Kawananakoa primed to vie for House seat
He will be running for the seat being vacated by state Rep. Tommy Waters
Quentin Kawananakoa, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty who once served as the Republican leader in the state House of Representatives, is seeking a return to the Legislature.
VACANCIES IN LEGISLATURE
There are six seats being vacated by incumbents in the Legislature this year.
SENATE
» Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D, Hilo-Honokaa), running for Big Island mayor
» Sen. Paul Whalen (R, Milolii-Waimea), no plans to run
HOUSE
» Rep. Josh Green (D, Keaukou-Honokohau), running for state Senate
» Rep. Alex Sonson (D, Pearl City-Waipahu), running for state Senate
» Rep. Dwight Takamine (D, Hawi-Hilo), running for state Senate
» Rep. Tommy Waters (D, Lanikai-Waimanalo), no plans to run
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Kawananakoa announced yesterday he will run for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Tommy Waters, who told supporters two weeks ago he was leaving office to concentrate on his law practice and spend more time with his family.
The Windward Oahu district encompasses Lanikai and Waimanalo.
Two potential Democratic challengers, Justin-Michael Anderson and Christopher Lee, have pulled papers seeking to run in the district, but neither had formally filed to run as of the end of May.
Candidates have until July 22 to file nomination papers with the Office of Elections.
Kawananakoa, 45, a direct descendent of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, served in the House from 1994 to 1998, ran unsuccessfully for Congress and withdrew from another congressional race.
"I was born here and lived here most of my life," he said yesterday. "I want to give back to this community and serve the people in the capacity of state representative."
Republicans hold just seven of the 51 House seats.
Waters' retirement brings to six the number of incumbents who will not seek re-election to their current seats.
Three other House members - Democratic Reps. Josh Green, Alex Sonson and Dwight Takamine - plan to run for state Senate.
Green and Takamine are running for seats being vacated by Sens. Paul Whalen and Lorraine Inouye, respectively.
Inouye, a Democrat, is running for Big Island mayor, while Whalen, a Republican, has not announced any future political plans.
As of March 30, Green had no opposition for the 3rd Senate District seat, Milolii-Waimea. Sonson is taking on incumbent Sen. Clarence Nishihara in the 18th District, Waipahu-Pearl City. Takamine faces opposition from attorney Ted Hong, a strong supporter of Gov. Linda Lingle who formerly served as the state's chief labor negotiator, in the 1st District, Hilo-Honokaa.
