Heftel's '86 debts recalled

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

When the state Campaign Spending Commission closed the file on Cec Heftel's failed 1986 campaign for governor three years ago, Bob Watada, the commission's executive director, thought Heftel had left Hawai'i politics for good.

Watada was willing to forgive $40,000 in debts Heftel apparently still owed for research, polling, catering, rental cars and other items, along with the $1.8 million Heftel owed himself for expenses he covered during the campaign.

Susan Heftel Liquido, Heftel's daughter, explained to commission officials that Heftel was aging and likely never to return to politics in the Islands.

But the former U.S. congressman has returned. He was the leading vote-getter in the September primary for an O'ahu at-large seat on the state Board of Education.

"It was our understanding that he was not coming back," Watada said. "I was very surprised."

Heftel, who suffered a hip injury and has been hospitalized or in rehabilitation since August, has not been able to campaign as actively as he would like for the school board. He did loan his campaign $40,000 before the primary and has run television advertisements, unlike most of the other board candidates.

"I thought I paid everything I thought needed to be paid at the time," Heftel said, adding that it was hard to recall whether debts now 18 years old were settled or forgiven.

But he said he is open to discussing how to resolve any outstanding debts if people are concerned. "If someone wants to meet with me I'd be willing," he said.

Heftel, now 80, is a former broadcasting executive who served as a Democrat in Congress from 1976 to 1986. He gave up his seat to run for governor but lost in the Democratic primary to John Waihee, who was eventually elected governor.

In Heftel's case, since it was so old, the Campaign Spending Commission could only have refused to close his campaign file until Heftel paid his debts, according to Watada. The law has since been strengthened so that lingering debts can be considered campaign contributions and, if over the legal limit, candidates can be fined for accepting excessive donations.

The intent, Watada said, is to get candidates to meet all of their obligations. "You can't walk away from it," he said.