Reapportionment turns hey became politicians, state Reps. Felipe Abinsay and Ben Cabreros worked closely together at improving their urban Kalihi community.
Senate-House political
map topsy-turvy
In some cases it pits incumbent
against incumbent and may
force some to move
By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comFor more than 20 years and long before t
Their friendship was evident during last year's state elections, when the two set up their campaign headquarters across from each other on North King Street so well-wishers could easily mingle between the two places on general election night.
But last month, a twist of reapportionment fate placed the two Democratic allies in the same House district for the next election, a situation that could have politically polarized their community.
Instead, they agreed Cabreros, a Democrat whose current district includes Kalihi Kai and Palama, would move into a neighboring legislative district to avoid the runoff.
"We are more than brothers," said Abinsay (D, Moanalua-Kapalama). "That's why people are concerned we might be running against each other."
"He (Cabreros) has been asked many times by our friends wondering whether we're going to be running against each other. Of course, he did mention to them he doesn't want to run against me," he said.
Barring any legal challenge to its constitutionality, the new reapportionment plan for Hawaii's congressional and legislative districts will apply for the next five elections, beginning in 2002.
While Abinsay and Cabreros have worked out their differences, not all of the other legislators who find themselves sharing a district next year have resolved the problem as amicably.
A few even welcome the incumbency litmus test.
"My thing is, if he wants to run, that's good," said state Rep. Nobu Yonamine (D, Pacific Palisades-Pearl City Highlands) about fellow legislator Roy Takumi, whose home is now in Yonamine's district under the new reapportionment plan.
"That is democracy. Let them decide who is the better candidate and let them vote accordingly," he said.
Yonamine, who had considered resigning from his seat after he was convicted of drunken driving earlier this year, said he has not officially decided to run for re-election. Still, he believes the new Pearl City district is more his than Takumi's.
Takumi (D, Pearl City-Waipahu) said that from a community point of view, it made sense for the reapportionment commission to return that one precinct that includes Pearl City Elementary School and the library to the Pearl City district from his Waipahu district.
"In the short term, yes, of course, it poses a dilemma about what to do," Takumi said. "But if I just look at it from the community point of view, it makes far better sense."
In the Senate a battle looms between Democrats Rod Tam (D, Downtown-Nuuanu) and Suzanne Chun Oakland (D, Palama-Alewa Heights), who are being placed in the same district. They have already said they plan to run for re-election for the new Senate district that stretches from Nuuanu to Kalihi-Kai.
Other legislators, however, want to avoid any runoff within their political party. State Rep. David Pendleton (R, Maunawili-Kailua) questions why he and fellow Republican Charles Djou, who now represents Kahaluu, Ahuimanu and Kaneohe, were lumped together in a new Kailua-Kaneohe district.
"I would say the suggestion that politics are involved is one that evidence can support," Pendleton said. "Gerrymandering is not something restricted to the mainland. But both Charles and I are committed to continue to serve the people of Hawaii."
Pendleton and Djou, both alumni of the University of Southern California law school, said they want to avert a runoff in next year's primary election.
Along with re-election, Pendleton is awaiting possible appointments to the Bush administration, while Djou is considering a run for lieutenant governor or other state seats. A City Council bid is not out of question, Djou said.
"If I don't run for lieutenant governor, I would still like to stay in politics," Djou said. "Unfortunately, it is looking like I probably will have to move."
House members Ed Case (D, Manoa) and Terry Nui Yoshinaga (D, McCully-Moiliili) will find themselves in the same Manoa district, but it is not a problem because Case is running for governor.
In the Senate, Big Island Democrats David Matsuura, who now represents South Hilo and Puna, and Lorraine Inouye, who represents North Hilo and Kohala, will have to face off in the primary election unless one of them does not run for re-election or moves to another district.
Also, Oahu Sens. Les Ihara (D, Kapahulu-Waikiki) and Matt Matsunaga (D, Waialae-Palolo) are in a similar situation. Matsunaga said he wants to run for re-election for the new Waialae-Ala Wai district, while Ihara could not be reached for comment.
"It looked like a reasonable plan," Matsunaga said. "I understand what they're trying to do."
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