Eh, this time really for real: Bu La'ia in governor race
Associated Press
WAILUKU, Maui — Bu La'ia is running for governor again.
Advertiser library photo • June 29, 1996
The sometimes comedian, whose real name is Kaui Hill, filed his nomination papers Friday on Maui, where he is a resident.
Bu La'ia, aka Kaui Hill, ran for office in 1994 but was disqualified because, for one thing, he was too young. Now, he says, he's in to stay.
This time he's running as a Natural Law Party candidate and, at 36, said he's old enough (minimum age is 30 for governor).
Hill drew considerable attention when he ran under his Bu La'ia persona in 1994. His candidacy was derailed when it was discovered that he was too young and had used his brother's driver's license to file his papers.
Discussing his new campaign, Hill said he would save taxpayers money because he wouldn't need bodyguards. He said he can take care of himself and would have the protection of his pit bull.
But he said he is serious and wants to see government change into Hawaiian hands. As governor, he would advocate Hawai'i's seceding from the United States to re-establish itself as an independent nation.
Hill hopes to draw crossover votes from the major political parties. But as an alternative candidate, he will have a primary election contest with Big Island marijuana advocate Jonathan Adler, who said he encouraged Hill to run.
Hill, a Windward O'ahu native, moved to Maui about 2 1/2 years ago. He has been working on the Kaho'olawe cleanup project and helping friend Mark Ellman promote the Maui Tacos chain of restaurants. He also grows taro and said that if he were governor, he would like to get rid of sugarcane cultivation and replace it with taro.
"I don't like the burning," he said. "And sugar give you rotten teeth."
Hill also recently completed a 15-week engagement with a comedy show in Honolulu.
