Realtors endorse seven council candidates

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

The Honolulu Board of Realtors yesterday endorsed candidates in seven of the nine races for City Council this year and will donate up to $2,000 for each of those candidates.

The endorsement garners attention because the group also provides additional contributions and other support.

The board, which describes itself as O'ahu's largest trade organization with 3,600 members, endorsed a mixture of political newcomers and familiar faces.

All nine council seats are up for grabs, with only three of the current council members eligible to seek re-election. Term limits prevent the other six from running again.

The board's endorsements:

Donovan Dela Cruz for District 2, Wahiawa, North Shore, Ahuimanu; Don Bremner for District 3, Kane'ohe, Kailua, Waimanalo; state Rep. Charles Djou for District 4, Waikiki, Kaimuki, Hawai'i Kai; Ann Kobayashi for District 5, Makiki, Manoa, Kapahulu, Palolo; Councilman Romy Cachola for District 7, Aliamanu, Airport, Kalihi; Councilman Gary Okino for District 8, Pearl City, Waipi'o, Fort Shafter; and state Rep. Nestor Garcia for District 9, Waipahu, Mililani, Makakilo.

The board said none of the eight candidates in District 1, Wai'anae, 'Ewa, responded to the request for information. And in District 6, Kalihi Valley, Nu'uanu, Kaka'ako, two of the six candidates responded.

Mike Stott, chairman of the board's city affairs committee, said the endorsements will also include campaign support. "We did not endorse in all races, either due to a lack of response from the candidates in the district or the fact that some candidates' visions for the future do not coincide" with the board's.

Stott said the group is interested in electing people who look for ways to run government without raising real property taxes as a first choice.