Hooser 2010 Lieutenant Governor Campaign
First in Hawaii to Go Carbon Neutral

Honolulu, HI - Kaua'i resident and 2010 Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Gary Hooser announced today that he will be participating in a week-long series of events throughout the islands in support of Earth Day 2009 - and that the campaign will be the first in Hawaii to go carbon neutral. Hooser's first stop in his 2009 Earth Day schedule will be at a community beach cleanup at Lydgate Park, Kaua'i on April 18. On April 19 and 22, Hooser will speak on sustainability and the economy at the Maui and Manoa Earth Day Festivals respectively. On April 25, Hooser will discuss issues of law making and public advocacy at the Kona Earth Day Festival on the Big Island.

"These events are my way of affirming once again my long-standing commitment to doing all I possibly can as an individual and as a lawmaker to protect the environment and foster a greener economy," said Hooser. His record as a environmental advocate has earned Hooser recognition from leading environmental groups such as the Sierra Club as one of the top state legislators whose actions have steadfastly reflected their beliefs.

In addition to speaking on issues of sustainability and public advocacy and participating in beach cleanups, Hooser is committed to taking earth-friendly means of transportation to and from each event. "On Kaua'i, I'll be walking two miles from my house to Lydgate Park. On O'ahu, I'll be riding the City Express Bus to Manoa. On Maui we're going to drive a Bio-Beetle to Baldwin Park, Pa'ia and on the Big Island, we're going to get to the Kona Earth Day Festival by carpooling," the current State Senate Majority Leader said.

A long-time advocate of sustainability and the environment in the Senate, Hooser says his 2010 campaign for Lt. Governor will be the first ever in Hawai'i to go carbon neutral to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight global climate change. "We will make every effort to offset C02 generated by the campaign by purchasing carbon credits from local companies doing reforestation and clean energy development in the islands," says Hooser.

One of the most recent examples of Hooser's leadership in advocating for sustainable practices is his authorship of the Solar Mandate Bill, requiring all new homes built in Hawai'i after January 1, 2010 to have a solar hot water heater or other highly efficient system installed. "We would not have been able to push that bill through the state legislature without the broad-based community support of thousands of citizens standing with myself and others and demanding the same," said Hooser.

Having held blue-collar jobs and experienced the challenges of being a small business entrepreneur, Hooser expressed his confidence that having President Obama in the White House makes this the prefect time to realign Hawai'i's future prosperity and foster the emergence of a new green-collar workforce. "President Obama has framed a vision that Hawai'i of all places can and should embrace with enthusiasm and vigor. He is right. The way we do business and our reliance on oil must come to an end. We must join together in the creation of a new multi-billion dollar economic sector that will create new opportunities in these islands. If we fully embrace things like green construction, clean energy and diversified agriculture, the green economy will be strong enough to help put people back to work in a way that reshapes our future to benefit future generations," the Senate Majority Leader said.

As Hawai'i's next Lieutenant Governor, Hooser says he will be "guided by the common, core values we all share," such as the desire for quality education in the 21st century, energy and food independence, justice and equality for all, and a deep aloha and appreciation for rural values and environmental protection. "These goals look beyond sustainability. They're essential for a robust economy that will provide good jobs for our communities for many years to come," he added.

Catch Senator Hooser at one of the following events: