The Advertiser's endorsements for the Legislature
Former U.S. House Speaker Tip O'Neill's famous saying "All politics is local" was so smart that people can't stop quoting it.
In part, that means that people elect legislators to "bring home the bacon" — to strongly represent local interests at the state level.
But it can't stop there. It's vital that lawmakers rise, from time to time, above the parochial to the more universal interests in statewide concerns.
The burning issues in this election year, education and the economy, clearly fall into this latter category. Will tax cuts spur the economy, and if they are made, how will the deficiency in tax revenues be made up? Should school governance be reordered? And so on.
Keep these thoughts in mind as we look at the many races for state House and Senate this year. They offer an intriguing mixture of local and district politics, and larger issues that ask something extra of lawmakers.
Smart voters will look first at the candidates in terms of how they relate to, understand and have ideas on how to solve a district's problems. But they will also look to how candidates are likely to rise to tackle the vital statewide issues of our day.
Thus, with this larger field of view in mind, we endorse the following candidates in House and Senate races , omitting races that were decided in the primary election. In a few instances, the information available to us did not lead to an endorsement.
State Senate
• 1st Dist. D-(Hamakua, S. Hilo): Incumbent Lorraine Inouye knows her district well and has shown an ability to work with her colleagues.
• 2nd Dist. D-(S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u): Russell Kokubun is a low-key lawmaker whose voting record mostly passes the common-sense test.
• 3rd Dist. R-(Kohala, Kona, Ka'u): Paul Whalen has done a good job representing West Hawai'i and presents a constructive point of view from the opposition side of the aisle.
• 5th Dist. D-(W. & S. Maui): Roz Baker, a former senator, proved herself as a competent and principled lawmaker and has the know-how to stimulate economic development on Maui.
• 7th Dist. D-) Kaua'i, Ni'ihau): Gary Hooser, a Kaua'i County Council member, is full of enthusiasm and new ideas.
• 8th Dist. D-(Kahala, Hawai'i Kai): Frances Kagawa has worked mostly behind the scenes in Democratic politics. She would be a strong advocate for the elderly and legislation that would improve the quality of their lives.
• 9th Dist. D-(Kapahulu, Kaimuki): Incumbent Les Ihara has spent 16 years in the Legislature and worked for more openness in government and campaign finance reform.
• 11th Dist. D-(Makiki, Pawa'a): Carol Fukunaga is a veteran legislator who has pushed for openness in government and high-tech solutions to both government services and economic development.
• 12th Dist. R-(Waikiki, Ala Moana, Downtown): Newcomer Gordon Trimble, an economist and asset manager with a wealth of new ideas, offers a viable and straight-talking alternative.
• 17th Dist. D-(Mililani, Waipi'o): Ron Menor is a respected veteran of the Legislature who pushes for economic reform and improved facilities for public education.
• 19th Dist. D-(Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele): Incumbent Brian Kanno has done a solid job of chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as representing the interests of his booming district.
• 21st Dist. D-(Nanakuli, Makaha): Seeking her second term, Colleen Hanabusa has brought new attention to the needs of the Wai'anae Coast and a new dynamic to the Senate, leading a controversial probe of the state's Felix effort.
• 23rd Dist. R-(Kane'ohe, Kahuku): Newcomer Lacene Terri offers a solid presentation of Republican values, coupled with nine years of experience as a legislative staffer.
• 24th Dist. R-(Kailua, Kane'ohe): Bob Hogue is personable, approachable and a good spokesman for the Republican position within the Senate.
• 25th Dist. D-(Kailua, Waimanalo, Portlock): Jackie Young, a former legislator, is a progressive voice for social justice and women's rights. She wants to focus on education.
State House
• 2nd Dist. R-(Hilo): Melvyn Sakaguchi, retired UH vice chancellor for community colleges, brings a new perspective to Hawai'i politics.
• 3rd Dist. D-(Hilo, Kea'au, Mountain View): Eric Hamakawa is a smart, liberal Democrat who has taken stands on tough issues.
• 4th Dist. D-(Puna): Helene Hale, one of the most senior and experienced public servants in the Legislature, is a feisty and determined voice for her district and her party.
• 5th Dist. G-(Ka'u, S. Kona): It's time to get a Green Party point of view in the Hawai'i Legislature. Publisher and coffee farmer Jack Kelly offers increased protection of his island's fragile coastline, support for agriculture and a reasoned approach to development.
• 6th Dist. D-(Kailua, Keauhou): Marni Herkes, executive director of the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce, is a long-time community activist who understands the business community's needs.
• 7th Dist. R-(N. Kona, S. Kohala): Incumbent Jim Rath offers a common-sense, articulate presentation of the conservative point of view.
• 8th Dist. R-(Wailuku, Waiehu): Capable and smart, Cindi "Mahina" Martin will bring backing to Native Hawaiian issues and a strong focus on education.
• 9th Dist. R-(Kahului, Pa'ia): Newcomer Allen Shishido, Maui County deputy parks director, county GOP chairman and a church elder, reflects his party's platform.
• 10th Dist. R-(W. Maui): Brian Blundell brings long-standing community involvement, especially in education issues, to the table. He favors DOE decentralization.
• 11th Dist. R-(S. Maui): Incumbent Chris Halford has done a solid and constructive job of presenting Republican values in the House.
• 12th Dist. R-(Upcountry Maui): Kika Bukoski, an incumbent who works on alternative energy projects, is one of a new breed of Republicans who seek to bring balance to state politics.
