Special elections bring Nick Caleo, a real estate businessman living in Kau on the Big Island, normally goes to Naalehu Elementary School to vote on election day, a 10-minute drive from his house.
logistical headaches
Cost-cutting methods cause concern
2nd Congressional District polling places
about access to the polls
By Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comBut in the upcoming special elections for Congress, that polling place will be closed to save the state money. So Caleo will have to drive an extra 12 miles -- 20 to 25 minutes longer each way -- to Pahala where he is supposed to vote at Kau High School's cafeteria.
"It's a bit of an inconvenience for me, but I would still vote," Caleo said.
But for others in his rural community, voting may create a hardship "because we have some people in our community who don't have ready access to a vehicle as I do or have work schedules that make it more difficult," he said.
As a cost-cutting measure, more than half of the polling places in rural Oahu and on the neighbor islands will be eliminated for the Nov. 30 and Jan. 4 special elections for the 2nd Congressional District seat that became vacant when U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink died Sept. 28.
The first election will fill the remaining weeks of her current term and the second election will select a permanent replacement for the next two-year term.
The consolidation of precincts, to 91 from 192, for the special elections means that about half of the 178,000 potential voters in that race will be voting at new locations.
"Is there going to be confusion? Yes, there is. Is there going to be inconvenience? Yes, there is. But what are you going to do? You have to follow the law and do the best you can," said Hawaii County Clerk Al Konishi.
Some voters are concerned that eliminating precincts will deter people from voting.
Big Island County Councilman Dominic Yagong, who represents the Hamakua District, where polling places are already miles apart, said: "Anytime the electoral process has a perception of being tainted, it undermines democracy as far as I'm concerned."
Yagong said he believes election results could be challenged based on precinct closures, especially in a tight race.
"If you know a precinct is a very strong Republican precinct, and if you were to close that precinct down and have (those voters) travel several miles away to vote, then you may assume that you may lose some voters," Yagong said.
Distance between polls is another concern.
"The distances between precincts are very significant and with an aging population that we have in Hamakua, for example, it's very difficult for folks to travel from one precinct to another when it could easily be 10 to 15 miles away," Yagong said.
"People will go and get frustrated and they'll say, 'Screw it. I won't vote,'" said Republican Bob McDermott, the former state representative running for the seat.
Candidate Ed Case, the former state representative, said he doesn't fault the Office of Elections for trying to save money but the elections fall on busy holiday weekends and he worries about poor turnout.
Case is also urging absentee voting either by mail or at the clerk's office in each county.
"It's just a physical impossibility to get all the polling places we need," Konishi said.
The cost to run a statewide election is about $2 million, but cost-cutting measures and a lone race have brought the latest estimate to about $1.4 million. Critics originally called for the Nov. 30 election to be scrapped because they felt the cost was too high for what they saw as an unnecessary election.
State Elections Office spokesman Rex Quidilla said he is not sure exactly how much the state is saving with the precinct consolidation but the majority of the cost reduction comes from having to hire fewer poll workers.
"Obviously it's staffing. If you reduce the number of polling places, you don't have to recruit as many poll workers, you don't have to pay as many poll workers," Quidilla said.
As far as determining which polls to close and keep open, availability of the facilities and geography were part of the criteria.
"We tried to make some sense in this consolidation and at the same time balance the needs of a considerably smaller election with, of course, the considerations of travel for the voters in those communities," Quidilla said.
Election officials are sending out voter notification cards to let voters know where to vote.
