Visions diverge over state's No. 2 job

The three elected officials hoping to win the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor set themselves apart through the priorities they will bring to the job.

Clayton Hee, a trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, emphasizes Hawaiian issues. Donna Ikeda, recently resigned from the state Board of Education, focuses on the public school system. Matt Matsunaga, who has led the state Senate Judiciary and Economic Development committees, plans to strengthen the economy by promoting high technology and renewable energy.

Lieutenant governor of Hawai'i

Matt Matsunaga • Address: 1356 Kaminaka Drive, Honolulu • Occupation: Senator and business attorney • Family: Single, two children • One big idea: "We can position Hawai'i as a center for peace, as a combination think tank and point of interaction. Start by coordinating and expanding existing programs of UH, East-West Center, military and nonprofits in peace studies, conflict resolution, mediation; furthering research with practical application (similar to U.S. Institute of Peace); and providing an accommodating environment for world leaders at varying levels to meet and interact."

Clayton Hee • Address: P.O. Box 4484, Kane'ohe • Occupation: Small business owner and Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee • Family: Married, one son • One big idea: "Government must respond to the economic problems of the state, and that begins by electing leaders, and not people who go along to get along and are part of the problem of conducting business as usual."

Donna Ikeda • Address: 7007 Hawai'i Kai Drive, Honolulu • Occupation: Governmental affairs consultant • Family: Single, three children, two grandchildren • One big idea: "The Legislature needs to repeal all laws that mandate educational programs, and allow the Board of Education to determine policy... The DOE should be given the same kind of autonomy as University of Hawai'i with guaranteed funding."

It is time to move away from OHA, Hee said, and serving as lieutenant governor would be a practical step toward becoming governor, which he has expressed interest in.

"I'm not sure that relationship is a good or healthy one," Hee said of the No. 2 job. "Depending on who was governor, I would try to assert myself."

Among issues he would push are those regarding Native Hawaiians. "There's not a gubernatorial or lieutenant governor candidate today that understands Hawaiian issues as well as I can," he said.

Hee believes that while it is unlikely Hawaiians will receive federal recognition under a Republican president, the state should begin working on a potential settlement of issues related to its use of ceded lands, and his experience on OHA makes him best qualified to handle the complex issue.

In the short term, Hee believes the state should restore payments for the use of ceded lands. "To me, the issue is a legal entitlement owed (to the Hawaiian people). It's a matter of justice."

As chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, former state Sen. Ikeda once recommended eliminating the position of lieutenant governor, one of several methods she proposed to streamline government.

Now a candidate for the position, she said, "I see an opportunity here.... That the office and its responsibilities haven't been defined is a plus."

Ikeda, 63, who lost her Wai'alae Iki-Hawai'i Kai seat to Sam Slom in 1996, was elected to the Board of Education in 2000. She resigned in July to run for lieutenant governor.

A former teacher, Ikeda said she would ask the governor to put her in charge of education. She believes she can inspire the Department of Education, school board and state lawmakers to work together. "I know the players," she said. "I can bring them together and we can talk about what needs to be done."

Ikeda already has proposals to bring to the table, including dividing the 13-member elected board into seven elected and six appointed members.

She also would like to see the DOE win autonomy similar to that of the University of Hawai'i, while remaining accountable to lawmakers, whom she accused of micromanaging the school system. "I think that the whole thing needs to shift, and the DOE should be held responsible for the monies that they spend," she said.

After 10 years representing Wai'alae and Palolo as a state senator, Matsunaga, 43, hopes to step up to a state seat.

Four years as co-chairman of the Senate's Judiciary Committee has proved his skill at sharing leadership, Matsunaga said, and "I hope to bring that kind of collaborative effort to the governor."

His primary goal would be to promote economic development in high technology and renewable energy, possibly as the governor's high-tech advisor.

Son of the late Spark Matsunaga, a popular U.S. congressman, the attorney acknowledged that the family name gives him an edge, but said he hoped he was recognized also for his 10 years in the Senate.

In education, Matsunaga plans to push for teacher accountability, better school buildings and infrastructure and more local control by encouraging the creation of charter schools.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.