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U.S. Congress

21 candidates
vie for three seats

Ten aim for Akaka's Senate seat,
six for Abercrombie's House seat
and five for Mink's seat

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By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

HAWAII'S three congressional races this year have drawn a field of 21 candidates for the primary election, with half of them vying for the U.S. Senate.

Incumbent Daniel K. Akaka faces off against challenger Art P. Reyes for the Democratic ticket in the U.S. Senate, while four Republicans duke it out for the Republican Party.

Two others shoot for the Constitution Party nod, while candidates in the Natural Law and Libertarian parties have uncontested primary races.

Reyes, 48, a Waipio Gentry resident, is a retired Navy senior chief petty officer who unsuccessfully challenged City Councilwoman Rene Mansho two years ago. With 25 years of government service, Reyes said his focus is on federal prison reform, reinforcement of Social Security benefits and tougher crime laws.

He acknowledges himself as a heavy underdog against Akaka. Still, "I have a strong sense that people say, 'Hey you, come to my door, you're the person that I see. I'll vote for you,'" he said.

The Republicans vying for Akaka's Senate seat all have previous election experience. They are former state Sen. John Carroll, Dr. James R. DeLuze, college instructor Eugene F. Douglass, and Harry J. Friel, a former legislative officer manager.

Carroll, a retired Hawaiian Airlines pilot, served in the state Legislature in the 1970s and served as chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party in 1980.

Douglass is a chemistry instructor who ran for Congress two years ago.

DeLuze has run for Congress the past five elections, and once had a practice on the North Shore treating welfare patients. He believes reforms need to be made in the federal health care system.

Meanwhile, Friel said it's time for an aggressive individual in the Senate to represent Hawaii.

"We need a tune-up in our congressional vehicle," Friel said. "One of our cylinders is not firing well. And I think it's Akaka."

In the House, incumbent Democrats Neil Abercrombie and Patsy Mink both have primary challengers. Abercrombie must contend with David L. Bourgoin, 53, a Kihei lawyer and businessman who believes the basis for economic planning is "ecological purity and sustainability," a plan he calls the "chi-economy."

"The chi-economy centers on the natural flow of energy within the system," he said.

Dr. Phil Meyers, a pediatrician, and Gladys Gerlich Hayes, a retired businesswoman, face off for the Republican ticket for Abercrombie's district.

Abercrombie said this week he hasn't seen much from his Democratic challenger, but is not taking the race lightly.

He said he's willing to debate Bourgoin if asked.

Perhaps the most brow-raising candidate in the congressional race is former pro-football player Russ Francis, who wants Mink's 2nd Congressional District seat.

Francis, who lost his bid two years ago to unseat City Councilman Andy Mirikitani, faces a primary against Republicans James M. Donovan and Carol J. Douglass.

Francis' name recognition might get him into the general election against Mink, who must first get by primary election challenger Charles "Lucky" Collins of Pahoa.