Television news anchor
to run for state office

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Star-Bulletin

CNN International news anchor and part-time Hawaii resident Dalton Tanonaka was to announce today that he is running for lieutenant governor as a Republican.

Tanonaka, who is based in Hong Kong but has a home in Hawaii Kai, said he has informed CNN of his decision and asked to be released from his contract.

He said he hopes to use his international contacts as a business reporter based in Asia to help Hawaii's economy. "We can be more than a beach paradise. We must be to thrive in the international marketplace," Tanonaka's campaign literature states.

Tanonaka is a long-time journalist who has worked for CNN, CNBC and NHK in Hong Kong and Japan. He has also worked in television and print on the mainland and Hawaii.

He once worked for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Honolulu mayor Jeremy Harris as the director of the city's Office of Economic Development in 1999, before he resigned and later accepted an offer to return to Hong Kong for CNN International.

Among the others who have expressed interest in the Republican lieutenant governor's race are former KHON-TV sports anchor and Kaneohe state Sen. Bob Houge, Kaneohe state Rep. Charles Djou and Maunawili state Rep. David Pendleton.

Tanonaka was born in Kohala on the Big Island and graduated from Kalani High School and Northern Illinois University.

He is married and has a 3-year-old daughter.