Hundreds of Oahu Republicans pack County Convention

Saturday, March 14, 2009
By Andrew Walden

Climaxing a vigorous campaign for Oahu County Chair, more than three hundred Honolulu Republicans participated in the Honolulu County GOP convention at Kawananakoa Elementary School in Pauoa Saturday morning.

Malia Gray, legislative office manager for Rep Lynn Finnegan, faced former Ron Paul Hawaii campaign leader Dan Douglass in the contest for County Chair. Both candidates recruited new Republican Party members and mobilized supporters for the event. Gray reported her team recruiting 300 new Republican Party members and identifying 20 Legislative candidates to run in 2010 during the last few weeks of campaigning.

Linda Smith, nominating Gray for Chair noted Republicans are, “fortunate to have two very capable candidates running. Organizing the grassroots is the essence of a successful party.“ Gray’s nomination was seconded by Lt Governor Duke Aiona who said: “Look at the turnout today. Isn’t competition great?”

Douglass was nominated by Rep Kym Pine and former Honolulu County Chair Jimmy Kuroiwa. Accepting the nomination Douglass asked that delegates support him, “only if you will be leaders in your block and your district.”

Malia Gray said: “I’ve heard a lot about what the Party should do. But look around, you are the Party.”

Governor Lingle suggested that both Gray and Douglass are the kind of people who “should be running for public office.”

Lingle called for unity and emphasized, “You don’t win elections when you are split into factions. The Legislative Democrats are on the verge of giving us double the biggest tax increase we’ve ever had….Is there anybody in this room who supports tax increases? Democrats have handed us an issue we can unite around.”

House Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan emphasized the House Minority caucus is: “Committed to killing any GE Tax increase.” Said Finnegan, “We want labor issues back on the table.” She announced a House Republican news conference Monday at 11:30 in front of the Capitol.

Also speaking Tracy Nakano Bean, and representatives of John Felix, Keoki Leong, and Wilson Kekoa Ho. All are competing in the special election for Oahu Council District 3 seat left vacant by the untimely death of councilwoman Barbara Marshall. (Related: Advertiser)

The turnout impressed many veteran Republican leaders. Outgoing County Chair Tercia Ku said attendance was 10 times that of the previous convention. National Committeewoman Miriam Hellreich said: “We haven’t seen this (turnout) in years.” Senator Fred Hemmings looked at the crowd and said, “We are the hope and change for the future.“

The vote was 141 for Malia Gray and 105 for Dan Douglass.

Several positions were uncontested: Nadine Nishioka was elected County Secretary, Chris Wong was elected Vice Chair for West Oahu (HD 25-32), Suk Moses VC-Leeward (HD 40-46), Justin Menolascino VC-Central (HD 33-39), and Eliza Talbot VC Windward (HD 47-51).

In contested races, Chico Figueiredo won as County Treasurer over Anna Marie Preston by a margin of 126-82. Adrienne King beat Lori Wingard by a margin of 65 to 25 for Vice Chair, East Oahu (HD 17-24).

After the results were announced, Douglass embraced Gray. Gray then introduced the newly-elected County officers.

Said Talbot, “I have never seen the enthusiasm and positivism that is in the room today. This is a new Republican Party.”

Also meeting today, thirty delegates at the Kauai County Republican Convention elected Bill Georgi County Chair. He was unopposed. Maui County and Hawaii County Republican Conventions are scheduled for Saturday, March 21.

The Hawaii State Republican convention will be held on the Big Island in Waikoloa May, 15-17. Malia Gray is supporting Jonah Kaauwai for State Chair.

RELATED: HawaiiReporter article

Hawaii Republican Party: www.gophawaii.com

Malia Gray/Jonah Kaauwai info: http://www.ourpartyourohana.com

Hawaii Republican Party State Convention
May 15-17, 2009 Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort

Circle dance begins for open seats

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: KIP AOKI / KAOKI@STARBULLETIN.COM

Among the possible contenders for the governor's seat to be vacated by Linda Lingle next year, are, from left clockwise, Neil Abercrombie, Colleen Hanabusa, John Carroll, Mufi Hannemann and James "Duke" Aiona.

By Richard Borreca

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 07, 2009

Many of Hawaii's highest-profile leaders are about to play a raucous game of political musical chairs, hoping to land in a bigger and better seat in November 2010.

