Monday, June 20, 2016

Musings: Running Dry

Councilman Gary Hooser is running scared.

Though who can blame him? Especially now that Derek Kawakami has entered the race, thus ensuring one incumbent will not get re-elected.  

And that's awfully worrisome for da Hoos, considering how he barely squeaked into last place in the last election:
So when you're frightened of losing both your income and your last thin shred of credibility, what do you do? Well, if you're devoid of any morality, like Hooser, you wage a pre-emptive attack: 
Kauai peeps?

Of course, it's not actually true. There is no “industry bloc.” Just six individual candidates who don't happen to share Hooser's paranoia over modern agriculture.

But truth is irrelevant. All that matters is provoking a Pavlovian response in his sheeple supporters:
It didn't take long before his red shirts revealed their true colors with some shockingly ugly comments, which Hooser hastily purged, before editing his own post:

Yes, don't personally denigrate these candidates. Denigrate them as as group, like Hooser does. It's so much more efficient.

Of course, there were a few thinking folks in the thread who called bullshit, even though they were immediately attacked:
The industry didn't actually put together that bloc in 2014, either. It was a combination of business and agricultural interests that were fed up with the demagogues. They used their votes as individual citizens to get rid of Tim Bynum and Jay Furfaro.

And Gary knows he's next. Even though he is totally devoid of self-awareness:
Oh, no, it's not talking bad about other candidates to tarnish them with the false accusation that they're puppets of the seed industry that Hooser and his minions are trying to destroy. 

But it's true — the numbers will speak for themselves. And it's my prediction that Hooser won't get back in. So he's already setting it up to cry and whine and whimper that the big bad seed industry ganged up to get him out. 

Uh, no, Gary, it will be your fellow Kauai citizens who sound the death knell for your political career, and not nobody else.

I especially loved the outcry from Gary and others over running a bloc:
Yes, isn't there a way to stop Hooser from illegally using his nonprofit, HAPA, to train and champion candidates through the Kuleana Academy? 

Candidates like Tiare Lawrence, the Maui House candidate who weighed in (see her hypocritical "vote pono" comment above) when she's part of a bloc being supported by the Kuleana Coalition, which touts the fact that it accepts anonymous donations:
Of course, it's OK when the regressive "progressives" do it because they're good. But the corporations (aside from the ones that fund the red shirts' nonprofits and campaigns ) are evil, and must be held to a different, higher standard.

Yet for all their self-righteousness, and claims of indignation, they are totally oblivious to the lies and shenanigans of their beloved Hoos:
Yes, it so shocking to see how many folks remain blind to Hooser's dirty tricks and demagoguery, and all the damage he's caused in this community. 

But as the old saying goes, there are none so blind as those who will not see.

82 comments:

Anonymous said...

He's making excuses for his poor showing last time and preparing his minions for what might be his swan song.

Anonymous said...

Gary is very good at one thing. Dividing the community. Here we go again. His post attempts to divide the community once again. The six banners are on private property, owned by a local couple that has absolutely no connection with the ag industry. They have a right to support any candidate(s) of their choosing. Gary is acting like a child. What a whiner. Really starting to remind me of Bynum. Always playing the victim.

He is hoping that people forget about his appalling behavior during the last election. He played the same games. Furfaro and Bynum cried about not being part of the super 6. They lost. Is Gary the next to go? Will he resort to even lower depths to try to win this election? His character shines through quite clearly. He is a self-serving, egotistical individual. He cares about one thing only........HIMSELF. We will see how the people really feel about him.

Anonymous said...

All Council candidates advance thru the Primary.
As November rolls closer, there will be tricks galore.
The problem is, the Hoos is a one issue candidate in this election. Maybe two, sometimes as befits his need for voted he will come out against a tax increase.
Over the years Gary has been a rabid anti with PMRF, Hotels and gee whiz...he was also TOTALLY against that little Country Store up in Wailua at Kuamoo and 581. Now we see that this store saves traffic and is not the Safeway type that Gary told us it would be.
Of course, I think Gary may have had a little talking to on the Country Store and changed his mind, before he walked home and changed his newly smeared kaka pants.
Doo-doo pants hypocrite.
He has been against most housing except for the houses he built as a developer and he is for hard core tax collections unless they are his own taxes that are being collected.
You judge a man by his actions. We do not see Gary's main publicity tool The Garden Island ding research on Gary's past, but they sure use him as theri poster boy. Is there a connection with Da Hoos and the GI?

