Legislator still in race despite arrest
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
Rep. Brian Blundell's arrest on misdemeanor sexual assault charges near Kapi'olani Park has Democratic Party leaders hopeful about unseating the freshman legislator and possibly stemming Republican efforts to win more House seats.
Blundell, a Republican from West Maui, had been unopposed in his re-election bid for the 10th District and was looking forward to his 63rd birthday this week.
Blundell
Asked yesterday if he was still running for re-election, Blundell said, "I am still in the race. I want my constituents to answer that question. If they've still got any trust in me at all, that will come out in the polls."
Blundell spoke via telephone from Maui at a news conference at the Republican Party headquarters on Kapi'olani Boulevard, where a Blundell campaign poster hangs in the front window.
But Democratic Party leaders yesterday said they now expect to see at least one strong Democratic candidate enter the race before Tuesday's filing deadline.
"Our hope and our commitment is to maintain the seats we have and maybe increase them," said Brickwood Galuteria, chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i. "With this development, we may be able to increase them. We're definitely going to be putting somebody up.
"I'd really like people to understand that public service is still very noble, whether it's Democratic or Republican that this happens to," Galuteria said. "Although he was arrested, it's still innocent until proven guilty."
Blundell acknowledged that he was arrested by Honolulu police Thursday night, handcuffed and booked on fourth-degree, sexual assault charges.
Honolulu police records show that Blundell was arrested at 11:15 p.m. on Paki Avenue, one of the major streets that borders Kapi'olani Park.
Blundell said he frequently takes morning and evening walks and was in Honolulu Thursday and Friday to catch up on correspondence and other tasks at his Capitol legislative office.
He said he was walking alone Thursday night and acknowledged that he had an encounter with two men. But Blundell said he was the only person arrested.
He was arraigned Friday morning and is scheduled to enter a plea in District Court on Aug. 6. Blundell said he understood that the charges were petty misdemeanors.
Blundell repeatedly declined to describe what led up to his arrest, and said he may have more information when and he and his lawyer — Honolulu attorney Howard Luke — see the Honolulu police report.
"There was an incident and I was arrested," Blundell said. "I plan on taking full responsibility."
Blundell is the CEO of Central Pacific Marine, a 22-year-old, Maui-based marine engine sales and service company. His wife of 20 years died in 1995 and Blundell said that he had yet to tell his 25-year-old daughter on the Mainland about his arrest.
"This is a very trying time for me," Blundell said.
Republican Party chairman Brennon Morioka said he told Gov. Linda Lingle about Blundell's arrest yesterday.
"It's unclear as to the seriousness of the charges," Morioka said. "But we as the Republican Party are supportive of Rep. Blundell as a member of our family and as a friend. Until all of the details come out, we are there to support Rep. Blundell. Our primary concern has always been the welfare of the person first."
Lingle spokesman Russell Pang said last night that the governor had little to add to Morioka's comments. "The governor is aware of the situation and we will wait to learn the facts," Pang said.
Republicans have been making a push to add to their 15 House seats. They especially would like to have three more, which would theoretically enable them to block Democratic attempts to override vetoes by Gov. Lingle.
House Majority Leader Scott Saiki, D-22nd (McCully, Pawa'a), said that a couple of Democratic candidates had been considering running for Blundell's seat even before his arrest.
"I'm pretty sure one of them will be filing before the deadline," Saiki said. "I'm sure it (Blundell's arrest) will fuel that decision."
Saiki said he was sorry to hear about Blundell's arrest.
"Brian was a very thoughtful legislator and I enjoyed working with him," Saiki said. "He was a strong advocate for his district, but he also worked hard and he really thought about what was in the best interest for the entire state. So I was very sorry to hear about this incident."
Advertiser staff writer Will Hoover contributed to this report. Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8085.
