Posted on: Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Republicans hoping new candidates will strengthen ranks in Legislature

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The Hawai'i Republican Party yesterday fired an early shot across the proverbial bow for control of the state Legislature, announcing the candidacies of 15 hopefuls for House and Senate seats.

Included among the names were nine who were sworn in as candidates together in the Office of Elections' downtown branch at the State Office Tower yesterday.

"Our focus is still the House," said Brennon Morioka, Hawai'i GOP chairman. "The idea is to take a majority in the House and, at the very minimum, get up to the veto override-proof number."

Democrats hold a 36-15 advantage in the 51-member House. It takes two-thirds of a legislative house to override a veto. Thus, the GOP needs three more seats in the House of Representatives to be able to form a bloc that would ensure it could sustain any veto by Gov. Linda Lingle.

The group announced yesterday was largely under 40, including Keoki Leong of Kane'ohe, 24; Alonzo Sandoval of Mililani, 33; Nadine Nishioka of Manoa-Mo'ili'ili, 33; Carol Phillips of the North Shore, 37; Kymberly Pine of 'Ewa, 33; Tracy Okubo of Makiki, 24; and Collin Wong of downtown Honolulu, 25.

Wong, who is seeking the seat in House District 28 (Iwilei, Downtown, Makiki) now occupied by Democrat Ken Hiraki, said a key reason he is running as a Republican is the GOP emphasis on fiscal responsibility and curbing taxes. "People should be able to keep what they make," Wong said.

Another first-time candidate is Wilson Kekoa Ho, 62, longtime chairman of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board.

Ho said he is a former Democrat who has been impressed with what Lingle has been able to do for his community.

Morioka said his goal is to have a Republican candidate in each of the 76 legislative seats.

"We don't want to let any race go uncontested," he said. "That wouldn't be fair to the constituents."

Brickwood Galuteria, who was elected over the weekend to be chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, said his party also hopes to "remain active in every possible race." He added: "We want to maintain or even increase our seats."

Other Republican candidates announced yesterday were House hopefuls Bob Tom of Nu'uanu, Karen Awana of the Leeward Coast, Rito Saniatan of Waipahu, Kaipo Duncan of Moanalua-Salt Lake; and Senate prospects Jim Henshaw and Butch Tilley of the Windward Coast, and Don Couch of West and South Maui.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.