Anonymous said...

Gary incites others to do his dirty work. He starts the fire, knowing exactly what will happen next, then sits back and watches the fallout. What he doesn't realize is that there were many more voters that voted for the 6 candidates than voted for him. He is too stupid to realize that this type of campaigning doesn't go well here on Kauai. Yes, the transplants all try to fuel the fire but they are few. He is causing more harm to his campaign than he even realizes.

I expect him to play dirty politics. That's how he is. He can't help it. Look at how he managed his 2491 bill. Look at how he continues to spew garbage about his one issue campaign. Look at how he relies on scare tactics to move his agenda. What will he do when the court of appeals rule against his movement? What will he do when he loses the election? I guess we will find out soon enough.

Anonymous said...

The poster boys for The Garden Island during the last election was Bynum and Furfaro. Need I say more?

Anonymous said...

It would be nice if Gary were actually FOR something. (Being for a bill that's against an industry doesn't count.)
He's against GMO, against even rational use of pesticides, against other candidates (to the point of publicizing them on his own FB page--what's that about?), against tourism, against small retail.
You can be a political demolition man, but at some point grown-ups need to build things, not just tear them down. We need solutions, not thrown sticks of dynamite.

Anonymous said...

Joan you know that DOW's Stephanie Iona and husband and police commissioner Charlie led the chemical company slate last time and are at it again this time. Why do you cover up for them?

Joan Conrow said...

@9:25. So you're saying that if Stephanie and Charlie as individual citizens support candidates, that's an industry voting bloc? Really? Paranoid, much?

Anonymous said...

Stephanie and Charlie have been involved in civic life and bettering their community for many years before Stephanie went to work for Dow. They don't just sit on the internet all day complaining, they get out there and work for the people they believe in.

Anonymous said...

Hooser and his groupies are condescending, like the workers will vote however they're told. Hello, they have their own minds!!

Anonymous said...

Gary knows when he loses there won't be a county job waiting for him like Jay got.

Anonymous said...

ummm you might want to check your facts (again) Joan. I don't think HAPA is connected at all to the Kuleana Coalition. This appears to be a group from Maui that have coopted the name in support of only Maui candidates.

Anonymous said...

Joan, do these people know that the property that these signs are on belong to private citizens that have no connection to agriculture companies? Does Gary believe that union endorsements should not be allowed as well? Maybe because he doesn't get any endorsements. What the heck is the difference? His actions are deplorable, and definitely not consistent with being a leader for any organization, especially the Council. How does he plan to work with the other members of the Council? I guess he's not interested in working with others, only that he can move his agenda forward.

Charlie Iona said...

9:25 AM - To set the record straight, the 2014 elections were based on my personal choice of candidates for council. The method used has been in existence in larger elections. When we give a list of names who we think will best serve the community, having a community background and working the beat you hear everyones desire and all I did was share this on a larger platform. This had nothing to do with the agricultural companies. And because I have done this kind of monitoring before on Oahu during the elections season, the first two print outs on Kauai in 2014 had the candidates of choice ahead. Where we lost was on a the third print out which means the communities that are actively involved we just have to work a little harder this time. That's all it is. So when you associate a person to a company and so forth, is this like association by guilt? I hope that is not you. Because if you were Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, or African American, it would be rude of me to associate you with those ethnic backgrounds that may have a history of disturbances even though you may be that race. I would therefore look upon as an individual. I hope you would do the same but I cannot change your way of thinking. I take pride in working hard in getting our communities ahead.

Charlie Iona said...

9:25 AM - To set the record straight, the 2014 elections were based on my personal choice of candidates for council. The method used has been in existence in larger elections. When we give a list of names who we think will best serve the community, having a community background and working the beat you hear everyones desire and all I did was share this on a larger platform. This had nothing to do with the agricultural companies. And because I have done this kind of monitoring before on Oahu during the elections season, the first two print outs on Kauai in 2014 had the candidates of choice ahead. Where we lost was on a the third print out which means the communities that are actively involved we just have to work a little harder this time. That's all it is. So when you associate a person to a company and so forth, is this like association by guilt? I hope that is not you. Because if you were Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, or African American, it would be rude of me to associate you with those ethnic backgrounds that may have a history of disturbances even though you may be that race. I would therefore look upon as an individual. I hope you would do the same but I cannot change your way of thinking. I take pride in working hard in getting our communities ahead.

