Governor calls Fasi
better mayor than Lingle

Fasi and Lingle are vying for the
Republican gubernatorial nomination

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano has fired another salvo at Linda Lingle, the Republican gubernatorial candidate and Maui mayor, saying former longtime Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi was a better municipal chief executive.

Fasi is contesting Lingle for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

But it was Lingle, not Fasi, who had the stronger presence at the recent Republican state convention. That, Fasi asserted, "was orchestrated by the Lingle people. I allowed them to do that. It's not what the Republican rank and file thinks."

"Frank Fasi," Cayetano said yesterday, "did a lot for the City and County of Honolulu. I think history will show that. There is no comparison."

Continuing his assessment of Fasi, who was mayor for 22 years, and Lingle, who's concluding her eighth and final year as mayor, Cayetano said, "Don't compare driving a little Volkswagen with driving a big bus. That's what Frank Fasi has been doing over the years."

The city has more than 9,000 employees and an annual operating budget of about $1.37 billion, compared to Maui's 1,900 workers and an annual budget of $200 million. Honolulu has roughly 10 times the population of Maui.

Lingle agreed that Fasi has done much for the city. But unlike her, she said, he has no experience leading a municipality through seven years of economic hardship while creating jobs, increasing the financial reserves of government and maintaining high bond ratings.

Lingle added: "It is obvious Ben is trying to divert attention from his inability to turn around the economy. The public has lost confidence in his ability to do so."

Fasi said Cayetano's comparison "was well-taken. Her operation is like a mom-and-pop store compared to someone who runs General Motors."

Cayetano also said about Lingle: "I think it is reaching a bit for anyone to say, as she has, 'I've kept the economy strong.' She has no more influence over the outside forces that affect the economy of the state than I do or the president of the United States. I'm talking about what happens in Japan, in Asia and places like that."

Lingle countered: "A politician can influence external forces impacting on the isle economy. You can influence how people want to invest here, both outsiders and local investors. The big thing is the attitude of government. The state government is anti-business."

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Kawananakoa to enter
race for Congress

Star-Bulletin

State House Republican leader Quentin Kawananakoa was to file his nomination papers today for the urban Honolulu congressional seat now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.

Kawananakoa's entry into the race would set up a primary battle with state Rep. Gene Ward, who was ousted as minority leader last year by Kawananakoa.

Ward filed his nomination papers two weeks ago.

Both Ward (Hahaione Valley) and Kawananakoa (Nuuanu) have continued to pressure the other to drop out of the race.

In a recent debate before a Republican group, Ward said Kawananakoa should run for lieutenant governor, creating a "dream team" GOP ticket headed by Maui Mayor Linda Lingle.

At this past weekend's Republican state convention, the Kawananakoa campaign was distributing a column by self-described conservative commentator Brett White that was headlined, "Hawaii still needs Gene Ward in state Legislature."