OTHER SEATS Other possible contenders for two key positions: Lt. Governor » Sen. Gary Hooser (D) » City Councilman Donavan Dela Cruz (D) » Honolulu Councilman Rod Tam (D) » Adrienne King (R) » Sen. Robert Bunda (D) » Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D) » Keith Amemiya (D) » Rep. Lynn Finnegan (R) Honolulu Mayor Possible contenders if Mufi Hannemann resigns and runs for governor: » City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle » City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell » City Councilman Duke Bainum » Ann Kobayashi » Panos Prevadoros

Most of the serious players are saying that to be in the game in 2010, you have to be up and running this year.

The state's top political job is governor, and with no incumbent in the mix, because Gov. Linda Lingle is allowed only two terms, the spot already has three candidates: Republican Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Democrat U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and John Carroll.

Aiona got an early jump on the field by showing his interest last year so he could start fundraising.

Abercrombie is the first major Democrat in the mix, but the summer is filled with rumors that either Mayor Mufi Hannemann or state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa will also join the Democratic primary election.

A spokesman for Hannemann said there has been no decision.

"He has not made any ultimate decision at this time regarding the many political options open to him," the Hannemann supporter said.

As for Hanabusa, she is weighing both governor and Abercrombie's soon-to-be vacant urban Honolulu 1st Congressional District.

"They both have their attractive qualities," Hanabusa said.

Her decision will be framed in terms of how much money she can raise, how many Democrats are in the race and how best to continue in politics.

"It is a question of how you can best serve and what are you best suited for, and that is why I am still looking," Hanabusa said.

Hannemann is also mentioned as a possible candidate for Congress. If either runs for the federal post, they would not have to resign from office. But if they go for a state race such as governor, they would have to resign.

That adds a lot of speculation to the mix, especially because there is no shortage of possible candidates to jump in to run for mayor.

First in the speculation is city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, an established politician who previously represented Manoa in the state House. Caldwell has not ruled out a run for mayor.

Also in the mix is City Councilman Duke Bainum, an unsuccessful candidate for mayor. Former Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi and even city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle have been mentioned as possible candidates, if Hannemann leaves Honolulu Hale.

Although the political power is negligible, there is no shortage of possible candidates for lieutenant governor. Former Senate President Sen. Robert Bunda says he's about 90 percent ready to announce.

"Next year is going to be a watershed year, in terms of movement in local politics," Bunda says, adding that lieutenant governor is the only race he would consider entering.

State Sen. Norman Sakamoto says he is also mulling over a race, and is talking to friends and family.

Both he and Bunda said they will make a decision this summer.

The possible exodus from the Senate would open spots for others to pursue.

Add to the lieutenant governor mix Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz, who has filed with the Campaign Spending Commission but is not commenting on the race now. Two other possible candidates are GOP House leader Lynn Finnegan and Keith Amemiya, the executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

Formally in the race are Sen. Gary Hooser, a Kauai Democrat, and City Councilmen Donovan Dela Cruz and Rod Tam -- also Democrats. Republican Adrienne King has also filed with the Campaign Spending Commission.

In the race for Abercrombie's congressional seat, the only two sure bets are Democrat Ed Case and Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, who have both formally announced.

But Hanabusa, Hannemann and even Bainum also have given that race some thought.

Many of Hawaii's highest-profile leaders are about to play a raucous game of political musical chairs, hoping to land in a bigger and better seat in November 2010.

OTHER SEATS Other possible contenders for two key positions: Lt. Governor » Sen. Gary Hooser (D) » City Councilman Donavan Dela Cruz (D) » Honolulu Councilman Rod Tam (D) » Adrienne King (R) » Sen. Robert Bunda (D) » Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D) » Keith Amemiya (D) » Rep. Lynn Finnegan (R) Honolulu Mayor Possible contenders if Mufi Hannemann resigns and runs for governor: » City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle » City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell » City Councilman Duke Bainum » Ann Kobayashi » Panos Prevadoros

Most of the serious players are saying that to be in the game in 2010, you have to be up and running this year.

The state's top political job is governor, and with no incumbent in the mix, because Gov. Linda Lingle is allowed only two terms, the spot already has three candidates: Republican Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, Democrat U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and John Carroll.

Aiona got an early jump on the field by showing his interest last year so he could start fundraising.

Abercrombie is the first major Democrat in the mix, but the summer is filled with rumors that either Mayor Mufi Hannemann or state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa will also join the Democratic primary election.

A spokesman for Hannemann said there has been no decision.

"He has not made any ultimate decision at this time regarding the many political options open to him," the Hannemann supporter said.