Joan Conrow said...

You may wish to check your reading comprehension (again) Anonymous 12:12. I never said that HAPA is connected to the Kuleana Coalition. I said that one of HAPA's Kuleana Academy grads is part of a bloc supported by the totally nontrasparent Kuleana Coalition.

Anonymous said...

It’s always titillating to have an apologist for Gary Hooser, Kauai’s #1 buttlicker of Center for Food Safety, Pesticide Action Network of North America, Surfrider Foundation, Earthjustice and all the other outside influences in our mix here. He and his good buddies have run up a tab of well over half a million dollars on our charge account ($50K WCMS Stinkweed, $175K for Joint Fact Finding Fiasco, up to $250K appropriation for federal court bills, untold Council Services and Police overtime for his sideshows.) Pretty soon you’re talking real money, and his useless CFS toadying cost us about $60 for every vote he got in 2014. In the words of Marjorie Bronster to the 9th Circuit panel on the Maui appeal “ you must realize that GE plants and the parties here have been together in Maui for decades and yet they have not demonstrated or asserted any specific injury that would be redressed by this ordinance”. Same would go for Kauai. It’s time for him to find another trade that we don’t have to pay through the nose for. Why would anyone want any more of him?

Anonymous said...

So uncle Charlie it's just a coincidence that your wife is government relations manager for DowAgroScience and all the candidates you opposed were pro 2491 and all the candidates you support are against 2491? Guess it's a coincidence also that your slate includes a Syngenta employee?

Joan Conrow said...

@1:12. Stephanie and Charlie supporting certain candidates does not translate into an industry bloc. By that reasoning, no seed company worker could ever publicly support a candidate, much less run for office. Why should they lose that right because Hooser wants to cast aspersions?


Anonymous said...

I heard from the grapevine that Gary was endorsed by the HGEA. Can someone verify this for me? If so, will he be turning down the endorsement? Or is the HGEA's slate okay because he's on it? Gary, maybe you can answer this for us. Also, tell us how you plan to work with colleagues that you tried to trash in your Facebook posts. I don't think you'll respond but I wanted to give you the courtesy to defend your actions. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Charlie and Stephanie have given back more to the community of Kauai that Hooser, Bynum, and Furfaro combined. That's a fact. To discredit this fine couple is not only ridiculous, but so unappreciative.

Anonymous said...

What about the BS Hooser pulled when he pulled in Mason Chock on the council? Hooser knew he was going to loose the vote for 2491 and backdoored Chock right in. GOOD RIDDANCE TO HOOSER, CHOCK, AND YUKIMURA!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is a bit off topic, but I have come to believe there is some truth to the accusation that activists do raise the alarms to generate funding for themselves, instead of based on empirical data. Although I will forever distrust Dupont or Dow, I am much more likely to distrust the activists too - knowing they butter their bread on this stuff. Like politics, I conclude that both sides suck.

In reading about today's Senate vote, I realized the NRA is doing the same thing as the activists. Always sounding the alarm that anyone who tries to limit gun sales to mentally ill people, or people on psych drugs, or terrorists is hell-bent on repealing the 2nd Amendment. The NRA acts like the antis.

Charlie Iona said...

Dear 1:12 PM,

I observed your comment is referencing 2491. My selection of candidates are my choices for Council whom I believe will unite Kauai. My selection includes Arryl Kaneshiro, Derek Kawakami, and KipuKai Kualii who were not on the Council during 2491 so what does 2491 have to do with this? And as for the Syngenta employee who I chose for Council, he too was not on the Council at the time of 2491. If he wasn't an employee of Syngenta I would still vote for him. So as you can see my choice of candidates for Council are from a vast mix of candidates across Kauai. I hope you can appreciate my answer as I appreciate your question.

Anonymous said...

HGEA endorses based on the individual, not a slate (they actually endorsed 8 council candidates so that should make that clear). Yes, Hooser is one of the 8.

Anonymous said...

Get rid of the good ol boys and gals on Kauai council. We need fresh new people. Lame ducks didn't do anything this past 2 years.

Anonymous said...

Trina Horner calling Gary out on FB! Freaking hilarious! Gary has to go and slither away like the snake in the grass that he is...

