Rotunda: An independent campaign guide to E-Day
HONOLULU—It’s Election Day today. Find your polling place here. See a complete list of candidates and other official information at the Office of Elections website: http://hawaii.gov/elections.
And here’s a slice of what’s been going on leading up to the primaries: The Hawaii Independent‘s recent campaign commentary, candidate interviews, and other handy links to check out before heading to the polls.
Democracy, unlike this campaign season, has to be issues-driven
First up, The Hawaii Independent columnist and Hawaii Public Radio host Beth-Ann Kozlovich reminds us that while the campaign season is catapulting issues, facts, and insults to front pages and back rooms, these days, it’s tough not to think or be talking about some of them.
In Search of Real Security
With the issues in mind, Jon Letman reported on a discussion on Kauai in August that explored the impacts of a U.S. economy too intensely focused on its military operations overseas. Real security, it was said, will come when Hawaii is not dominated by military spending but instead supports more immediate human needs: health, education, preservation of the environment, sustainable energy, and fostering a culture the builds rather than destroys.
Dread and hope, pride and praise in the aftermath of HB444
The Hawaii Independent‘s Samson Kaala Reiny reported on Gov. Linda Lingle’s ultimate decision on civil unions. The governor called the issue the biggest of the 2010 session.
Campaign signage: What’s wrong with this picture?
Also, The Hawaii Independent‘s East Oahu editor Barb Forsyth took a few pokes at the “art” made by all of Hawaii’s campaign signs plastered to homes.
Hawaii governor’s race
Hannemann uses popular slogan in ad, environmental groups demand retraction
The Hawaii Independent‘s North Shore Editor Jade Eckardt covers the reaction of preservation groups, who say Hannemann shouldn’t imply that he’s “keeping the country country.”
Hawaii’s Aloha spirit is being tested in Democratic primary for governor
The Washington Post’s Jason Horowitz scopes out Hawaii gubernatorial candidates Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann and their election strategies, their reactions to negative campaigning, and their relationships with President Barack Obama.
Mayor Kenoi’s Mufi endorsement raises eyebrows
West Hawaii Today reports that Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi’s endorsement of gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann in a contested primary race goes against the Democratic Party’s neutrality philosophy, party leaders said.
Hannemann, Abercrombie discuss tax hikes as Democratic primary for Hawaii governor approaches
Associated Press’ Mark Niesse reports that Hawaii’s Democratic gubernatorial candidates differed on the issue of raising taxes, with Neil Abercrombie opposing a hike in the general excise tax “without equivocation” and Mufi Hannemann saying such an increase wouldn’t be considered “initially.” The issue was brought up in a candidate forum hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.
Hawaii Pastors Speak Out Against Invoking God In Politics
KITV4 News reports on group of Hawaii pastors who spoke out about what they called a disturbing trend in the current election campaign, particularly in the governor’s race.
Hawaii GOP chair tells Christians to shun Hannemann
KITV4 News’ Denby Fawcett reports on a letter being circulated written by Hawaii State GOP Chairman Jonah Kaauwai, which warns conservative Christians in Hawaii that “[Gubernatorial candidate Mufi] Hannemann’s campaign strategy is a trap of lies and baited deception and is being fueled by that very fear. Do not be deceived.” Republican candidate Duke Aiona denounced the letter, saying it was divisive.
Hannemann admits mistake on off-island fundraiser
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann acknowledged mistakes were made in the planning for a June fundraiser but also sought to deflect some of the scrutiny onto his rivals, Associated Press’ Herbert A. Sample reports.
11 vying for Hawaii’s second highest post
Local 5 endorses Hooser for lieutenant governor
Crowded race sees 11 hopefuls vie to be lieutenant governor
The Star-Advertiser looks at the crowded LG race.
Hawaii State Legislature
State Senate District 2 candidate Timothy Waugh answers community questions
State Senate District 2 candidate Lee McIntosh answers community questions
State Senate District 2 candidate Michael W. Hale answers community questions
District 2 is composed of Waiakea Uka, Kalapana, Volcano, and Kahuku on Hawaii Island.
Meet your candidates for state Senate District 7
The Garden Island looks at Kauai’s Senate candidates.
State Senate District 8 candidate Larry Price answers community questions
State Senate District 8 incumbent Sam Slom answers community questions
District 8 is composed of Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina, Kahala, and Diamond Head.
Senate District 9 candidate Daniel N. Davidson answers community questions
District 9 comprises Palolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights, Kaimuki, Kapahulu, West Diamond Head, and Waikiki Gold Coast.
Senate District 10 incumbent Brian Taniguchi answers community questions
State Senate District 10 candidate Eric Marshall answers community questions
District 10 comprises Manoa, Moiliili, McCully, and Makiki.
Senate District 19 incumbent Mike Gabbard answers community questions
District 19 is comprised of Honokai Hale, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Royal Kunia, Village Park, Waikele, and portions of Ko Olina and Waipahu.
Senate District 20 candidate Tito Montes talks efficiency and fiscal responsibility
State Senate District 20 encompasses Ewa Beach, Ewa, West Loch, lower Waipahu, and Honouluili.
Donavan Dela Cruz drops out of mayor’s race to run for Senate District 22
State Senate District 22 candidate Gerald Hagino answers community questions
District 22 is comprised of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Haleiwa, Mokuleia, and North Shore.
State Senate District 24 candidate Tracy Nakano Bean answers community questions
District 24 is composed of Kaneohe, Kaneohe MCAB, Kailua, and Enchanted Lake.
Republican Beth Fukumoto tries to find a middle ground with Hawaii voters
An interview with candidate Beth Fukumoto, running for State House District 37, which includes Mililani and Waipio Gentry.
