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Tamayo postpones
announcement on
her future
State Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo has postponed an announcement on her legislative duties and active military duty.
Tamayo had set a press conference for yesterday, but it was "postponed until further notice," according to a news release.
Tamayo (D, Waipahu-Ewa), a specialist in the Hawaii National Guard, was activated last Monday and given orders that will send her to Iraq for an 18-month deployment.
This is a question about whether Tamayo can serve both as elected official and active-duty soldier.
Hawaii military and state officials have said they are not planning to request that Tamayo be removed either from office or as a candidate for re-election.
But a Defense Department directive says that members of the armed services are prohibited from serving in partisan public offices if their military duty is for more than 270 days unless she gets a special exemption.
The 23-year-old freshman Democrat told the Star-Bulletin earlier this month that she would remain a candidate for re-election. She faces opposition from three other Democrats in the Sept. 18 primary election, with the winner going on to run against Republican Trevor Koch in the Nov. 2 general election.
Sen. Inouye settles endorsement debate
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye issued a press statement Saturday to clear up confusion over his support for two Democratic candidates running against each other for a Windward Oahu state Senate seat.Incumbent Sen. Melodie Aduja used Inouye's picture and comments about her in a campaign brochure.
Inouye said he is not endorsing Aduja.
"I have also made positive comments about (her opponent) Clayton (Hee) during his years of service at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs," Inouye said. "I have enjoyed good working relations with both Melodie and Clayton, and pledge to support whichever candidate is victorious on primary election night."
Noh appointed to state drug control position
Tamah-Lani Noh has been appointed as the new state Drug Control Strategy liaison.Noh was most recently the acting drug coordinator for the Hawaii National Guard.
She will work with Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona to manage, support and implement the administration's Hawaii Drug Control Strategy.
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