI: Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Velma Santos Wailuku Community Center - Ono Grinds, Live Entertainment $25 donation suggested donation - Contact Helen Nielsen oluolu@maui.net

* O'AHU: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 5:30 to 7:30 Pau Hana Event at the elegant and historical Pacific Club in downtown Honolulu. $150 suggested donation - Contact marialebron@ymail.com

Would you like to help by hosting a fundraiser or coffee hour? If so please contact Campaign Coordinator Maria Lebron at marialebron@ymail.com As always, your comments, suggestions and ideas are welcome. Please email me anytime at senatorhooser@gmail.com

Note: Contribution checks should be made to Friends of Gary Hooser and mailed to the address below. PayPal and Credit Card contributions are also welcome and can be made at http://www.garyhooser.com. Corporate contributions and funds from foreign nationals will not be accepted.

Gary Hooser
State Senator - Majority Leader
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

garylhooser@hotmail.com is the primary address to use for all purposes (personal, Loomis-ISC, and Campaign) except for official Senate communications.

* Official Senate contact: senhooser@capitol.hawaii.gov 808-586-6030
* Cell phone direct: 808-652-4279
* V.P. Loomis-ISC: Communications/Marketing http://www.loomis-isc.com
* Watch online video "The Hooser Story" http://www.garyhooser.com
* Hooser Blog and Friends of Gary Hooser http://www.garyhooser.com
This message is a personal, private and unofficial communication.

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.

The most recent effort by Lenny Klompus to make Governor Lingle look good and her critics look bad took the form of a hit piece on me in the The Garden Island newspaper (5/23/09)http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2009/05/23/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/doc4a17b49c974ed865392649.txt If nothing else, Mr. Klompus is to be commended for consistency: he is so thoroughly in step with the tone and modus operandi of other Republican voices like Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney.

If Mr. Klompus really wants to know what my platform is or what I have accomplished in the legislature, he should simply visit http://www.garyhooser.com Or, he could ask any of the good people around our state who are actively involved in public policy development and advocacy in the areas of education, energy, environment, health and human services, agriculture and/or water/land issues. They will tell him that not only am I a staunch and effective advocate, but that I have been the primary sponsor of numerous pieces of original legislation in each of these areas. These same hard-working people engaged in constructive efforts on multiple fronts critical to Hawaii’s future might also remind him that I was the primary sponsor of a recently passed “first in the nation” law requiring the installation of energy-efficient hot water systems on all new residential construction.

It is apparently my critique of the Governor’s style, which got Mr. Klompus going on his tirade. His language does her and her high office no service.

Unlike the Governor, I learned long ago that to be effective one must be inclusive and one must learn to give credit to others.

“My” accomplishments would not have been possible without the help and participation of many others. The ideas came mostly from members of the community and the success of the legislation came about because of support from my colleagues in the House and Senate. My style is to bring in partners, build a collaborative effort, do the hard work and achieve the desired goal first, then host the press conference afterwards to celebrate and give credit where it is due. The Governor’s style is to first host the press conference to celebrate her idea and initiative, then attempt to push her plan/program through the process, and should the initiative falter, blame those who were not part of her cheer-leading team from the start.

I truly believe our state has the potential to dramatically increase its energy and food independence which would have immediate dramatic and positive economic development impacts. With more qualified teachers in the classroom and a reduced central state bureaucracy we can significantly improve public education. I also believe that no student should be denied a college education because of his or her inability to afford the tuition.

Protecting and nurturing our natural environment, increasing our energy and food independence and improving and expanding opportunities in education will result in a strong, vibrant and diversified economy. This is my platform, and it is not rocket science. The ideas and program models are there and the underlying principles have been tested and proven.

Success is achievable but it will take leadership, a new and genuinely collaborative way of conducting business and an unwavering commitment to core principles. Nationally and locally, the Republican rant, unmoored from reality, is getting old. Mr. Klompus may not have noticed, but there is a new President in the White House, one whose commitment to civility in discourse and making words matter, is worth emulating. If Mr. Klompus is serious about his career in communications and about serving the office of Governor with the dignity it deserves, he should take notes.

Gary L. Hooser
http://www.garyhooser.com
Watch "The Hooser Story" online video

Gary Hooser is the Majority Leader of the Senate. He is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2010.