City and County of Honolulu
Verbatim: Ed Case makes late appeal for Carlisle
Panos Prevedouros: ‘A civil engineer is the perfect professional for the job’
ILWU endorses Acting Mayor Kirk Caldwell
Honolulu mayoral candidates still steaming about rail
KITV4 News reports that rail, not surprisingly, took center state at Tuesday’s Honolulu mayoral debate.
City Council District 6 race packed with candidates
There were 10 candidates for Honolulu City Council District 6, as of the Office of Elections Candidate Report on July 23. The Hawaii Independent submitted the same list of questions to each of the 10 candidates. District 6 is comprised of a portion of Makiki, Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Liliha, Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu, Alewa Heights, Papakolea, Kalihi Valley, and a portion of greater Kalihi.
See the responses of all District 6 candidates:
Lawrence Fenton 1| 2
Timothy Garry
Shawn Hamamoto 1
Frank Lavoie 1
Carlton Middleton 1
Sesnita Moepono
Dennis Nakasato 1
Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo 1
Robert Vieira 1
Christopher Wong 1
Maui County
County Council candidate profiles for Makawao-Haiku-Paia seat
Lahaina News has published information on four Maui County Council candidates. Mary Ribucan Cochran, Kai Nishiki, Leona Bak Nomura, and Mike White are vying for the Makawao-Haiku-Paia seat on the Maui County Council.
Hawaii County
Race to the Puna Makai council seat erupts
Kauai County
Meet your Kauai County Council candidates
Capitol Hill
Republicans, Democrats still battling over Bush-era tax cuts
John Willoughby: ‘I will never betray my personal values or principles for political favor’
John Willoughby is running for the Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
Comment: Chastising moderates within the Republican Party driving away independents
Will union ties help or hinder Democrats against a Republican Congressional incumbent?
The L.A. Times’ Carol J. Williams spoke with Congressman Charles Djou (R) and Congressional candidate Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D) about the Hawaii GOP’s strategy of criticizing the influence of organized union labor.
The Hawaii Independent‘s conservative columnist Steve Jackson had quite a bit more to say about Hawaii’s Republican push to the primaries and the “Democratic status quo”:
Comment: Obama is the establishment
Blog: President’s economic plan offers no real incentives to small businesses
Comment: Help wanted! The world needs skilled labor
Comment: Political parties are overplaying their hands
Comment: Hawaii’s one-party domination isn’t cutting it
Comment: The 14th Amendment must be protected
Comment: On the precipice of a double dip recession
Comment: Youth and newfound energy cross paths in Hawaii’s Republican party
Other election resources
Hawaii’s over-50 voters expected to come out big again in the fall elections
AARP created a voter guide with top issues resulting from its survey for each election race. All candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and State Legislative races were invited to answer and the on-line guide is available at www.aarp.org/hi. For the Congressional race, candidates will be queried following the primary.
Olelo provides Primary Election programming seven-days-a-week
Since August 29, Olelo Community Media has been providing Hawaii viewers an extensive portfolio of Primary Elections programming, including debates, forums, and candidate profiles. Up until the Primary Elections on Saturday, September 18, election shows will air daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Pride At Work sends surveys to primary election candidates
Pride At Work Hawaii’s legislative action committee sent primary election issue surveys to all candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, State House, and State Senate. The surveys asked candidates’ positions on LGBT and workers rights, affordable housing, women’s reproductive rights, maintaining government services, health care, and more.
Meet your Kauai candidates
The Garden Island has Q&As with candidates representing Kauai and Niihau.
Candidates on the issues and personal commitments
Kanu Hawaii polled members to find out which issues are most important to the Kanu Hawaii community. They then asked candidates where they stand on those issues and about the personal commitments they’ve made to help address them.
Voting for next prosecutor: Hawaii human trafficking issue
Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery took a look at responses by the Honolulu City Prosecutor candidates regarding human trafficking.
Hawaii League of Women Voters website hosts candidate statements
The Hawaii League of Women Voters will provide voters the statements of candidates running in the September 18 primary election. The State Office of Elections formerly posted this information on its website but discontinued the service citing budgetary constraints. Voters can access the candidate information by clicking on the “Candidates—Election 2010” on the League’s home page at www.lwv-hawaii.coM.
Voter info
Voters must vote at their assigned polling place. To confirm your polling place and precinct number, go to http://elections3.hawaii.gov/ppl/ and follow the instructions, or call the Office of Elections at (808) 453-8683 or 1(800)442-8683 from the neighbor islands.
Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Be sure to have your picture ID with a signature on it for verification of your identity. Your Voter Registration Notice is not an acceptable form of identification.
If you received an absentee ballot in the mail but have not returned it, you have three options: (1) complete the ballot and drop it off at any polling place on the island where you are registered during voting hours; (2) complete the ballot and drop it at the State Capitol during voting hours; or (3) discard your ballot and go vote at your assigned polling place.
Plan ahead. Remember that the telecast of the UH football game against Colorado begins at 9:30 a.m.
For additional information, call the Voter Hotline at (808) 453-VOTE (8683). “Neighbor Islands” call toll-free at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683).
Website address: www.hawaii.gov/elections.
Persons with hearing or speech disabilities should call the Office of Elections’ TTY phone at (808) 453-6150. Neighbor Islands call TTY toll-free at 1-800-345-5915 or the Sprint Relay Hawaii TRS at 711 (V/TTY); 847-9508 (FAX); Voice Carry Over (VCO): 1 (877) 447-5992; Speech to Speech (STS): 1 (877) 447-8711.
Editor’s note: We’re still adding links and resources to this. If there’s any particular news story you think people should read before going into the polls or if there are any other online resources we should point to, please email [email protected].