State GOP extends reach to Hawaiians, gays
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
WAILEA, Maui — The Hawai'i Republican Party called on Congress yesterday to authorize federal recognition of a Native Hawaiian government.
A resolution supporting the federal action was among the items taken up yesterday at the party's annual statewide convention, attended by more than 300 delegates at the Wailea Outrigger Resort.
While the event doesn't have a theme, "diversity" might fit the bill, as Republicans opened their arms to a variety of groups in an effort to continue the growth the party has experienced in recent years.
Former Maui Mayor Linda Lingle is expected to be re-elected party chairwoman today, at the conclusion of the three-day convention.
In addition to reaching out to Native Hawaiians, Republicans gave gay men and lesbians a voice, as they heard from Jeffrey Mead of the Hawai'i Chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, an affiliate of the nation's largest gay and lesbian Republican organization.
"The Log Cabin Republicans are part of our coalitions group, and their presence is in step with our view that everyone has a place under the Republican umbrella,'' said Micah Kane, executive director of the Hawai'i Republican Party.
In addition, Rep. Mindy Jaffe, R-19th (Diamond Head, Waikiki), announced she would be organizing a Hawai'i chapter of REP America (Republicans for Environmental Protection), in an effort to improve the state's "dismal'' environmental record.
The resolution calling for federal recognition of a Native Hawaiian government essentially backs a recognition bill introduced by Democratic U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, though key Republicans in the Senate helped prevent the bill from being approved by Congress last year.
"This tells those senators that Hawai'i's Republicans don't have a problem with the bill,'' said Brian Durham, a member of the party's platform committee.
"This is the right thing to do,'' said Rep. Kika Bukoski, R-10th (Upcountry Maui), himself a Native Hawaiian. "There is a lot of federal money that is in jeopardy. This will help protect those funds.''
Earlier in the day, Mead won a standing ovation for his speech. It was the first time a member of the Log Cabin Republicans had addressed a state convention anywhere in the nation.
Not all delegates were happy with Mead's speech. George Krueger of Honolulu said he and other delegates were surprised and shocked by Mead's address.
"We knew from the beginning (Lingle) was more liberal in the social area, but ... '' Krueger said.
Still, he applauded Lingle for breathing new life into the party, and indicated he and others would remain loyal.
Lingle, who is gearing up to run for governor, told the convention her goal for the party is to capture not only the governorship but a majority in the state House of Representatives. Nineteen of the 51 House members are Republican.
"People ask me if it's realistic to shoot for that,'' she said. "I think it's very realistic. Doable. But very, very difficult.''
She urged the delegates to commit themselves to a 17-month campaign "to improve Hawai'i forever.''
Another resolution approved by the convention supports a constitutional amendment to break up the Board of Education, creating local school boards.
A resolution against Hawaiian Electric Co.'s proposed power lines on Wa'ahila Ridge was tabled until today.
