Holt, Chun Oakland
contest turns dirty

Smear tactics are being used
in the heated race for the Senate

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

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Anonymous smear campaigns have surfaced in the final week before the election Saturday, and both Holt and Chun Oakland insist they had nothing to do with the attacks.

The darker side of campaigning emerged, some observers say, because much is at stake in the Senate District 14 (Palama-Alewa Heights) race:

It is a key referendum on same-sex marriage.

Holt is a leading foe of homosexual marriages. Chun Oakland, who favors domestic partnerships, voted against a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting gay unions.

It has significant implications for the reorganization of the Senate after the general election and how legislative business will be conducted.

Holt's critics, while acknowledging him as a master of legislative procedure, contend he is more concerned with gamesmanship and power plays than with issues. Senate reformers are counting on Chun Oakland's election to help ensure a majority and aid in implementing changes, such as having committee chairmen elected by the majority caucus, rather than anointed by the controlling faction.

It could influence how the Legislature will shape proposals to reduce Hawaii's high cost of automobile insurance, a major concern for the past two years.

Plaintiff lawyers oppose Holt. As Senate Consumer Protection chairman, Holt has pushed "pure" no-fault, which would cut insurance costs in part by reducing attorneys' fees. Holt's critics considered his proposal to be too favorable for insurance companies.

Yesterday, a flier with the heading, "Do you support homosexual marriage? Then support Suzanne Chun Oakland," surfaced in the district. It came from a "Puunui Parents Project" that gave no telephone number and an incomplete address.

The flier also chastised Chun Oakland for making Holt's character an issue, adding: "We have not seen one piece of literature from him trashing her as his opponent. Is that virtue, Mrs. Chun Oakland?"

Former City Council Chairman Gary Gill, a member of Chun Oakland's campaign inner circle, said: "We expected a last-minute misinformation campaign where Susie's belief on same-sex marriage would be misstated by the opposition."

Chun Oakland said she is not opposed to traditional marriage between a man and a woman, but believes there should be an institution like domestic partnership to recognize committed and caring relationships among gay couples.

Character, she insisted, is an issue in the race. "We need to elect good role models."

Chun Oakland said she told Holt's mother her campaign was not behind the distribution of copies of a Honolulu Weekly cartoon picturing Holt in a red-light district with special-interest money in his pocket and a prostitute in the background.

In his coffee hours with voters, Holt has acknowledged his personal life has been scarred by alcoholism and spousal abuse that led to the breakup of his marriage. But personal appeals for a second chance, coupled with his underscoring that he is a veteran lawmaker who has delivered needed projects to the district, appear to have softened some voters.

His supporters say Holt got a late start in the race because he put his three sons before his campaign. He took the boys, ages 7, 9 and 11, to Waikoloa on the Big Island to swim with dolphins in July, when his backers wanted him to start giving his full attention to his campaign. "But after all he's been through with the family problems, you can't criticize Milton for what he did," said a key supporter, John Radcliffe, a lobbyist and associate executive director of the University of Hawaii faculty union.

Both camps agree Chun Oakland is leading, but Holt's people believe he is narrowing the gap.

There is one gap Holt can't close, however, insists the Rev. Akira Sakima, Chun Oakland's campaign manager. "There's a gender gap. That's definite," he said, explaining that he expects women, who generally share Chun Oakland's concern for family, social and health issues, to be a key element of her support.

"Everybody has problems," Holt said. "Everybody makes mistakes. Women, too."