Gary Hooser

Gary Hooser is the board president of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action and the executive director of the Pono Hawaii Initiative.
Hawaii鈥檚 House Speaker Has Way, Way Too Much Power David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaii鈥檚 House Speaker Has Way, Way Too Much Power

But a few straightforward rule changes would vastly improve transparency and thus accountability.

Why Did A State Senator Skip The Scott Glenn Confirmation Vote? Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

Why Did A State Senator Skip The Scott Glenn Confirmation Vote?

Joy San Buenaventura was nowhere to be found the day her colleagues deadlocked over the contested gubernatorial nominee.

Corruption By Any Other Name Is Still Corruption Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

Corruption By Any Other Name Is Still Corruption

Allowing committee chairs the sole power to decide whether to hear a bill, to pass a bill or to kill a bill invites corruption — both illegal and legal.

Five Ways To Make The Hawaii Legislature More Accountable Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Five Ways To Make The Hawaii Legislature More Accountable

Gutting 鈥済ut and replace鈥 for good is just the first place to start reforming the legislative process.

Hawaii Needs You To Run For Office Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Needs You To Run For Office

We can make real change but only if we show up.

Dan Gluck’s Confirmation Process Showed What Democracy Looks Like Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Dan Gluck’s Confirmation Process Showed What Democracy Looks Like

Every governing body, whether elected or appointed, needs to reflect the community it represents.

We Need Housing, Education And Health Care More Than Radar Missile Defense Agency

We Need Housing, Education And Health Care More Than Radar

It鈥檚 well past time for the United States to spend less on militarization 鈥 including an already obsolete $1.9 billion project planned for Hawaii.

Hypocrisy In Hawaii’s House Of Representatives Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Hypocrisy In Hawaii’s House Of Representatives

How can legislators justify giving themselves a raise when they refuse to hold hearings on increasing the minimum wage?

Hawaii’s Legislators Should Act Boldly In The Upcoming Session Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii’s Legislators Should Act Boldly In The Upcoming Session

Thinking globally and acting locally is the key to staying sane and getting positive things done.