Gary Hooser


Gary L. Hooser is an American politician and the former State Senate Majority Leader representing Kauaʻi and Niʻihau since 2002. He formerly served on the Kauai 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 Hawaii. He was defeated on September 18, 2010 in the Democratic primary by Brian Schatz. He served on the Kaua'i County Council from 2014-2016 until defeated by Mason Chock. Hooser currently is president of Hawaii' Alliance for Progressive Action advocacy group.

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. Hooser graduated from Radford High School in 1972, followed by the Hawaiʻi Entrepreneur Training and Development Institute. He went on to graduate from Kauai Community College and the University of Hawaii--West Oahu with a bachelor's degree in public administration.

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 a 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 , he held one of the top leadership positions in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. Hooser was a member of the 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

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. Hooser was the only elected official, of 18 asked, who said, “yes” to supporting ’s “Keep the Country, Country” campaign. 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. Hooser was also the leading advocate in the Hawaiʻi State Senate for the Civil Unions Bill HB444.

2010 Campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii

In 2009, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi.
Various statewide agencies and unions endorsed Hooser's candidacy for Lieutenant Governor, including:
Awards