Updated at 4:17 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Union endorses Big Island mayoral candidate
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawaii — Big Island mayoral candidate Billy Kenoi garnered one of the first major campaign endorsements of the season today, winning the backing of the 13,000-member United Public Workers union. The UPW has about 2,000 members on the Big Island.The endorsement may also be significant because Kenoi's best known opponent, state Sen. Lorraine Inouye, has traditionally enjoyed strong support from labor. Inouye was Big Island mayor from 1990 to 1992.
A statement released by the UPW said Kenoi was the unanimous pick of the UPW Hawaii Division Political Action Committee.
"We believe Billy Kenoi represents the future of our island, and that he has the education, experience, and vision to effectively advocate for our workers, their families and our community," said UPW State Director Dayton Nakanelua.
Kenoi, 39, worked as a deputy public defender in Honolulu from 1997 to 2001, when he resigned to become executive assistant to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim. He resigned from that post late last year to run for mayor.
Kenoi said he has raised about $87,000 so far for the campaign. He is a Democrat, but the Big Island mayoral race is technically a nonpartisan contest.
Other candidates in the race include Hilo County Councilman Stacy Higa and Kona County Councilman Angel Pilago.
