A former Hawaii state judge has joined the crowded field looking to fill the seat being vacated by former City Councilman Andy Mirikitani. 14 join the race for
vacant City Council seatBy B.J. Reyes
breyes@starbulletin.comA total of 14 candidates have filed to run in the special election scheduled for Jan. 26.
Among those filing yesterday, ahead of the 4:30 p.m. deadline, was former state judge Richard Lee, who runs a law firm and Asian investment company ACIG International.
"I understand the people in the district, having lived, worked or attended school here for over 40 years," Lee said. He added that if elected he would refuse to accept the $43,350 annual salary.
Mirikitani resigned Dec. 1, days before he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison in a kickback and extortion scheme. He was convicted July 3 of bribery, theft, extortion, wire fraud and two counts of witness tampering.
Among those seeking Mirikitani's seat include former state Sen. Ann Kobayashi, former Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo, former state Rep. Sam Aiona, former City Councilman Kekoa Kaapu and longtime Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board Chairman John Steelquist.
Other candidates include Danny Auyoung, Albert Furuto, Ron Lockwood, Richard B. Gee, John A. Anderson, Harris N. Murabayashi, Muhammad N. Gazdar and Joseph A. Kinoshita.
It is a winner-take-all election. The term expires on Jan. 2, 2003.
City & County of Honolulu
