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THE HOT LEGISLATIVE RACES
House District 22
Sen. Sam Slom is in an unusual position this election. After four years in the high-profile position of attacking much of the majority Democrats' proposals, Slom finds he has to reintroduce himself to voters in his East Honolulu-Hawaii Kai district. Slom lacks recognition
in own district"This is a different campaign than four years ago," he says. "Then, a lot of people were unhappy with the incumbent (former state Sen. Donna Ikeda). Now a lot of people in the district weren't here four years ago."
The 8th Senate District runs from Aina Haina to Hanauma Bay. It is a strong Republican area with a higher-than-average income level. Two years ago, the district went solidly for GOP gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle.
Slom is being opposed by Marsha Joyner, an Olelo television producer and part owner of Hair Fair Beauty Salon in Waikiki. She also is a strong Democratic Party activist and was elected by the party as one of the state's four Democratic electors to the Electoral College.
The party label, Joyner says, is not important in this race.
"People aren't asking me if I'm a Democrat or Republican, they are asking, 'What are you going to do to me?' They say the present senator hasn't communicated in 3 1/2 years," Joyner says.
For Slom, the battle is to "talk to the people who weren't here four years ago."
"I am stressing we have got to get four or five Republicans in the Senate," said Slom, who has served his first term with only one other GOP senator.
Much of the campaign debate in the East Honolulu district is about how to improve the business economy.
Joyner hopes to start an East Honolulu commerce planning group that would locate empty or under-used office space and bring in high-tech firms to use the office space.
Slom, president of Small Business Hawaii, SMS Consultants and Convention Speakers of Hawaii, is stressing continued tax reform and fewer government regulations on business.
Richard Borreca, Star-Bulletin
Sam Slom (R) SENATE DISTRICT 8
Kalama Valley, Aina Haina
Occupation: Legislator; president, Small Business Hawaii
Background: Economist, Bank of Hawaii; private economic consultantMarsha Joyner (D)
Occupation: Beauty shop co-owner
Background: Video producer, cancer survivor and community activist
Republican Joseph Kinoshita sees dissatisfaction in the voters of his urban Honolulu district, dissatisfaction directed at their current representative. Candidates battle
over district’s
economic status"No real attention is being paid to them," Kinoshita said.
Not so, says Democratic incumbent Terry Nui Yoshinaga.
"Frankly, I'm out there in the community, telling them what I've done over the last six years, and I think they have seen results during my tenure in office," she said. "I think my commitment has led to a lot of good things. I'm open, fair and committed. (Residents) see me as being a good resource and good leader."
But Yoshinaga also said that being part of the community is something she does all year long and has done all her life -- unlike her opponent, who moved into the district.
"I stand on my record. I grew up in my district, so I'm committed to it," she said.
Kinoshita ran unsuccessfully against House Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo) in 1998.
Kinoshita said that residents in the district want to see economic improvements affect them.
"Economically,the district is next to the bottom in the state," Kinoshita said. "I would like to help the residents so they can enjoy a better standard of living. It's not necessary to stay in the present situation when you have the power to make the improvement."
First things first, though. Kinoshita wants to personally meet as many people in his district as possible and to seek out the independent vote, but that could prove difficult with the district's many apartment and condominium dwellers.
"A change can only start with the courage of a voter," Kinoshita said. "These are the voters we are trying to reach, majority of the voters who are not committed to any party or any organization."
Yoshinaga said her work at the Legislature has made an economic difference for residents in her district and the entire state.
"There has been change in tax reform, tax reduction, improving our crime stats, support for prisons," she said. "I believe the House's investigation by the Energy Committee (which she chaired) has saved millions of dollars for consumers."
Crystal Kua, Star-Bulletin
Terry Nui Yoshinaga (D) HOUSE DISTRICT 22
McCully, Moiliili, Pawaa
Occupation: Legislator
Background: AttorneyJoseph A. Kinoshita (R)
Occupation: Attorney
Background: Former member, Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Neighborhood Board
Starbulletin.com Election Results
State Office of Elections