As for Hanabusa, she is weighing both governor and Abercrombie's soon-to-be vacant urban Honolulu 1st Congressional District.

"They both have their attractive qualities," Hanabusa said.

Her decision will be framed in terms of how much money she can raise, how many Democrats are in the race and how best to continue in politics.

"It is a question of how you can best serve and what are you best suited for, and that is why I am still looking," Hanabusa said.

Hannemann is also mentioned as a possible candidate for Congress. If either runs for the federal post, they would not have to resign from office. But if they go for a state race such as governor, they would have to resign.

That adds a lot of speculation to the mix, especially because there is no shortage of possible candidates to jump in to run for mayor.

First in the speculation is city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, an established politician who previously represented Manoa in the state House. Caldwell has not ruled out a run for mayor.

Also in the mix is City Councilman Duke Bainum, an unsuccessful candidate for mayor. Former Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi and even city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle have been mentioned as possible candidates, if Hannemann leaves Honolulu Hale.

Although the political power is negligible, there is no shortage of possible candidates for lieutenant governor. Former Senate President Sen. Robert Bunda says he's about 90 percent ready to announce.

"Next year is going to be a watershed year, in terms of movement in local politics," Bunda says, adding that lieutenant governor is the only race he would consider entering.

State Sen. Norman Sakamoto says he is also mulling over a race, and is talking to friends and family.

Both he and Bunda said they will make a decision this summer.

The possible exodus from the Senate would open spots for others to pursue.

Add to the lieutenant governor mix Democratic Party Chairman Brian Schatz, who has filed with the Campaign Spending Commission but is not commenting on the race now. Two other possible candidates are GOP House leader Lynn Finnegan and Keith Amemiya, the executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

Formally in the race are Sen. Gary Hooser, a Kauai Democrat, and City Councilmen Donovan Dela Cruz and Rod Tam -- also Democrats. Republican Adrienne King has also filed with the Campaign Spending Commission.

In the race for Abercrombie's congressional seat, the only two sure bets are Democrat Ed Case and Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, who have both formally announced.

But Hanabusa, Hannemann and even Bainum also have given that race some thought.

Adrienne King, spokeswoman for the Ka Iwi Action Council

---

Wednesday, June 27, 2001

State may scale
back Ka Iwi
parking plan

Critics say a smaller lot
won't reduce the impact
on the coast

---

By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

The state, under pressure from community groups, has gone back to the drawing board to reduce the size of a parking lot for a Ka Iwi shoreline park.

Despite state efforts, members of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board remain in opposition to the plan.

"It's one of the last coastlines in its natural state," said Wilson Kekoa Ho, chairman of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board. "We don't see a need for it (parking lots)."

The state Parks Division is seeking a special management area use permit to construct two parking lots along the Ka Iwi shoreline. But the original proposal ran into opposition from the Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo neighborhood boards.

The plan includes one lot with 40 stalls near the Makapuu Lookout with space to fit five buses and another near the lighthouse.

The state would keep one of the 40-stall lots near the lighthouse, and offers two alternatives reducing the amount of parking space at the other lot by nearly half: One alternative is a 22-stall parking lot designed off Kalanianaole Highway with spaces for five buses, and a second alternative includes a 22-stall parking lot designed along the highway with space for three vans or oversized vehicles.

Kenneth Nagai of KN Consulting Services Inc., working with the Parks Division on the project, said, "We have the original proposal and the variations of it.

"Currently, the state is looking at alternatives to find the best solution to address the concerns expressed while meeting the requirements of federal funding."

However, the plan is "still a work in process," Nagai said.

Clyde Hosokawa, parks program manager of the Parks Division, said, "The Department of Land and Natural Resources was receptive to incorporate some changes."

Hosokawa said the state plans to present the original plan to the city Planning and Permitting Department.

He said the Parks Division will consider the other alternatives if told to do so by the city department.

Adrienne King, spokeswoman for the Ka Iwi Action Council, supported the downscaling of the lot near the Makapuu Lookout but still opposes parking for five buses.

"We just didn't want these big humongous buses dumping hoards of people all over," said King. "Everybody will jump and crawl all over the mountain."

King said the area along Makapuu Lookout is incapable of supporting an increased number of visitors stopping in large numbers.

"It's a small area," she said. "We're trying to narrow the trampling. You want people to experience that place in its natural state."

Ho and other Waimanalo Neighborhood Board members are drumming up opposition to the plan. A public hearing is scheduled on July 18 at 7 p.m. at Koko Head Elementary School.