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Lingle: Stop
the nonsense
at Capitol
The GOP leader presides
Some contenders By Lori Tighe
over a fund-raiser four times
the size of last year's
Star-BulletinStop the "nonsense" at the state Legislature -- like bills on snacking, napping and flossing -- and hear the Republican Party's reenergized voice, says state GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle.
More than 1,200 longtime and newly converted Republicans gathered last night at the annual Lincoln Day fund-raiser at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, an apparent testament to the party's momentum in a traditionally Democratic state.
"The dinner is four times the size of last year's crowd of 300," said John Brogan, chairman of the event. "People of Hawaii are looking for a change and joining the Republican Party in record numbers."
Lingle, wearing a half-dozen leis, kissed people on the cheek and called them by their first names as she greeted them at the Coral Ballroom.
"Our message is about hope for the future," she said. "We can get things turned around. A two-party system is an important part of a healthy community."
The party announced a dozen candidates for this year's elections, about a third of the total the party expects to put on the ballot, said Micah Kane, executive director of the Hawaii Republican Party.
Many have "come forward since Linda Lingle," he said.
"Chairwoman Lingle has developed an environment that makes you feel welcomed," he said of the former Maui mayor, who lost a tight gubernatorial race in 1998. "Politics is pretty intimidating, but we've broken it down to one man, one vote. We're all equal."
Matt Goodman, 21, an admittedly apathetic voter, said he joined the Republicans because his and the state's future depend "too much on tomorrow."
"Hawaii needs a shake-up," he said. "The Republican Party has the ability to bring in change."
Businessman Kevin Luke, 31, said he attended because "I'd like to see a lot more flexibility in terms of small businesses in this state, like tax credits."
Ken Kanter -- who described himself as a Democrat anywhere else but here -- said he joined the Republican Party to help Hawaii invent itself anew.
"The pendulum has swung so far, the conformity is stifling," said Kanter, 52. "The Republican struggle now is almost the same as the Democrats' struggle in the '50s." "The mere challenging of ideas in Hawaii is often met with disdain," he said. "Having two strong parties is where the debate can happen."
Randee Clark, 41, a former Democrat, gives credit for the Republican resurgence to Lingle and Hawaii's state of affairs.
"It's pretty clear how the Legislature is a good-old-boys network now, and a big change was needed," she said.
Clark said her own movement into the Republican Party began with the last governor's election when she decided to volunteer for the Lingle campaign.
"She showed she has the leadership and power," Clark said. "Even though Linda Lingle didn't win, she picked up where she left off."
Some familiar faces are among the candidates who are going to run as Republicans this year: Some contenders
Big Island mayor: Harvey Tajiri, former state representative.