Kauai will be better off without his political BS.

Anonymous said...

Kauai is an incredibly special little paradise on this planet.

Fortunately there are concerned individuals who are willing to question whether some of the activities of the seed companies may be negatively impacting Kauai and her people.

Maybe we should believe that the poisons used aren't TOO bad for us but we should wonder why the citizens of 30 countries have banned these guys including the countries that manufacture the poisons used.

Bill 2491 was pretty simple how much poisons used and when?
Why all the drama?

Money.

and the tantalizing effect it has on people

Anonymous said...

Some countries don't allow women to vote or drive. Should we ban those activities just because other countries do? If you think BASF and Syngenta don't sell chemicals in their own nations your are kidding yourself.

Re:2491 -- through the good neighbor program we know what pesticides are sprayed, when and how much. Why is there still drama? You answered it yourself: money. The activist groups make money off their anti campaigns.

Anonymous said...

Since it was found that urban uses of pesticides is rampant, hotels use of pesticides is rampant, golf courses use 10 times more pesticides than agriculture does...shouldn't they all have to leave paradise? Please tell us why the use of pesticides by the seed industry is the only use that bothers you?

Anonymous said...

Maybe you should pose that question to the knowledgeable citizens of those 30 countries that have banned these guys yet still have golf courses.... and by the way allow women to vote and drive

Anonymous said...

6:04 as we well know, it's not about pesticides; it's about GMOs. If it were about pesticides then they would be whining about residential and other commercial uses of pesticides which are far, far bigger users of them than the seed companies. But to admit that, even though they know it, undermines their anti-GMO argument. Total hypocracy.

Anonymous said...

Somebody, please answer comments left by "June 21, 2016 at 6:04 AM." Why not golf courses? Resort areas? Please, please, please. Somebody answer these questions. No reporting and no buffer zones. Why is Gary okay with these applications? I know that Gary reads this blog. Why can't he answer some of these questions? Simple, because it reveals the hypocrite that he really is.

Anonymous said...

Gary posted a picture of a clear violation of Kauai's leash law at the Wailua river mouth. He takes his unleashed dog to a public area and says,

"Hanging out with Maximous Aurelious and Claudette at the mouth of the river. Note: It is my understanding that obedience training without a leash is allowed ;). Needless to say no other human or animal is within 100 yards."

The law says,

When used in this Article, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning given in this Section unless it shall be apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
“At large” means:
(1) On the premises of a person other than the owner of the dog without consent of an occupant of such premises; or
(2) On a public street, on public or private school grounds, or in any other public place, except when under the control of the owner by leash, cord, chain or other similar means of physical restraint, provided that such leash, cord, chain or other means is not more than eight (8) feet in length.

Sec. 22-2.3 Strays Prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether the dog is licensed or not, to permit or cause the dog to become a stray. (Ord. No. 255, June 16, 1975; Sec. 22-2.3, R.C.O. 1976; Sec. 22-2.3, 1978 Cumulative Supplement; Ord. No. 870, August 27, 2008)

Sec. 22-2.6 Applicability; Exceptions.
The provisions of this Article shall not apply to:
(a) Seeing eye dogs trained to assist blind persons when such dogs are actually being used by blind persons for the purpose of aiding them in going from place to place; or
(b) Dogs trained and used by County, State and Federal law enforcement agencies in law enforcement work while such dogs are engaged in the performance of such work; or
(c) Hunting dogs when accompanied by their owner on public or private hunting or shooting ground; or
(d) Obedience trial, tracking and show dogs accompanied by their owner and being trained or in competition in public parks or school grounds, provided permission is first obtained from the proper park or school authorities for such use. (Ord. No. 255, June 16, 1975; Sec. 22-2.5, R.C.O. 1976; Ord. No. 332, November 3, 1977; Sec. 22-2.5, 1978 Cumulative Supplement; Ord. No. 870, August 27, 2008)

So as you can see, he is not exempt from the law. This wasn't obedience training and he didn't get permission from anyone. He must have been informed after the post that he was in violation of the law because he later posts,

"The leash law does need to be reviewed and amended. There needs to be provision for dogs to run and play on the beach or in the mountains, so long as other people are not present and the poop is picked up."

Another example of Gary looking out for himself. You want to change the law to suit you? Really? I hope KPD or DLNR takes some action against this blatant violation of the law. No Gary, you are not above the law.

