Politicians speculate The chance of First Hawaiian Bank Chief Executive Walter Dods winning the governor's seat is now the hottest topic of political speculation in the state.
as Dods ponders run
Some say regular voters are
'Neutral' Cayetano admires Dods
not likely to back a millionaireBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comDods has indicated that he is interested in running in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, but has not yet decided if he will enter the race.
No consensus is developing. Some Democrats, like longtime Big Island Democratic campaigner George Yokoyama, say regular voters do not know Dods, and they are not likely to vote for a millionaire.
"It is like (former U.S. Rep. and broadcaster Cec) Heftel and (former Gov. John) Waihee: money vs. grass roots. He (Dods) is out of touch with ordinary people -- maybe not millionaires, but ordinary people," said Yokoyama, who was a key Democratic worker for Waihee and Gov. Ben Cayetano.
"A lot of people are telling me, 'What did Dods do as a Democrat? He only helps the governors, he doesn't attend our convention, he doesn't attend our meetings. Is he a real Democrat?'" Yokoyama said.
Yokoyama, a former supporter of Mayor Jeremy Harris' now-defunct gubernatorial campaign, said he supports Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa).
Another former Harris supporter, pollster Don Clegg, sees Dods -- chairman and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank and its parent BancWest and a trustee of the Damon Estate -- as the most potent Democratic weapon against Republican front-runner Linda Lingle, the former mayor of Maui.
"I think a lot of Democrats who have strayed from the party will be enticed back by Walter Dods," Clegg said. He also predicted that Dods will be able to draw support from local businesses and win over independent voters.
"The majority of voters are not Democrats or Republicans, they are independent," said Clegg, who is now polling for the Democratic Party.
Micah Kane, GOP chairman, sent out a news release yesterday predicting that "the only way Walter Dods would enter the race for governor is if the Democratic power-brokers force (Lt. Gov. Mazie) Hirono and her people out of the race."
There is little historical precedent for business leaders to be successful in politics, according to Paul Hooper, chairman of the University of Hawaii Department of American Studies.
"Historically, it has never proven to be a solution. ... When it comes to voting day, people want political experience. Ross Perot is a good example," Hooper said.
Recently, John Hoeven, the former president of North Dakota's biggest bank, Bank of North Dakota, won election as governor.
He was a Republican in a state that went strong for George W. Bush in the 2000 election. Hoeven won on a campaign of more development, tax credits for business and pay raises for teachers.
Dods has studied the campaign of U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., to see if a political campaign by a businessman is possible. Corzine is a former chairman of the investment firm Goldman Sachs.
Larry Johnson, former president of the Bank of Hawaii, called Dods a "formidable candidate with a strong business background." But he added Dods faces a difficult decision.
"At this stage in his life and career, he has to give serious consideration to the impact not only on him, but on his family," Johnson said.
Political consultant Steve Hirano notes that Dods has a plus going into the campaign because he has dedicated a lot of time to charities and working in the community.
"I am chairman of the McKinley High School Foundation, and we have had four fund-raising dinners, all of which Walter Dods has chaired," said Hirano.
Another benefit Dods would have is an extensive business network that will give him access to a lot of potential voters, Hirano said.
Sen. Sam Slom (R, Kalama Valley-Aina Haina), president of Small Business Hawaii, called Dods "an insider with a lot of money who has been identified with big business."
"Mr. Dods is as famous for being involved with the political campaigns of Dan Inouye and Ben Cayetano as he is with business -- but his politics haven't done anything to help the state," Slom said.
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‘Neutral’ Cayetano
admires DodsWalter Dods can count Gov. Ben Cayetano as one of his admirers, but Cayetano says he will remain neutral in the Democratic primary for governor.
Reached while traveling in Asia, Cayetano called Dods "a local boy who made it the hard way."
If Dods, BancWest and First Hawaiian Bank chairman and chief executive officer, decides to run, Cayetano said it is "because he cares deeply about the future of Hawaii.
"He understands Hawaii politics very well and helped me in every one of my statewide races," Cayetano said.
The Governor described the three other major Democrats already in the race for governor, D.G. "Andy" Anderson, Rep. Ed Case and Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono as "a fine roster" of candidates and said he would support any of them in the general election.
Star-Bulletin staff