Gary Hooser

Party: Democratic

Age: 56

Job: State Senator.

Born in . In Hawaii since 1970, arrived from California

Lives: Kapa'a

Contact: 808-822-9132, garylhooser@hotmail.com

Web site: www.garyhooser.com

Job history past 10 years:
Kauai County Council 4 years, State Senator 6 years.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
serve now.

Other civic experience or community service:
various boards of directors.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Background in small business prior to holding public office.

1) Why are you running for office?
To help make the world, our state and my community a better place.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Health care and human services, education and renewable energy.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Maximize our natural energy assets - wind, solar, ocean thermal.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
Increase funding for smaller class sizes.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
Provide state funding for basic safety net services and restructure other institutions so they operate more like private hospitals. Private insurers should increase payments for services.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
High cost of energy. See above #3

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
Energy package to decrease oil importation and increase energy independence.