Anonymous said...

12:06 go move to one of those 30 countries you fricking idiot. The County had no business ignoring a 70 page county attorney opinion by Mauna Kea Trask regarding Bill 2491. The Bill is and forever will be INVALiID you fricking idiots. The 5 council people who listened to idiots like your were Hooser, Chock, Yukimura, Bynum, and Furfaro. The worst decision of all time on Kauai. Get these clowns out for good!

Anonymous said...

Was this the Fabulous Five? Now known as the Terrible Three?

Anonymous said...

Gary Hooser lacks the uniformity of arguments when he starts to target the issue of pesticides. I for one am not a fan of pesticides but in reading some of these comments good reasonings have been mentioned. Why go after seed companies only? Why not golf courses? State and County operations? Private residential uses? My only explanation is these entities have large voter bases. When Gary first tried implementing the the bill to regulate GMO's and pesticide usages on Kauai he attached a clause whereby wanting to charge the seed companies large sums of money to implement and pay for studies on a continual basis. The seed companies are private entities. Now could he implement a charging system to the County or State? Probably not. Could he do it to the citizens of Kauai? Definitely not. So in my estimation it's all about revenue generation. His continued bashing of seed companies has converted me somewhat into taking a Pro GMO supporter even though I'm against the seed companies on some issues. It definitely appears Gary is on his way out and I feel bad about that but he is only bringing it on to himself. My daughters tell me that he is a man consumed only about himself that he forgets the big picture sometimes.

Anonymous said...

@7:45 am -

Great research and observations. Your concluding statements are spot on. Hooser is not about the law and he should know better. Thank you whoever you are who shared this write up.

Anonymous said...

Referring to Kauai's kupuna and citizens that are concerned about the long term poisoning of her people and lands as idiots is not pono
When I see comments like those I think 'industry shill'

Anonymous said...

When I see comments like 8:20 I think "red shirt."

Anonymous said...

Yes! Hang him from the highest tree! The audacity that he would let his puppy swim in the river without a leash! Auwe!

Anonymous said...

Perhaps "Maximous Aurelious", of the grand bastardized Latin name,is above the law. And perhaps we will now be treated to a Nixonesque post on the base affront to the Imperial pooch's dignity. Do as I say says Gary who may share Imperial blood with Maximous.

Anonymous said...

He'll get away with it. And he'll continue to do it because he "knows" he can. Remember, do as I say, not as I do. The laws don't apply to Gary Hooser. What we need to do is share this with everyone we know. Make it a campaign issue as he has done with the "Super Six." I hope Joan can get the pictures of his posts before he removes them. If he hasn't already.

Anonymous said...

Yes make a campaign issue out of it! Hooser let's puppy run on beach and swim in river! OMFG! Maybe Mel or Ross will take up the call and report him to the puppy police! hahahahahahah You guys are fucking idiots.

Joan Conrow said...

As always, the Hooser apologists are on the troll....

Anonymous said...

Great post again, Joan! WRT to Stephanie and Charlie, know them personally and find both very caring and very public-oriented. Their personal choices should not be subject to attack or conjecture. As for HGEA endorsement of Hooser for council, it's hilarious because the union had eight candidates for it which only seats seven. But, you'll never know how he'll use that. See he is pleading on this venue for people to place his bumper sticker on their cars. Finally, he has spewed so much bullshit that he is about to drown in it.

Dinkydao

Anonymous said...


I wonder if Hooser has a mom or a man as a father? Cause I don't think this guy has a conscience , or cares about anything but himself!

And to those that will stick with this guy till the end??? I wonder the same thing about them.

Sounds awfull, but I do wonder that.

If it sounds like I'm insulting people's parents, I am. In real life I really don't know people this ugly and so ready to do whatever it takes for personal gain.

If your a young person wanting a fight,,, be rightious and do what's right in your heart. Plenty of things to stand for ,,, but this guy will ditch you when the going gets tough... And it will. Facebook Never forgets.

Anonymous said...

10:03 How do you spin Hooser's Tax evasion? You love him so much, explain that one?

Anonymous said...

