Strategist credited with boosting isle Republicans
Jill Frierson / Hawaii GOP official
Called one of the best political strategists in the Hawaii Republican Party, Jill Frierson, 62, died April 29 at her home in Kaneohe.
Frierson had served as Hawaii GOP executive director and director of Republican research for the House and Senate from 1982 to 2000.
In 2001, she served as vice chairman of the Reapportionment Commission.
Republican Rep. Barbara Marumoto remembered Frierson as a "Renaissance woman."
"She was talented in so many fields, in drama, jewelry, writing and politics," Marumoto said.
Born in Washington state, Frierson started work in politics as a speech writer for Dan Evans, former Washington governor and then U.S. senator. After moving to Hawaii, Frierson taught drama at Niu Valley Intermediate School.
By 1989 she was doing political surveys, tracking issues and also designing brochures and doing strategic consulting.
Frierson was considered instrumental in getting seven of the 19 Republican candidates elected to the House in 2000.
"I say we lost one of the really great ones," GOP Rep. Cynthia Thielen said. "She had the best political instinct of anyone in Hawaii."
After pulling back from much of her political consulting work, Frierson started working with jewelry and making necklaces that were sold at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. She and her husband, James, were co-owners of Island Pool and Spa Supply.
She is survived by her husband and daughter, Kathleen.
Visitation will be Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Borthwick Mortuary. Memorial services will be at 5:30 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hawaii Performing Arts Company.