Political party Democratic Role Political leader Occupation politician Spouse Claudette Hooser | Website Friends of Gary Hooser Party Democratic Party Name Gary Hooser | |
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Born January 19, 1954 (age 70) ( 1954-01-19 ) Residence Waialua Homesteads, Kauaʻi Alma mater University of Hawaii–West Oahu Education Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School, University of Hawaii–West Oahu | ||
Pono Hawaii Initiative With Gary Hooser
Gary Hooser (born January 19, 1954) is a politician and 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.
Contents
- Pono Hawaii Initiative With Gary Hooser
- Background
- Political career
- Accomplishments
- 2010 Campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
- Business career
- References
In the summer of 2010, Hooser resigned his Senate seat to run for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi. He was defeated on September 18, 2010 in the Democratic primary by Brian Schatz. He currently serves on the Kaua'i County Council.
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 Kauaʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi--West Oʻahu 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 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
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 Defend Oahu Coalition’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:
Business career
Awards