(Joan- It seems this comment didnʻt go through the first time. Hopefully this time works! Mahalo!)>>>>>> When I see comments like 8:21 I think "blue shirt." No, just joking! Red and blue divide, purple unites. Poisons affect all of us- red, blue, purple, black, yellow, brown, pink. Poisons are now showing up in our bodies and the bodies of our children. Of course, the chemical companies which produce these poisons say not to worry. They tell us that these pesticides which are showing up in our blood and organs are not dangerous at all. Of course, we should believe them instead of paying attention to our own individual intelligence and research. Chemical companies are like those pharmaceutical companies and doctors who promote certain medicines that make us sicker and fail to address the cause of the problem. And woe be to anyone who questions the authority or claims made by these companies. They will always trample such opinions, claiming that they know better than the public. Personally, I do not care for a future which requires my grandchildren to harbor more and more pesticides and poisons within their beautiful bodies. Somehow, I just cannot bring myself to believe that these poisons are healthy and good for our bodies, in spite of what the mega-corporations say. Does that make me and other concerned kupuna and citizens "red shirts"? I donʻt think so. 8:21 is using the "red shirt" label to divide and stigmatize those who are concerned about the poisons and pesticides which are rapidly taking up residence in our bodies and the bodies of our keiki. Listen to the keiki. They are smart enough to know that glyphosate from roundup being discovered in blood, urine and hair samples is not a good situation when considering personal health.

Anonymous said...

@10:03, How about we call the puppy "Taximous Dodgemous".

Anonymous said...

@11:00

Where is the evidence, aside from Gary's allegations, that prove your statements? I'm curious. All the scientific studies clearly show the opposite.

Joan Conrow said...

@11 -- Nobody is saying that poisons are fine and not to worry. Everybody -- the companies that manufacture them and the agencies that review and regulate them -- understand that they can pose risks at certain exposures. You make a lot of generalizations, and I'm not sure whether it's intentional, or due to ignorance.

The issue on Kauai, and elsewhere in Hawaii, is whether people actually are being exposed to "poisons" from agricultural uses, and if so, whether that exposure is occurring at levels great enough to cause harm. So far nothing points to either scenario. Yet you persist in your fears.

The other issue is why you, and others, have such great concern about agricultural chemicals, but express no concern about pesticides used by others, as well as the chemicals ubiquitous in modern life, in products unique from hair dye to fire retardant fabrics.

I also find it questionable that you take issue only with the use of "red shirt," but say nothing about the divisive label of "industry shill," which is used with abandon to try and discredit anyone who hasn't drunk the sky-is-falling flavor of Kool-Aid.

Anonymous said...


Oh 10:45,

Yep we haven't even started with his tax evasion. Now is a good as time as any I suppose!!. Gary, that thorny issue isn't going away. And rest assured , we will remind the voters about your malfeance.

Remember when uncomfortable subjects like that would just go away??? Them days are over Hooser, and I bet a whole bunch of new voters need reminding!!! And we will remind Hoose!!

Anonymous said...

Excellent article here from Argentina, with educational information about glyphosate and pesticide use in Argentina. "Widespread GM soybean cultivation and accompanying pesticide spraying is wreaking havoc on the health of millions Dr Medardo Ávila-Vázquez.Dr Medardo Ávila-Vázquez, a pediatrician and neonatologist at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Argentina is the coordinator of the Physicians of Crop-Sprayed Towns, a University Network for Environment and Health that campaigns against agrochemical spraying and provides medical treatment to villages suffering from illnesses as a result of agrochemical exposure. Since noticing the health of his patients deteriorate and patterns of illness change, he has campaigned tirelessly for the protection of local people, particularly children who are some of the worst affected." Read the whole article here- http://www.i-sis.org.uk/Devastating_Impacts_of_Glyphosate_Argentina.php

Anonymous said...

Joan why do you let people talk about hooser's alleged transgressions but you protect Mel, Ross, Brun, Kawakami? They all have much worse things in their closet than paying your taxes late 20 years ago and letting your puppy swim in the river. Your hate for hooser is impacting your character as a journalist. Equal time for everyones dirty laundry don't you think? Why do you protect the others?

Anonymous said...

Joan says, "You persist in your fears." Joan, exactly what do you say to a Kauaʻi resident whose child is found to have 36 pesticides in a hair sample? Will you berate them for feeling fearful and worried for their child? Will you tell them not to worry? That such pesticides in their childʻs body are perfectly safe?

Joan Conrow said...

@12:10 Are you the Kauai resident whose child has 36 pesticides in a hair sample? If not, then let Malia Chun ask me herself.

