Political styles vary on 'Ewa Plain

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer

In particular, the Senate contest contrasts incumbent Brian Kanno, a popular veteran Democrat, against Republican Gerald Nakata, who has a shoestring campaign and a simple grassroots message: It's time the little guy really knew what's going on behind the closed doors of state government.

The newly reapportioned 19th Senate District includes Kapolei, Makakilo and Waikele and is one of the fastest-growing areas of O'ahu. The latest state figures put the district population at 46,000 residents, who are mostly Filipino (40 percent), Japanese (15 percent) and Caucasian (12 percent). Of the total number, some 32,000 residents are eligible voters.

These are voters who, Nakata said, have been perpetually treated as if they don't matter when it comes to getting basic government information — such as how their tax dollars are being spent.

19th Senate District (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele) BRIAN KANNO (D) • Address: Declined to provide • Occupation: Senator and father facilitator — Parents and Children Together • Family: Married, with two daughters • One big idea: Emphasizing education. "Building UH-West O'ahu in Kapolei would create tremendous opportunities for our area's young people." GERALD NAKATA (R) • Address: 91-1019 Pa'aoloulu Way • Occupation: Registered nurse at Kuakini Medical Center • Family: Single • One big idea: Making the political process more open. "Too often voters feel like they are not connected to the political process. I would make myself available to the average person." 43rd House District ('Ewa Beach, West Loch) PAM LEE SMITH (R) • Address: 91-321 Pupu Place • Occupation: Community service/self-employed campaign consultant • Family: Married, no children • One big idea: To contra-flow Fort Weaver Road and use the shoulder lanes during rush hours to speed the commute. ROMEO MINDO (D) No photo submitted • Address: 91-657 Kilipoe St. • Occupation: Staff member, Unity House Inc. • Family: Married, five children • One big idea: To reduce government regulation, encourage investment and economic expansion, which will result in more employment.

"Well, I think this political process has been hidden for too long. It has to be open to the public."

It was after he was turned away as a private citizen that Nakata decided to see if he'd have better luck as an elected official. And if as a senator he's still rebuffed in his efforts to follow the money and tell voters where it leads, Nakata vows to "embarrass the state" by taking it to court to force informational compliance.

"With more eyes watching, there will be less chance for corruption," Nakata said.

In the general election, Nakata has a formidable opponent in Kanno, who decisively defeated outgoing City Council Chairman John DeSoto in the Democratic primary.

Kanno appears to have gained voter confidence. He was recently awarded the Kapolei Outstanding Achievement Award for community service, and three days before the election, he'll receive a similar honor from the 'Ewa Beach Community Association.

Kanno, 40, has also shown agility in weathering political firestorms — most notably, after he voted against Margery Bronster's confirmation as state attorney general. At the time, Bronster had achieved near-legend status in her unprecedented investigation of the Bishop Estate trustees. When Bronster failed to gain confirmation, angry voters swore they wouldn't forget those responsible. Kanno capitulated by mailing out letters of apology to his constituents, who gave him the benefit of the doubt.

In this year's campaign, Kanno has targeted education for emphasis. He has said he will move to get allocations to pay for improvements to the area's schools and for the UH-West O'ahu campus and Royal Kunia Elementary.

Critical of the political boondoggle that resulted in Kapolei's having a new library with no books, Kanno has pledged his support in getting reading material into the facility by 2004.

In the 43rd House District, neither the Democratic candidate, Romeo "Romy" Mindo, nor the Republican, Pam Lee Smith, is an incumbent. Each has a distinct campaign style, with Mindo preferring a low-key approach and Smith maintaining high visibility.

Mindo, who was born in the Philippines in 1937 and came to Hawai'i in 1970, is well aware that Filipinos make up some 35 percent of the 27,000 residents in District 43 ('Ewa Beach, West Loch). Unfortunately, he says, only about 10 percent of them are registered voters, a situation he said he has taken steps to improve.

The district, which is evenly divided between men and women, is 20 percent Caucasian. Otherwise, it is marginally populated with Japanese, Hawaiians, Samoans, blacks and Chinese — but none of these ethnic groups make up more than 6 percent of the population.

Mindo has said the biggest quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i is the need to reduce government regulation and to encourage investment and economic expansion.

"I believe that 100 percent — even if I'm a union man," said Mindo, who is the former president of Local 5 AFL-CIO. "We have to encourage everybody who wants to put up a business because they are the ones employing people. The union is not employing anybody."

As a former Honolulu police commissioner, he believes he has the experience to address the needs of his rapidly expanding district and mounting concerns, which include drugs, crime and traffic bottlenecks.

But he has no intention of making unrealistic claims or explaining beforehand how he plans to tackle those concerns.

"The thing here is that all the problems we have in the district can be solved if we have the funding," he said. "But you know how it is. That's why I say I will not make any promises. That's not me. I'll just do what I can if I'm elected."

Smith, on the other hand, senses that she's about to become part of a major departure from "politics as usual" in Hawai'i. She not only isn't shy about making promises — her whole campaign is based on them.

Her brochure has a whole list. Among other promises, Smith pledges to vote against any tax increases, to advocate locally elected school boards and to introduce a bill to increase penalties for anyone convicted of dealing crystal meth.

"People really are looking for something different," said Smith, 48. "They're tired of people saying, 'Elect me and I'll do something.' We had that for 40 years and don't need any more of it. I believe people should know what I'm going into office to do, and then if I don't do it they should get rid of me."

Smith is particularly concerned about government spending. The high costs are cheating residents out of basic services, such as better roads and schools, she contends. Solution: "Introduce performance-based budgeting to cut government spending."

Smith would also try to pass legislation that would initiate a state audit of all department budgets.

Both candidates consider crime and drugs to be big problems in the district and are excited about the potential of Weed & Seed, the law-enforcement program that was introduced there in September.

"The word is out — you get picked up for diddly over here and you're going to jail," said Smith.

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