[ LEGISLATURE ]

Democrats have
to work harder

The 2002 election of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle
has put the dominant party on the defense this year

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While Democrats and Republicans agree that candidates who work the hardest usually win, those working in the political fields this year are finding a new equation operating.

In 2002, Hawaii had a strong Democratic majority throughout the state Legislature capped off with Democratic control of the Governor's Office. The election of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle ended 40 years of Democratic control and put the Democrats in the Legislature on the defensive.

Although the Democratic majority actually grew by three in the 2002 election, the loss of the Governor's Office combined with Lingle's efficient "get out the GOP vote" campaign means Democrats have to work harder.

"For the Democrats, we are much more focused this time around because of the concentrated effort by the Republicans to take over the House," House Speaker Rep. Calvin Say (D, St. Louis-Palolo) said.

The GOP is clearly aided by Lingle's involvement in the campaign. Last month, she was guest of honor at a GOP black-tie dinner that raised $270,000 for the state Republican Party, and she is spending weekends and evenings on the campaign trail.

"She and the lieutenant governor are at all of our weekly rallies, and every chance she gets, the governor is out at the malls with our House and Senate candidates," Brennon Morioka, GOP chairman, said.

The Democrats now control 56 legislative seats, with the GOP holding just 20. Lingle wants to get enough votes in either the House or Senate to block a veto override.

To do that she will need to increase the GOP numbers in the House by three or the Senate GOP by four. Because it is easier to win a smaller House district than a twice-as-large Senate district, Lingle is putting most of her effort into the House campaigns.

But if the big issue is control of the state Legislature, the candidates are finding that the issues worrying the voters are different.

"As opposed to other years, there are no serious issues regarding the economy or a call for change," says Democratic Rep. Brian Schatz, running for his fourth term in the Tantalus-Makiki district.

Republican Nadine Nishioka, who is making her second attempt to win the Manoa House district, reports that crime and drug control are the issues of concern as she goes door to door.

"I talk to them about how crime can effect our economy and tell them that I am running to represent them," Nishioka said.

In the Senate, the tightest race is expected to be on Maui where incumbent Sen. Roz Baker (D, Honokohau-Makena) is paired against Republican Don Couch, Lingle's Maui liaison, who came within 300 votes of beating Baker in 2002.

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[ BIG ISLAND SEATS ]

GOP sets sights
on 3rd District

The Republicans are making a
strong push in the Democratic area

HILO >> The 3rd House District on the Big Island, including the Waiakea area of Hilo, has been described as the "Heart of the Democratic Party" because of the many union members and Japanese-American families living there.

But Republicans are making a strong push to win the district, backing Gov. Lingle's Hilo liaison Andy Smith. Smith fell a few hundred votes short of winning the district in 2002 from Democrat Eric Hamakawa, who isn't running this year. Retired banker Clifton Tsuji is campaigning to hold on to the district for the Democrats.

In the 2nd District, the north side of Hilo, incumbent Demo-crat Jerry Chang faces Republican Sharon Vannatta, a former restaurant operator.

In the 4th District, lower Puna, incumbent Democrat Helene Hale faces Republican Brian Jordan, a retired Marine master sergeant.

In the 5th District, upper Puna, Kau, South Kona, incumbent Democrat Bob Herkes is being challenged by Republican Stephanie Tabbada, who runs a home assistance service for the elderly.

The 6th District, Kailua-Kona, sees Republican incumbent Mark Jernigan being challenged by Democrat Josh Green, a doctor.

The 7th District, North Kona, South Kohala, Democratic incumbent Cynthia Evans is challenged by Republican William Sanborn, a banker.

The 3rd Senate District, West Hawaii, sees incumbent Paul Whalen facing Democrat Steven Fox, owner of an agriculture and reforesting business.

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[ MAUI SEATS ]

Arrest clouds
Blundell’s bid

The GOP incumbent groped an
undercover police officer in a park

WAILUKU >> The re-election of state Rep. Brian Blundell could hinge on how much voters are able to forgive his misconduct, as he faces a Nov. 5 sentencing for fourth-degree sexual assault for groping an undercover male police officer in a men's restroom at Kapiolani Park.

The misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Blundell, 63, (R, Olowalu-Kapalua) who has the endorsement of Gov. Linda Lingle, said he hopes voters will look at his first-term record, including funding for the Lahaina Harbor and proposed Lahaina Bypass.

Blundell, owner of Central Pacific Marine Co., is being challenged by Democrat Kameo Tanaka, 67, a retired state corrections officer and brother of former state Sen. Joe Tanaka of Maui.

Tanaka, endorsed by his primary challenger Greta Mc-Kelvey and groups including the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Ohana Coalition, wants more affordable housing in West Maui.

Democrat Kyle T. Yamashita has picked up support in his second bid against incumbent Kika Bukoski (R, Makawao-Kula-Pukalani).

Yamashita, 45, has been endorsed by some major unions, including the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the ILWU.

Bukoski, 39, who has the endorsement of a several groups including the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, said he's worked for his district by helping to get a 24-hour emergency ambulance service in Kula and defeat a proposal to install traffic cameras statewide.

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[ KAUAI SEATS ]

Kusaka takes on an
old foe for Senate seat

A House race between Morita and
Cummings is attracting interest

LIHUE >> Two of Kauai's four legislative races are hotly contested, but Rep. Bertha Kawakami (D, West Kauai) has a free ride and Rep. Ezra Kanoho (D, East Kauai) is expected to easily shrug off Republican challenger John Hoff.

The most colorful race is for the state Senate seat that covers all of Kauai.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Hooser was Maryanne Kusaka's most vocal critic when she was mayor and he was on the County Council.

Now, Republican Kusaka, who has been out of office for two years, is attempting a comeback by taking on Hooser.

Less dramatic but potentially more important is the District 14 House race between longtime incumbent Mina Morita and first-time candidate Mamo Cummings.

Gov. Linda Lingle needs three House seats to go to the GOP to insure her vetoes will be sustained. District 14 is one she hopes to pick up.

Morita is a protege of former Mayor JoAnn Yukimura and much adored by the anti-development environmentalists who are concentrated in her district.

Cummings was president of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and the darling of the business community. She also is a member of one of the largest Hawaiian families on Kauai, with numerous relatives in both Anahola and Haena.

Add to that personal support from Lingle, who has walked downtown Kapaa with Cummings, and the race with Morita could be close.