Hawai'i GOP focused on House, governor races

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Capitol Bureau Chief

Hawai'i Republicans fielded candidates in almost every House race, but surrendered eight Senate seats to Democratic incumbents without a fight at the filing deadline this afternoon.

State GOP leaders have said they will focus their efforts on winning the governor's race and on gaining control of the 51-member House. The Republicans already control 19 House seats.

House Democrats who won re-election outright at the filing deadline at 4:30 this afternoon include Rep. K. Mark Takai D-34th (Pearl City, Newtown, Royal Summit).

Republicans who won election outright to the House as of the filing deadline include Rep. Bud Stonebraker, R-17th (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley), and Bertha Leong, R-18th (Kahala, 'Aina Haina, Kuli'ou'ou).

Rep. Ken Hiraki, D-28th (Iwilei Downtown, Makiki), initially thought he was unopposed, but may in fact have an opponent.

Republican James Hardway filed to run against Hiraki, but his filing was rejected after one of the names on his nomination petition did not match the social security number or the date of birth listed on the nominating petition, said Chief Elections Officer Dwayne Yoshina.

New information was phoned into elections officials after the 4:30 p.m. filing deadline, and the name on the petition was matched up with the proper social security number and date of birth, Yoshina said.

Yoshina said he has discussed the matter with Republican Party Chairman Micah Kane. If the problem was merely an error in completing the nomination petition, Hardway may be allowed to run against Hiraki, Yoshina said.

However, Yoshina said he will have to check with lawyers for the state to determine if under the circumstances he even has the authority to put Hardway's name on the ballot.