Republicans ready
to ‘take the state’

They hope Lingle and
the economy may swing voters
to their side

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Saying it has "raised the bar" in political expectations, Hawaii's Republican Party starts a three-day convention tonight in Waikiki.

The ambitious tag line for the gathering, according to Donna Alcantara, GOP chairwoman, is "Take the State in '98."

Republicans, who have been a minority in state politics since statehood, are hoping that a young, new candidate for governor, Maui Mayor Linda Lingle, will energize the party.

"We are doing direct mail, we are doing telemarketing and we have increased our donor base four times, and I want to increase it another four times," said Alcantara.

Republicans figure that the state's seven-year recession will provoke enough voter backlash against the majority Democratic Party to sweep out many high-ranking incumbents.

The convention starts tonight at the Prince Kuhio Hotel with a speech by U.S. Sen. John McCain.

Alcantara said convention delegate registration stands at 500. Last year, about 300 delegates attended. In 1996 only 150 delegates were at the GOP convention.

"No Republican will have been to a local convention like the one we have planned," she said.

Past Republican conventions have been marked by walkouts and bitter interparty fights over the abortion issue. Alcantara has again asked former U.S. Attorney Dan Bent to handle the platform committee, in an effort to moderate the debate.

Much of the discussion has already happened on the county convention level, she added, explaining that debate on abortion, same-sex marriage and other polarizing issues has already been held.

"We want a platform that will help get people elected and we made a decision to keep the divisive issues out of it," she said.

Two years ago, the GOP attempted to smooth over differences in the party by locking reporters out of platform, resolution and rules meetings.

At that time the GOP chairwoman, Jane Tatibouet, said the meetings were closed to ensure full and frank discussion.

At this year's convention the main activity will be campaigning by the primary election candidates.

Lingle is opposed by former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi.

The Republican lieutenant governor ballot is already crowded with two former state senators, Michael Liu and Stan Koki.

Also the GOP has a primary election race for the 1st Congressional District as state Reps. Gene Ward and Quentin Kawananakoa are opposing each other.

At a news conference to kick off her campaign for governor yesterday, Lingle diplomatically stayed away from the lieutenant governor race.