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Here are the reduced number of polling places for two special elections. Precincts that have been consolidated with other precincts are marked with a dot (>>) under the actual polling place. All polling places are preceded by their district and precinct numbers: 2nd Congressional District
polling places
COUNTY OF HAWAII
01 01 Ikuo Hisaoka Gym 54-3853 Akoni Pule Highway >> 01-02 - Kohala Intermediate School 01 04 Honokaa High School cafeteria 45-527 Pakalana St. >> 01-03 - Kanekoa Garage 01 05 Paauilo Elementary School cafeteria 43-1497 Old Main Road 01 07 Laupahoehoe Community-School Library 35-2065 Mamalahoa Highway >> 01-06 - Ookala Carpenter Shop 01 08 Honohina Hongwanji Social Hall 32-896 Mamalahoa Highway 01 10 Honomu Gym 28-1641 Old Mamalahoa Hwy. >> 01-09 - Hakalau Gym 01 11 Kulaimano Community Center Hall 28-2892 Alia St. 01 12 Kalanianaole Elem/Inter School Cafeteria 27-330 Mamalahoa Highway 01 13 Puueo Multi-Culture Center Hall 145 Wainaku St. 02 01 Ernest B. DeSilva Elementary School cafeteria 278 Ainako Ave. >> 02-09 - Kaumana Elementary School 02 03 Hilo High School cafeteria 556 Waianuenue Ave. >> 01-14 - Hilo Union Elementary School >> 02-02 - Hilo Intermediate School 02 04 St. Joseph High School Gym 439 Kapiolani St. >> 02-05 - Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium >> 02-08 - Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School 02 06 Keaukaha Elementary School cafeteria 240 Desha Ave. 03 01 Waiakea Uka Gym 1200 Ainaola Drive >> 03-02 - Hale Aloha Nazarene School 03 04 Waiakea High School cafeteria 155 W Kawili St >> 02-07 - UH-Hilo Campus >> 03-03 - Komohana Research Center 03 07 Waiakeawaena Elementary School cafeteria 2420 Kilauea Ave >> 03-05 - Waiakea Intermediate School >> 03-06 - Waiakea Elementary School >> 03-08 - AJA Memorial Hall 04 02 Keaau High School SBG Mtg Rm 16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Road >> 03-09 - Keaau Middle School >> 04-01 - Olaa First Hawaiian Church 04 03 Hawaiian Paradise Community Center Makuu Drive >> 04-08 - Ainaloa Longhouse 04 06 Pahoa High School cafeteria 15-3038 Puna Road >> 04-04 - Keonepoko Elementary School >> 04-05 - Pahoa Community Center >> 04-07 - Opihikao Congregational Church 05 01 Mountain View Elementary School cafeteria 18-1235 New Volcano Hwy. >> 05-02 - Mountain View Community Gym 05 03 Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Road 05 04 Kau High Sch Cafeteria 96-3150 Pikake St. >> 05-05 - Naalehu Elementary School 05 06 Ocean View Community Center 92-8924 Leilani Circle 05 07 Milolii Halau Pavilion Milolii 05 10 Honaunau Elementary School cafeteria 83-5360 Mamalahoa Highway >> 05-08 - Hookena Elementary School >> 05-09 - St Benedict Catholic Church 05 11 Konawaena High School cafeteria 81-1043 Konawaena Sch. Rd. >> 05-12 - Konawaena Elementary School 06 02 Kahakai Elementary School cafeteria 76-147 Royal Poinciana Drive >> 06-03 - Kona Vistas Rec Ctr 06 04 Kona Imin Center 76-5877 Mamalahoa Highway >> 06-01 - Keauhou Fire Station 06 06 Kealakehe Elementary School cafeteria 74-5118 Kealakaa St. >> 06-07 - Kona United Methodist Church >> 06-08 - Kealakehe Intermediate School 07 01 Kealakehe High School cafeteria 74-5000 Puohulihuli St. >> 06-05 - Old Kona Airport Pavilion 07 02 Kona Palisades Community Ctr 73-1073 Ka Imi Nani Drive 07 03 Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria 68-1730 Hooko St. 07 05 Waimea Elem/Inter Sch Cafeteria 67-1225 Mamalahoa Highway >> 07-04 - Spencer Park Pavilion >> 07-06 - Kuhio Hale >> 07-07 - Mealani Research Station
