Kobayashi saves cash
after victory

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By Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.com

City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi spent $6.46 for each vote in winning her 5th District seat last month, according to documents filed with the state Campaign Spending Commission.

The $32,103 Kobayashi spent was second only to fifth-place finisher John Steelquist in total amount spent. Steelquist spent $46,854, or $45.94 a vote.

What's more, Kobayashi has a healthy $39,147 balance left in her campaign coffers as she gears up for a fall run at a four-year term.

Kobayashi's victory on Jan. 26 was to fill out the remaining year left on the term vacated by former Councilman Andy Mirikitani, who resigned in December after being convicted in federal court of extortion and taking kickbacks. The seat covers Manoa, Makiki, McCully, Moiliili and Ala Moana.

The former state senator raised $71,250.

Former state Rep. Sam Aiona, who finished second in the election, collected $20,349 and spent $19,685 from Jan. 1, 2001, through the election.

Fire Capt. Richard Soo, the third-place finisher, collected and spent $9,284.44, leaving a zero balance.

Attorney Richard Lee and Steelquist, a business professor, spent a lot of their own money on the election while finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Lee reported $28,131 in disbursements and a cash deficit of $24,131. His only revenues came from himself -- a $4,000 contribution and $10,000 in loans.

Steelquist spent $46,854. But of $61,124 he received, $50,000 came from a loan from himself. He reported a $35,730 deficit.

Sixth-place finisher Danny Auyoung spent $3,337.48 through Jan. 11 but failed to turn in a report due yesterday showing activity in the weeks since.

Rounding out the remaining eight candidates, in order of finish: Joe Kinoshita reported spending $3,750; Kekoa Kaapu, $115; Albert Furuto, $674; John Anderson, no report filed; Harris Murabayashi, $692; Ron Lockwood, $27; Nasir Gazdar, $436; Richard Gee, $396.