Clinton to arrive Oct. 29 for rallies
By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former President Bill Clinton will visit Hawai'i at the end of the month to rally with fellow Democrats and with union members before the Nov. 5 general election, Gov. Ben Cayetano, the state Democratic Party and union officials confirmed yesterday.
Advertiser library photo • May 17, 2002
Clinton will arrive in Honolulu on Oct. 29 to attend a rally of organized labor and the Democratic Party to be held at the Neal Blaisdell Center Arena, said Hawai'i Government Employees Association spokesman Randy Kusaka.
Bill Clinton is coming here to support Hawai'i's Democrats.
Clinton will travel to Maui, Kaua'i, and the Big Island the following day. The Hawai'i County Democratic Party said he is expected to appear at a rally in Hilo Civic Auditorium on Oct. 30.
He will assist with the state party's coordinated campaign, which supports all Democratic candidates, but it remains unclear whether he will also attend events for specific candidates, Hawai'i Democratic Party chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said.
Clinton was invited to Hawai'i by HGEA's international union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Kusaka said. He, Akiba and Cayetano said many other details of the visit are still being worked out.
"I think that his presence will perhaps draw Democrats, who maybe have strayed, back to the fold," Cayetano said. "Because with all the problems the Democrats have had, we do have a certain philosophy that we stand for, and when a former president of the United States comes here, and he's a president who was a Democrat, that may cause people to think about all the good things that the Democrats have done for the state and for our country."
Akiba said it remained unclear whether Clinton would appear at fund-raising events as well as rallies. Cayetano said the visit may come too late to help raise money for the party or individual candidates, because there won't be much time to spend it before the election.
"I think that it appears that money has been a problem for the Democrats, and they'll have to rely on their organizational strength and their message," Cayetano said.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mazie Hirono spent $1.2 million on her campaign as of Sept. 21, while her Republican opponent Linda Lingle spent $3.6 million.
Cayetano said Clinton's visit will be short because he is traveling to other states to support Democrats.
"He loves this place and I know if he had his wish he would stay here a couple days and play golf and enjoy himself," Cayetano said.
Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