COUNTY OF KAUAI
14 02 Kilauea Neighborhood Center Meeting Room 2460 Keneke St. >> 14-01 - Hanalei Elementary School 14 05 St. Catherine School Parish Hall 5021 Kawaihau Road >> 14-03 - Anahola Hawaiian Homes Clubhse >> 14-04 - Kapaa Elem Sch 15 01 Kapaa Middle School cafeteria 4867 Olohena Road >> 14-06 - Kapaa Neighborhood Center 15 04 Kauai High School cafeteria 3577 Lala Road >> 15-02 - King Kaumualii Elementary School >> 15-03 - Kauai War Mem Convention Hall >> 15-05 - Chiefess Kamakahelei Elementary School 15 06 Koloa Neighborhood Center Meeting Room 3461 Weliweli Road >> 16-01 - Koloa Elementary School 16 03 Kalaheo Elementary School (Kato Gym) 4400 Maka Road >> 16-02 - Kalaheo Neighborhood Center 16 04 Eleele Elem School cafeteria 4855 Melemele Road >> 16-05 - Hanapepe Recreation Center >> 16-06 - Kaumakani Neighborhood Center 16 07 Waimea Neighborhood Center Meeting Room 4556 Makeke Road >> 16-08 - Kekaha Neighborhood Center 16 09 Niihau Elementary/High School Niihau
COUNTY OF MAUI
08 03 Baldwin High School cafeteria 1650 Kaahumanu Ave. >> 08-01 - Waihee Elementary School >> 08-02 - Wailuku Community Center >> 08-04 - Paukukalo Hwn Homes Community Center 08 05 Wailuku Elementary School cafeteria 355 S High St. >> 08-06 - Waikapu Community Center >> 08-07 - Maui Economic Opportunity Center >> 09-01 - Iao School 09 03 Lihikai Elementary School cafeteria 335 S. Papa Ave. >> 09-02 - Maui Waena Intermediate School 09 05 Kahului Elementary School cafeteria 410 S. Hina Ave. >> 09-04 - Kahului Union Church >> 09-06 - Kahului Hongwanji >> 09-07 - Kaunoa Senior Citizen Center 10 02 King Kamehameha III Elem. School cafeteria 611 Front St. >> 10-04 - Princess Nahienaena Elementary School 10 03 Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria 871 Lahainaluna Road >> 10-05 - Lahaina Civic Center 10 06 Honolua United Methodist Church Room 5110 Kohi St. 11 02 Kaumalii Elementary School cafeteria 180 Alanui Ke Alii St. >> 11-01 - Keawalai Congregational Church 11 04 Kihei Elementary School cafeteria 250 E Lipoa St. >> 11-03 - Kihei Community Center 11 05 Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea Hall 100 Kulanihakoi St. >> 10-01 - Kenolio Recreational Complex 12 01 Kalama Intermediate School cafeteria 120 Makani Road >> 12-02 - Eddie Tam Memorial Complex 12 04 Mayor Hannibal Tavares Comm. Center Hall 91 Pukalani St. >> 12-03 - Pukalani Elementary School 12 06 Kula Elementary School cafeteria 5000 Kula Highway >> 12-05 - Kula Community Center >> 12-07 - Merton Kekiwi Garage 13 03 Haiku Community Center 1008 Hana Highway >> 13-01 - Paia Community Ctr >> 13-02 - Haiku Elementary School >> 13-04 - Kaulanapueo Church 13 06 Hana High/Elementary School cafeteria 4111 Hana Highway >> 13-05 - Keanae Elementary School 13 07 Lanai High/Elementary School cateteria 555 Fraser Ave. 13 09 Kaunakakai School cafeteria 30 Ailoa St. >> 13-08 - Kilohana Community Center >> 13-10 - Maunaloa Elementary School >> 13-11 - Kualapuu Community Center 13 12 Kalaupapa Settlement Hall County of Kalawao
CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
39 01 Helemano Elementary School cafeteria 1001 Ihi Ihi Ave. 39 03 Leilehua High School cafeteria 1515 California Ave. >> 39-02 - Wahiawa Elementary School 39 04 Wahiawa Middle School cafeteria 275 Rose St. >> 39-06 - Kaala Elementary School >> 46-02 - National Guard Armory 40 02 Kapolei Elem School cafeteria 91-1159 Kamaaha Loop >> 40-03 - Kapolei High Sch 40 04 Makakilo Elementary School cafeteria 92-675 Anipeahi St. >> 40-05 - Mauka Lani Elementary School >> 40-06 - Makakilo Community Park 41 05 Kaleiopuu Elementary School cafeteria 94-665 Kaaholo St >> 40-01 - Royal Kunia Island Clubhouse >> 41-06 - Hoaeae Community Park 44 01 Kamokila Park Recreation Center 91-015 Farrington Hwy. 44 03 Nanaikapono Elementary School cafeteria 89-195 Farrington Hwy. >> 44-02 - Nanakuli Elementary School 44 04 Maili Elementary School cafeteria 87-360 Kulaaupuni St. 45 02 Waianae Intermediate School cafeteria 85-626 Farrington Hwy. >> 45-01 - Waianae Elementary School >> 45-03 - Kamaile Elementary School 45 04 Makaha Elementary School cafeteria 84-760 Lahaina St. 46 01 Del Monte Gym Kunia 46 04 Haleiwa Elementary School cafeteria 66-505 Haleiwa Road >> 46-03 - Waialua Elementary School 46 05 Sunset Beach Elementary School cafeteria 59-360 Kamehameha Hwy. 46 06 Kahuku High/Intermediate School cafeteria 56-490 Kamehameha Hwy. 46 07 Laie Elementary School cafeteria 55-109 Kulanui St. 47 01 Hauula Elementary School cafeteria 54-046 Kamehameha Hwy. 47 02 Kahaluu Elementary School cafeteria 47-280 Waihee Road >> 47-03 - KEY Project 47 06 Ahuimanu Elementary School cafeteria 47-470 Hui Aeko Place 48 01 Heeia Elementary School cafeteria 46-202 Haiku Road >> 47-04 - King Intermediate School 48 03 Castle High School cafeteria 45-386 Kaneohe Bay Drive >> 49-05 - Puohala Elementary School 48 04 Kaneohe Elementary School cafeteria 45-495 Kamehameha Hwy. 48 05 Windward Community College Room 102 45-720 Keaahala Road >> 48-02 - Kapunahala Elementary School >> 47-05 - Kaneohe District Park 49 01 Enchanted Lake Elementary School cafeteria 770 Keolu Drive >> 51-06 - St. John Vianney Parish School 49 03 Maunawili Elementary School cafeteria 1465 Ulupii St. >> 49-04 - Kailua High School 49 07 Benjamin Parker Elementary School cafeteria 45-259 Waikalua Road >> 49-06 - Parker United Methodist Church 50 03 Kailua Intermediate School cafeteria 145 S Kainalu Drive >> 51-01- Lanikai Elementary School >> 51-07 - Kailua Field 50 04 Kailua Elementary School cafeteria 315 Kuulei Road >> 50-01 - St Anthony Church >> 50-02 - Kailua Field 50 05 Kainalu Elementary School cafeteria 165 Kaiholu St. >> 50-06 - Kalaheo High School >> 50-07 - Aikahi Elementary School 51 02 Waimanalo Elem./Inter. School cafeteria 41-1330 Kalanianaole Hwy. >> 51-03 - Pope Elementary School 51 05 Keolu Elementary School cafeteria 1416 Keolu Drive >> 49-02 - Kaelepulu Elementary School >> 51-04 - Kaelepulu Elementary School