Anonymous said...

Joan, I am 11:00 and I humbly request that you do not make assumptions that are not true and stick more to facts. You said, "The other issue is why you, and others, have such great concern about agricultural chemicals, but express no concern about pesticides used by others, as well as the chemicals ubiquitous in modern life, in products unique from hair dye to fire retardant fabrics." Not once in my comment did I mention the word "agriculture." My concern is for ALL poisons and chemicals which show up in my body and the bodies of my children, and for you to imply otherwise is completely false. Better not to assume what others are thinking without asking them first.

Anonymous said...

12:13 Joan, OK. Perhaps a change in the question? How would YOU feel, if you found 36 pesticides in YOUR OWN childʻs hair sample? What would YOU say to YOUR child?

Joan Conrow said...

@11 am E kala mai. I stand corrected. It's just that I never, ever see any references to chemicals other than those used by agriculture.

As for refraining from making assumptions that are not true and sticking more to the facts, well, that would pretty much gut your 11 a.m. comment.

@ 12:24 -- First, I would double check the hair sample against blood and urine samples. If the blood and/or urine samples confirmed the presence of 36 pesticides, I would ask a medical doctor whether those pesticides were present at harmful levels. If they were, I'd ask the doctor to recommend a course of treatment. My first priority would be making sure the child was healthy, not using him/her to advance a political agenda by creating a media spectacle.

Anonymous said...


Dear 12:06, dontcha worry we will blast em all my friend..plenty of stinky britches till November.

Everyone of em causes me to grind teeth,,, but none are as absolutely illegal unethical as Hooser.

And all the skid marked tighty nighties will get some sunlight! !!

If you want to jump on Hooses proverbial hand grenade for him--- I'm sure he wont remember. But go for it..

Anonymous said...

The block voting for the County race for the Super Six Gary? Really? Why was this ok for you to suggest doing it on October 8th, 2014? You speak of "Plunking", "Block Voting", "Slates" etc. You even stated, "I am compelled to explain the importance of Block Voting, Plunking" and in general resisting the urge to vote any other way. Gary you are a waste of human flesh and deserve to be voted out of office...dont worry you will be voted out.

Anonymous said...


Anonymous Anonymous said...

Referring to Kauai's kupuna and citizens that are concerned about the long term poisoning of her people and lands as idiots is not pono
When I see comments like those I think 'industry shill'

June 21, 2016 at 8:20 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When I see comments like 8:20 I think "red shirt."

June 21, 2016 at 8:21 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes! Hang him from the highest tree! The audacity that he would let his puppy swim in the river without a leash! Auwe!

June 21, 2016 at 8:35 AM
only a racist white male misogynist quadruple loser would post such bilious ole deep south mint julep sputum. Then top it off with a pidgeon to da max overused word. Infantile.

Anonymous said...

"A waste of human flesh" Whoa dude I would say you are in dire need of therapy. Big time therapy. Must come from all the time you have spent chasing the smoky joes when you were young.

Anonymous said...

Hooser lost my respect the day he worked behind the scenes to select Chock over Kualii to ensure 2491 had the votes needed... His character is forever lost!!!

Anonymous said...

Whoever is running for council should focus on county issues: roads, sewers, police, fire, water, parks, bus, civil defense, and local government issues. Not regulating gmos and pesticides.

Anonymous said...

Maybe somebody should ask Gary about his meltdown at the HGEA meeting on Monday about the super six and ask any of the candidates there is no super six everyone is running their own campaign. That was just unnecessary drama on Facebook that should not have been posted in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Wait. I thought Charlie Iona already said the Super Six was his invention and that there was a Super Six and "they are going to do it better this time". Though if @7:58am is correct and each candidate is running on their own and there is no industry slate being run from the home of Charlie and Stephanie Iona, then that would be a good thing. If so, this whole drama should die down and the campaigns will be like the were in the old days, each candidate running on their own merits and none slamming the others publicly anyway.

Anonymous said...

