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THE HOT LEGISLATIVE RACES
One raises orchids, the other used to raise bees. Both want to serve in the state Senate. Orchid grower,
former bee keeper
vie for Hilo seatSen. David Matsuura is a Big Island orchid grower who ran to fill the last two years of his late father's term after Gov. Ben Cayetano declined to appoint him to the position.
He is opposed by Paul O'Leary, who started the Big Island Bee Keepers Association, and is now restoring a Hilo landmark coffee shop, Elsie's Fountain.
They are running for the Senate's 2nd District, which includes the major business district of Hilo, the state's second-largest city.
The district has an average income 34 percent lower than the state's average household income of $65,000, according to updated census figures.
Matsuura, the Democrat, is co-chairman of the Government Operations and Housing Committee in the Senate. He voted against the reconfirmation of both Margery Bronster as attorney general and Earl Anzai as budget director, an action that triggered a massive voter protest two years ago.
Matsuura says it is still an issue he has to deal with, but that voters get a better opinion of him after he discusses the vote with them. Bronster, he said, was not supported by her fellow Cabinet officers and was being judged just on her investigation into Bishop Estate. The investigation, Matsuura said, should have been the jurisdiction of the federal Internal Revenue Service, instead of the state.
O'Leary, the Republican, is former vice president for the Honolulu Economic Development Office, and also represented the state's economic development office in Japan.
Location for a state prison is one of the big issues for the district because the state is considering putting the prison in the Hilo area at King's Landing. While Matsuura has supported the privatized prison concept for the Big Island, O'Leary said voters he's talked to are against it.
Both men said education and the economy are the top issues in their Big Island district. O'Leary said the state needs someone who will support the district, while Matsuura said the state has to be better prepared for major new costs for education and health care.
Richard Borreca, Star-Bulletin
David Matsuura (D) SENATE DISTRICT 2
South Hilo-Puna
Occupation: Owner, Orchid Isle Nursery; general manager, Umikoa Ranch
Background: Active in Good News Prison Ministries and New Hope Christian Fellowship
Paul O'Leary (R)
Occupation: Owner, Elsie's Fountain
Background: Worked for state economic development agency on projects to foster a Honolulu stock exchange and represent Hawaii in Japan
Starbulletin.com Election Results
State Office of Elections
