Gary Hooser

Gary L. Hooser
Member of the Hawaii Senate
from the 7th district
In office
2002–2010
Member of the Kauaʻi County Council
In office
1998–2002
Personal details
Born January 19, 1954
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Claudette
Residence Waialua Homesteads, Kauaʻi
Alma mater University of Hawaii–West Oahu
Occupation politician
Website Friends of Gary Hooser

Gary Hooser (born January 19, 1954) is the former State Senate Majority Leader representing Kauaʻi and Niʻihau since 2002. He formerly served on the Kauaʻi County Council for 4 years before becoming a Senator.

In the Summer of 2010, Hooser resigned his Senate seat to run for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi.[1][2] He was defeated on September 18, 2010 in the democratic primary by Brian Schatz.[3]

Background

Gary Hooser and his wife, Claudette, have two children: Kelli-Rose and Dylan Hooser. He has lived on Kaua'i for more than 30 years. His son, Dylan Hooser, is currently running for political office as Kauai State House Representative for District 15. Hooser graduated from Radford High School in 1972, and then the Hawaiʻi Entrepreneur Training and Development Institute. He went on to graduate from Kauaʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi--West Oʻahu with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.

Gary Hooser has lived through two hurricanes, survived the challenges of running a small business, and has been an active politician in the state of Hawaiʻi.[4]

Political career

Gary Hooser has been active in the community for many years serving in a variety of capacities for numerous community organizations including renewable energy, shoreline access, affordable housing, and agriculture. He previously also served two terms on the Kauaʻi County Council, before becoming state Senator in 2002. Serving in the State Senate, Gary Hooser represented the 7th Senatorial District, which includes the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. As the majority leader and member of the Committee on Ways and Means, he held one of the top leadership positions in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. Hooser was a member of the Energy and Environment Committee and also previously Co-Chaired the Senate Affordable Housing Task Force. Hooser, as the incumbent in 2004, defeated former Kauaʻi Mayor Maryanne Kusaka to retain his seat [4]

Accomplishments

One of Hooser's most notable accomplishments introducing and passing into law the nation's first solar hot water heating system requirement for new homes.[5] Hooser was the only elected official, of 18 asked, who said, “yes” to supporting Defend Oahu Coalition’s “Keep the Country, Country” campaign.[6] Hooser was the first legislator to speak out against the furloughs and proposed its solution to utilize Hurricane Funds, which was ultimately used by Governor Lingle in May 2010.[7][8] Hooser was also the leading advocate in the Hawaiʻi State Senate for the Civil Unions Bill- HB444 [9][10]

2010 Campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

In 2009, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi.[2]

Various statewide agencies and unions have endorsed Hooser's candidacy for Lieutenant Governor, including:

Business career

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Dela Cruz quits mayoral run, joins Senate race - Hawaii News". Staradvertiser.com. 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Paul C. Curtis - The Garden Island (2010-07-16). "Hooser resigns, has to wait to Monday to file lt. gov. papers". Thegardenisland.com. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  3. ↑ "Schatz, Finnegan take primaries for Hawaii lieutenant governor - Hawaii News". Staradvertiser.com. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Senate Members". Capitol.hawaii.gov. 1954-01-19. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  5. ↑ "SB390.DOC". Capitol.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  6. ↑ "Defend Oahu Coalition". Defend Oahu Coalition. 2006-01-23. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  7. ↑ "Dead Last: Hawaii Gets an "F" in Education". t r u t h o u t. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  8. ↑ Eagle, Nathan (2009-11-16). "Lingle unveils plan to end school furloughs". Thegardenisland.com. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  9. ↑ "Lingle vetoes civil unions bill - Hawaii News". Staradvertiser.com. 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  10. ↑ "6]". Prayhawaii.org. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  11. ↑ "Hawaii Sierra Club endorsing Hanabusa, Hirono and Hooser - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  12. ↑ "HSTA endorses Gary Hooser for lieutenant governor - The Hawaii Independent :€Â" News · Culture · Community". The Hawaii Independent. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  13. ↑ "Local 5 endorses Kauai Senator Gary Hooser for Lt. Governor | KHON2 Hawaii's News Channel". Khon2.com. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  14. ↑ "Hawaii nurses endorse Hooser in Hawaii LG race - "experience you can count on" - iContact Community". Community.intellicontact.com. 2010-03-22. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  15. ↑ Hooser’s LG Campaign Gathering Momentum: Sierra Club’s Latest Endorsement « The Hooser Hui
  16. ↑ "Labor Endorses Hooser". Aloha Politics. 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  17. ↑ "Hawaii Progressives target Gabbard, express "enthusiasm" for molester’s buddy Rep. Joe Bertram > Hawaii Free Press > Articles Main". Hawaii Free Press. 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  18. ↑ "Got Windmills?: Vote For Gary Hooser For Lt. Governor". Parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  19. ↑ "Friends of Gary Hooser - Photo Album". Garyhooser.com. Retrieved 2010-09-18.

External links