Joan,

I just returned from a month tour of Asia and I am so glad to live in Hawaii. But as I read your blog and came across this piece I saw my two good friends names posted. Charlie and Stephanie Iona. Why did they get attacked? They are the two most caring people and have been known to give to others to the point that they have gone without for weeks. Yes Stephanie works for the seed industry and she handles community outreach. Yet I know for a fact what she has done for the Waimea community way before when she first moved to Kauai and was the General Manager for the Waimea Plantation Cottages and she continues to help the community. As for Uncle Charlie, who we call him by, he has given so much of his time as a musician performing at the care homes and hospitals on the island free of charge. He has helped counsel students and mentored them to get back onto the right track because he use to be a cop on Maui and everyone on Maui knows Uncle Charlie. I know several friends on Oahu who knew him when he was an investigator for the Honolulu Medical Examiners Office and they said he went that extra mile to comfort families when their loved ones was killed in an accident. He worked closely with HPD too. So Joan, I am listing all of these things about my friends the Iona's and it seems almost ludicrous for someone to attack them. I did see a Facebook posting regarding the claim of the Super Six, referring to the candidates of choice but that is Uncle Charlie's choice. If you don't like it you don't have to follow him you can make up your own mind. Now I was one never to get involved in controversies but I am not going to stay idle anymore. I think Gary Hooser is tearing this island apart. I don't see anything on the books that indicates unity on his part. Really Joan I wish Gary would throw in the towel. But everyone has the right to their own opinion.

Charlie Iona said...

@9:51 AM - Response

Good Morning,

This is Charlie Iona. The six candidates I favor all have independent campaigns that they run. I support them by telling my friends about them and why I think they would be good for Kauai. In my expression of the Super Six I am no different from the grandma down the street who has 6 yard signs in her yard. I am sure she is supporting her candidates of choice because that is why she allowed the signs to be put in her yard. Has grandma vocally come out and said she supports her candidates? No one knows. As for me I overtly said that these are my candidates of choice. And taking the quote, "we are going to do better the next time" does not mean collectively all 6 will do better. It meant me as a supporter of the candidates I just gotta get the word out better in the community. Please understand there is no drama in my estimation. Mr. Hooser immediately came out on FB making allegations about seed companies once he saw my post because he even used my photo on his posting. I made no reference to seed companies on my post. I hope you can appreciate my response to you as I appreciate your comment referencing me.

Charlie Iona said...


10:15 AM - Response

Thank you friend. Please do not worry. It's ok. When you put yourself out there what people say in response comes with the territory.

Anonymous said...

Whatever it takes to remove the Ho... he's pimped Kauai too long

Anonymous said...

Hooser is going to be reelected. Deal with it Joan.

Anonymous said...

Hooser will not get re-elected. Deal with it 11:03

Anonymous said...

Kagawa will drop. He has been too openly racist. The word is out on his anti haole rants.

Anonymous said...

From #2 to out? Gimme some of what yore smoking 2:25.

Anonymous said...

2:25 Kagawa will rise and continue to fight arrogant haoles like you who feel so entitled and are so racist yourselves against the locals. Vote out Hooser, Yukimura, and Chock for a better Kauai. Imua

Anonymous said...

Ross is not a racist. Who benefits from the spreading of the lie?

Anonymous said...

Saw on Charlie Iona FB wall that Hooser was spotted drinking beer at Hanapepe Art Night! Apparently he was spotted pooring g Henekin into a paper cup out of a paper bag. they guy who spotted it was too slow to get pictures.

Anonymous said...

Drinking Heineken? Elitist.

Anonymous said...

@ 8:13..... We all know that rules do not apply to the Hoos!

Anonymous said...

To All you anti-Kagawa people. Labelling Ross as illiterate, abrasive and racist shows how ignorant you are about who Ross really is and who and why he represents the people and values he does. Born and raised on the West side to a well known family, Ross learned early on to live by the down to earth values that were then part of everyday life. Strangers were few, customs were shared and enjoyed, confrontation was frowned upon and talking stink about others or acting like you were better than others, was a no no.

So comes Ross to the political stage; where money, popularity, clout, catering to special interests, not supporting residents, making exceptions for newbies , are acts other Council sellouts have embraced and wholeheartedly support. Ross on the other hand is the only member who consistently over many many meetings he has never forgotten the values he grew up with nor the residents who support him and helped him to be elected. In today's world of divisiveness, angry rhetoric and self centered, entitled motives , Ross has consistently stood up for the citizens of Kauai, regarding zoning, taxes, questioning county expenditures, providing pushback to realtors and newbie buyers (vacation rentals) and many other matters which are of concern to the "silent majority" Vote Kagawa during the coming elections. You won't go wrong