• 13th Dist. D-(E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i): Sol Kaho'ohala-hala, a former Maui County councilman and state representative, would work for Hawaiian justice and the needs of his largely rural district.
• 14th Dist. D-(Kapa'a, Hanalei): Dynamic incumbent Hermina Morita offers bright, new thinking on high-tech and energy issues.
• 15th Dist. D-(Lihue, Koloa): Ezra Kanoho is in tune with his district and ready to work on issues of particular interest to older residents.
• 16th Dist. D-(Po'ipu, Waimea, Ni'ihau): Bertha Kawakami a veteran legislator and former educator, is a strong advocate of public education and would work to get more state tax dollars into the classrooms.
• 19th Dist. R-(Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki): Incumbent Barbara Marumoto brings solid representation to her district and a flexible point of view.
• 20th Dist. D-(St. Louis Hts., Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise): Hard-working House Speaker Calvin Say deserves re-election.
• 21st Dist. R-(Kapahulu, Diamond Head): Incumbent Mindy Jaffe is passionate about improving the economy so young people can find jobs and stay here.
• 22nd Dist. D-(McCully, Pawa'a): Scott Saiki is bright, hardworking, reasonable and clearly in tune with the issues facing his urbanized district.
• 23rd Dist. R-(Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako): Galen Fox is an articulate spokesman for GOP issues in the House and a keen, and informed, critic of state budgeting and spending policies.
• 24th Dist. D-(Manoa): Lawyer Kirk Caldwell wants to preserve our unique island lifestyle by supporting quality, sustainable growth.
• 25th Dist. D-(Makiki, Tantalus): Incumbent Brian Schatz has added a solid, energetic presence to the House and has shown a willingness to lead on controversial issues.
• 26th Dist. D-(Punchbowl, Pacific Hts., Nu'uanu Valley): Sylvia Luke is a smart, reform-minded lawmaker who belongs to the new generation of Hawai'i Democrats.
• 27th Dist. R-(Liliha, Pu'unui): Corinne Ching, an educator and community volunteer with an impressive resume, is ready to get to work on Day One to improve our school system.
• 29th Dist. D-(Kalihi, Sand Island): Incumbent Jun Abinsay has met the challenges of representing a district, part of which is plagued with a plethora of socio-economic problems.
• 30th Dist. D-(Moanalua, Kalihi Valley, 'Alewa): Incumbent Dennis Arakaki has fought hard to preserve the social safety net for the "have-nots" in Hawai'i.
• 31st Dist. D-(Salt Lake, Tripler): Glenn Wakai recognizes the need to vastly improve the public schools rather than abandoning them.
• 32nd Dist. R-(Waimalu, aliamalu, Airport): Lynn Finnegan has tuned in to her district's needs and is looking for practical solutions to problems.
• 33rd Dist. D-(Halawa, 'Aiea, Pearlridge): Blake Oshiro, an attorney who is relatively new to the Legislature, is particularly focused on issues of healthcare and affordable prescription drugs.
• 35th Dist. D-(Waipahu, Crestview): No endorsement
• 36th Dist. D-(Pearl City, Palisades): Roy Takumi, a progressive, clear-thinking incumbent, has proposed a number of interesting initiatives including a comprehensive long-term-care program for the elderly.
• 37th Dist. R-(Mililani, Waipi'o): Guy Ontai, a retired military officer, is determined to continue his work in stimulating the economy and holding down the cost of doing business in Hawai'i.
• 38th Dist. D-(Mililani, Mililani Mauka): Marilyn Lee, an incumbent who succeeded her husband in this office, is a strong spokeswoman for social issues, healthcare and education.
• 39th Dist. D-(Wahiawa): Marcus Oshiro, an eloquent defender of Democratic principles and policies at the Legislature, is interested in getting long-term healthcare insurance in place and in diversifying the economy.
• 40th Dist. R-(Makakilo, Kapolei, Royal Kunia): Incumbent Mark Moses does a solid job of representing the young families from the "second city."
• 42nd Dist. (Waipahu, Honouliuli, 'Ewa): No endorsement
• 43rd Dist. D-('Ewa Beach, West Loch): No endorsement.
• 44th Dist. D-(Nanakuli, Honokai Hale): Michael Kahikina, a personable incumbent, is in tune with, and passionately committed to, the people and issues of his rural district.
• 45th Dist. D-(Wai'anae, Makaha): Maile Shimabukuro, an attorney, would bring practical and compassionate representation.
• 46th Dist. D-(Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield): Incumbent Michael Magaoay has worked hard for the cause of social liberalism.
• 47th Dist. R-(Ha'iku, Kahalu'u, La'ie): Colleen Meyer is an evenhanded incumbent who understands the environmental issues of concern to her district and is working to bring down the cost of living.
• 48th Dist. D-(Kane'ohe): Ken Ito brings an informed, caring approach as chairman of the House Education Committee.
• 49th Dist. R-(Maunawili, Enchanted Lake, Kane'ohe): David Pendleton, both a pastor and attorney, practices a style of compassionate conservatism and reasonableness that fits well in his district.
• 50th Dist. R-(Kailua, Mokapu): Cynthia Thielen, forceful and articulate, is a strong environmentalist and determined fighter for her district.
• 51st Dist. D-(Waimanalo, Lanikai): Tommy Waters, a public defender, has been active in the Hawaiian legal community. We support his efforts to branch out and represent the interests of a diverse district.
