Political storm The whole ball of wax. All the marbles. Everything but the kitchen sink.
rising in ’02
Offices are up for grabs this year
Resolutions of note
at almost every level of governmentBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comNo matter the idiom, what's expected to dominate local news in 2002 are the most anticipated and wide-open elections in recent history. While Democrats are determined to remain the ruling political party in Hawaii, Republicans believe political change is unavoidable.
"It's a watershed year in regard to the political environment," said House Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo).
Ben Cayetano, who is now in his eighth and final year as Hawaii's governor, drew from Shakespeare's "The Tempest" in November 2000 when he described this year's general elections as "an opportunity for a sea change."
It is too early to say if Hawaii politics will undergo a profound transformation, but the numbers are there to do it.
There are 129 statewide elected seats are up for grabs this year, with voters choosing a new governor, lieutenant governor, three of four county mayors, all four County Councils, two congressional seats, the entire state Legislature, as well as a majority of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board and half of the Board of Education.
Adding to the uncertainty are newly reapportioned legislative districts, which cast clouds of doubt over incumbency.
This year, the voting starts early for Manoa residents with a Jan. 26 special election to replace Andy Mirikitani, the former Honolulu councilman who was convicted in July of receiving kickbacks from his employees. The political contests end with the Nov. 5 general election.
Hawaii Republicans have openly targeted the governor's seat and the state House of Representatives. They are encouraged by gains in the House minority in 2000 and by GOP Chairwoman Linda Lingle's strong gubernatorial bid in 1998 when she lost to incumbent Cayetano by about 5,000 votes.
But Lorraine Akiba, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, said Hawaii residents are still dealing with the economic and social impacts of the Sept. 11 attacks and will want politicians this year to focus on homeland issues such as security and education, rather than partisan politics.
"I believe that in times of crisis, people in our state and our country look to their elected leaders to be courageous and to provide strong leadership with experience that delivers results," Akiba said.
"And I feel that Democrats will capture the hearts and minds of people in Hawaii based on those things," she said.
In the past three Democratic state administrations, the sitting lieutenant governor was elected governor. This year, Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono wants to become Honolulu mayor, while Democrat Mayor Jeremy Harris wants to become governor.
"One interesting fact is, the women have a chance of capturing both seats because you've got strong women candidates for the mayor's race and the governor's race," said state Rep. Willie Espero (D, Ewa Beach) of Hirono and Lingle. "So that's something to be looking at -- watching how the women will do."
BUT WELL BEFORE the general election, legislators must make serious decisions about the state budget -- choices that will also be top news in 2002.
With a $315 million state revenue shortfall over the next two years, the Cayetano administration -- which predicts the economy will rebound by year's end -- has proposed a financial plan that relies on transferring the $213 million Hawaii Hurricane Relief fund to the state general fund for short-term relief.
But there might not be legislative support to do so, said Senate Vice Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae), who added that such action will depend on the Jan. 10 forecast on the state economy from the state Council on Revenues.
"It may come down to the fact that there is no choice," Hanabusa said.
One issue to get a serious run on the legislative table is gaming. Lawmakers say everything from shipboard gambling, casinos to bingo will be considered this session.
Already, Speaker Say has asked House Judiciary Chairman Eric Hamakawa (D, Hilo) to schedule a hearing on a gaming bill by month's end to see where support stands on the issue.
"If the votes are not there to pass it out, the issue is dead for the year," Say said.
ISSUES THAT AFFECT the Hawaiian community are also likely to be in the news throughout the year. Foremost is the passage of the so-called Akaka bill, which failed to gain congressional approval in recent years but may have a chance this spring.
While the bill passed the U.S. House in 2000, a few members of the U.S. Senate remain opposed and have stalled the measure.
Undaunted, Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said last month he has assurances the bill establishing a process of federal recognition for native Hawaiians will be put on the congressional calendar for the spring. He predicted it will pass.
Locally, Hawaiians must gain legislative support for a new law that requires state payments to OHA for use of public trust or ceded lands. The Hawaii Supreme Court last September struck down OHA's 20 percent revenue-sharing formula because it conflicted with federal law. Now, OHA is left without any annual revenue stream from the state.
Given the state's financial condition, it may be difficult for lawmakers to support paying OHA up to $15.7 million a year in revenue payments, as it did in 1995. Instead, lawmakers may suggest OHA trustees make do with its $300 million native trust until the state economy improves.
Be a better leader. Live a little better. Lose a little weight. Issues weighty and
otherwise occupy notablesBy B.J. Reyes
Associated PressFrom the traditional to the topical, a look at some New Year's resolutions from a cross-section of prominent Hawaii people provides a glimpse of what to expect from them in 2002.
"My personal resolution is to keep my family happy and healthy," said Gov. Ben Cayetano, who in his final year in office faces one of his biggest challenges, the state's foundering economy.
"My resolution as governor is to do what needs to be done to get Hawaii's economy going again," Cayetano said through a spokeswoman.
After coming aboard in July, new University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle spent the second half of 2001 outlining his goals for the future.
For 2002, "on a personal level, (I'd like) to try to get in better shape physically and to hopefully not be vain in a very public position. Also, to never take criticism personally, while at the same time having a strong resolve to turn the university 180 degrees."
For some, coming up with a resolution was easier than for others.
"My resolution is really the same every year, and it's one that I've made for the past 30-plus years," said Big Island Mayor Harry Kim. "That is, I just want to become a better person, and that's all I say every year at New Year's Eve."
State Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Lingle also has a recurring resolution.
"It's just one I have every year: to eat no more than two pieces of chocolate every day," Lingle said. "I'd also like to increase my patience and keep up my swimming schedule."
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, who along with Lingle is expected to spend 2002 vying for the governor's office, resolved "to continue to get up every day, excited and energized about making improvements to our great city."
But personally, "(I resolve) to spend more time with the family and support my wife, Ramona, in her work with the nonprofit community," Harris said through a spokeswoman.
Some, like Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana, had recent memory to focus their resolution.
"My New Year's resolution would be to listen to my senses, to lead with compassion and, since it's fresh on my mind, not to procrastinate on doing my Christmas shopping next year," he said through a spokeswoman.
News events of the past year shaped the resolutions for some.
Legendary Hawaiian entertainer Don Ho resolved to "try to convince the powers that be to require fire retardant in all airline fuel tanks," he said through a spokeswoman. "The point is that the (World Trade Center) twin towers would still be standing today and other plane crash fire deaths could be avoided."
The Sept. 11 attacks also influenced U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
"After 9/11, my New Year's resolution is going to be: all Hawaii, all the time," Abercrombie said. "Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs and more jobs. All Hawaii, all the time."
Two of Honolulu's celebrity chefs kept it simple.
"To lose some weight, get my golf handicap down to a scratch and enjoy life more," chef Sam Choy said through a spokeswoman.
And George "Chef Mavro" Mavrothalassitis simply resolved "to keep my sense of humor no matter what happens," a spokeswoman said.
Honolulu Symphony conductor Samuel Wong characterized his resolution as brief but simple.
"For the new year, I want to live more fully, love more deeply and make music more passionately," Wong said.
Still, for all of those who make resolutions they may never keep, there probably are just as many who do not even bother.
Despite a 9-3 season in 2001 that is built up expectations for next year, University of Hawaii football coach June Jones is not making any resolutions.
"I don't really ever have any," Jones said. "I don't really ever think of that stuff."
