FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
From left, Bumpy Kanahele, Fred Trotter and Val Trotter,
part of a newly formed group called "Andy 2002," held
a news conference at the Ala Moana Hotel yesterday
to urge D.G. "Andy" Anderson to run for
governor as a Democrat.

Anderson confirms
he’ll run as a Democrat

At the urging of his supporters,
the former Republican revs up
in the race for governor

---

By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

By next May, all three sons of Victor Li and Arlene Lum of Manoa will have graduated from mainland colleges.

But none of them, Lum said, have the confidence Hawaii's economy will be able to provide them with jobs to make a living here -- a troubling prospect for the former publisher of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

"I want my grandchildren within my reach. I'm a really nasty Chinese mother, but I'm going to be a spoiler as a grandmother," Lum said. "We need to provide an opportunity, because they're out there. All we have to do is take some risks and be creative, and I think Andy Anderson has those qualities."

For the past six months, former Republican state lawmaker D.G. "Andy" Anderson has quietly discussed a possible run for governor as a Democrat with legislators, the business community, individuals and others.

Yesterday, a diverse group of Hawaii residents publicly urged the Honolulu businessman to do just that. A candidate exploratory committee announced it has begun running television ads touting Anderson's unique qualifications as a governor in 2002 and wants him to declare his candidacy. The first ads were to appear yesterday.

"In Andy Anderson, we have a guy who has an impressive track record," said Dr. Fujio "Fudge" Matsuda, past president of the University of Hawaii and a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II.

Matsuda said Anderson is a self-made businessman who can provide the business-friendly experience needed in the state's top office.

Hawaiian sovereignty activist Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele said Anderson's ideas to boost the state economy are "outside of the box" and much needed. Kanahele, who has never belonged to a political party, said he may have to sign up as a Democrat just to support Anderson, a part-Hawaiian.

"Besides being a kupuna, he has my respect on every level," Kanahele said.

Even the former chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii believes Anderson is the right man to replace Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano. Retired State Appeals Court Judge Walter Heen, in a statement, said along with his government and business experience, Anderson inspires trust and confidence, and can work with political parties, labor and management.

"He has the perfect set of qualifications to serve as governor," Heen said.

Anderson, 71, a former city managing director under Mayor Frank Fasi, said yesterday there's no question he's going to run as a Democrat and will likely make an announcement in January.

First, he wants the exploratory committee to function for the next two months so he can gauge the response from the public to their support of him. Others on his side include former Campbell Estate trustee Fred Trotter, businessman Howard Higa, Dr. Ruth Matsuura, businessman Mike McKenna, retired state Judge Ambrose Rosehill and attorney Peter Trask.