Old-boy connections won't cut it in D.C.
This is a serious race, and we need a serious candidate who has the credentials to represent Hawaii. We need a proven leader who is capable of working with their opponents to get the job done. We need an intelligent person who is not afraid to fight for Hawaii. We need Colleen Hanabusa in Congress.
Name recognition might have gotten the vote in high school, but this is for real, and we need a real candidate. So please vote for Hanabusa on Saturday. We need a smart, passionate and strong Waianae girl in Congress to get things done for us.
Peggy Ratliff
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Gas cap's Menor has earned Congress seat
We need someone in Congress who will stand up for consumers and take on the oil companies. In the race for the 2nd Congressional District, there's only one candidate that has demonstrated the courage to do so. Ron Menor has shown that he will do what it takes to protect consumers from the gouging practices used by the big oil companies in Hawaii.
Even though the gasoline price cap was controversial and it was an election year, he stood up to the oil companies' lobbying and public relations campaigns. He didn't cave in to their pressure tactics.
Now we can see he was right, and the gas price cap saved Hawaii's consumers millions of dollars. We need Menor's integrity, commitment and experience in our nation's capital. He deserves our vote on Saturday.
Ian Donahue
Honolulu
Aipoalani much more than just a pretty face
Although the Akaka/Case race is being watched closely, Hawaii must not lose sight of the race for Congress created by Ed Case's vacancy.
After having been exposed to all of the 10 democratic candidates -- much thanks to television and print coverage -- I will be casting my vote this Saturday for Hanalei Aipoalani.
This young man does not only have the striking good looks; he has the heart, passion and brains, too. He is articulate, knowledgeable, poised and sincere. He would be a great voice and activist for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District.
As a newcomer to politics, Hanalei understood the issues facing his district. He listened to the people and offered common-sense solutions. Most important, Hanalei was successful in gaining the respect of his other nine Democratic colleagues and two Republican candidates. This is quite impressive for someone who is 27 and does not have direct public service experience. If he is able to garner respect at home, he will be able to work well with the other members of Congress and around the world.
Who should you vote for? Simple, Hanalei Y. Aipoalani, the youngest candidate from Nanakuli.
Chase Allen
Kailua
Hogue understands isles' health care crisis
Have you tried to get medical care and found there wasn't any doctor available to treat you? Did you wonder why we have this shortage of doctors?
I'm an orthopedic surgeon, and I've been watching our health-care system in Hawaii slowly crumble over the years, as doctor after doctor moved to the mainland with no replacement available. I've seen patients suffer needlessly -- I've seen patients die -- because I couldn't find a specialist to treat them. Why? Partly because the Medicare reimbursement rates for Hawaii are so bad compared to the mainland that it just doesn't make financial sense for a doctor to open a practice here.
We need someone in Congress who will fight to raise Hawaii's Medicare reimbursement rates so they are comparable to the rest of the country. That is why I recently voted for Bob Hogue for Congress. I know Bob well -- he is my patient and my friend, and he is the only person running for this seat who understands why our health care system is broken and who is passionate about coming up with workable solutions.
Please consider voting for Bob Hogue.
Linda Rasmussen, M.D.
Kailua
Aila good in various levels of government
Most of the press coverage that I have read about gubernatorial candidate William Aila has positively reinforced his image as a local-level leader, the crucial ways that he is in touch with Hawaii's community, and lauded his grassroots involvement.
I want to also stress his professional capacities and experience with state and federal-level governance as well. For example, Aila has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Resources about federal environmental legislation (2000) and chaired an advisory panel to the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council. He is not only a "good guy," but has proven that he possesses a familiarity with varied levels of government that will enable him to put that goodness to work for Hawaii.
Bianca Isaki
Honolulu
Both Case and Akaka are great warriors
So much about achievements, who did this and who did that, how long they have served or how short it was, let's face the fact that whoever is the choice of the masses is the winner, and whoever that is, he should have the full power with him in Congress to represent us to fight for our cause.
It has been a grueling war for these two intelligent gentlemen. We should be smart enough to give them the honor they deserve. Both of them are hard-core candidates and we should recognize them as great warriors and defenders for the people of Hawaii.
For you, Sen. Daniel Akaka and Sen. Edward Case, good luck! I salute both of you for your unwavering desire to accomplish your mission for the state you represent.
Felino B. Damo
Waianae
Akaka keeps money coming for Hawaiians
As we approach the final moments before the primary election, which will determine who will serve on behalf of Hawaii in the U.S. Senate, I decided to share my mana'o with others who might still be deciding which candidate to support.
The choice is clear, one representative has worked very hard over the years for federal recognition and also has consistently delivered federal funding that benefits the entire state. The other candidate lacks the experience and seniority to ensure that the funding for Hawaii will continue to flow to our state.
Many organizations depend on the federal funding to continue their important mission. For native Hawaiian programs alone, Sen. Danny Akaka helps bring some $70 million annually.
It is our obligation to our children to urge not only Hawaiians but all people of Hawaii to get out to vote for Akaka.
Christmas N. Kahawaiolaa
Waimanalo
Party's 'piling on' of Case insults voters
With just a little knowledge of the history of politics in Hawaii, it should be of no surprise that everyone is "piling on" with regard to the Ed Case campaign. There is no shortage of politicos who seem to fear that his moderate approach to government will upset the status quo and the comfort level of those who have dominated the Democratic Party for two generations. Why else would the lineup of heavy hitters be called in to support a goal line stand?
This is a lineup for the "good ol' boys." First, here on loan from the Washington Nationals, loaded with cash and national support, is the inimitable Sen. Dan Inouye. Next to him, but no less vocal in his support for anything except moderation, is our senior congressman, Neil Abercrombie. Rounding out the front four are two heavy hitters who need little introduction, former Gov. George Ariyoshi and Mufi Hannemann.
Why can't these leaders of our state handle the idea of a bright, independent-thinking person like Case? What is the problem with allowing him the opportunity to express his thoughts without the need to pile on with negative language, heavy spending against Ed by his own party, and innuendo? What's next, boys?
Piling on seems to work in that it keeps the public exactly where the party intends it to be. And if the public wants to go along with this approach, we will certainly get what we deserve. I would like to think that we are smarter than that. When we see piling on, we should recognize that it deserves a very strict penalty to level the playing field.
Wendell J. Kaehuaea
Hilo, Hawaii
Status quo won't solve our problems
We hear much about the importance of seniority, but we witness longstanding animosities and allegiances that develop in Congress over time and compromise the objectivity and rationality that are desperately needed to solve the complex problems of today.
I am not optimistic that we can change the system, but I do know that the status quo is not a fertile ground for innovative solutions.
Elizabeth McCreary
Honolulu