Kawananakoa
will run for
Congress

A primary battle looms between
the state House GOP leader
and Rep. Gene Ward

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

State House Republican leader Quentin Kawananakoa of Nuuanu says he will seek the seat of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.

The formal announcement of his candidacy was to be made at a news conference today.

In an interview before his announcement, Kawananakoa said he was declaring his candidacy two weeks before the start of the 1998 legislative session so questions regarding his political ambitions won't cloud his work at the state Capitol.

"It's to clear the air to make sure everyone understands that I'm running for Congress, but that I'll be working at the Legislature the next four months where we've got important issues," Kawananakoa said. "I need to focus on state issues. After the session, I'll gear up for the (congressional) campaign."

Kawananakoa's declaration sets the stage for what could be a contentious primary fight with state Rep. Gene Ward of Hahaione Valley, whom Kawananakoa forced out as House minority leader.

"I'm confident that Gene will come to terms with who's best to run against Neil Abercrombie," Kawananakoa said.

Asked if he meant that Ward should drop out of the race, Kawananakoa reiterated: "Who has the best chance of beating Neil Abercrombie? Gene needs to ask himself that, in his heart. That's the question I had to ask myself."

Ward said: "Either of us could beat Mr. Abercrombie."

He looks forward to meeting Kawananakoa in the Republican primary, Ward said, adding that a contested primary gives Republican voters a choice.

Democrat Abercrombie declined to offer an assessment of a Kawananakoa-Ward primary. "It's for the voters in their party to make the choice," he said.

Abercrombie, Kawananakoa and Ward said reinvigorating Hawaii's economy will be a central -- if not the key -- theme in their campaigns. Abercrombie, 59, said he has been focusing his attention on strengthening Hawaii's economy.

His campaign, said Kawananakoa, 36, will stress job creation and making Hawaii more "business friendly."

He will seek more federal appropriations, foreign trade and tourism, Kawananakoa added.

Ward, 54, the founder of the Hawaii Entrepreneurship Training and Development Institute, said he has "the maturity and commitment to fix the economy of Hawaii."

Quentin Kawananakoa

Age: 36.

Experience: House minority leader since August 1997, state representative since 1994.

Work: Attorney.

Education: University of Hawaii law school, J.D.; University of Southern California, B.S. in business administration; Punahou School.

Personal: Married, father of a 6-month-old son.