2 unions endorse Menor
for lieutenant governor

State Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani), a likely Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, has received the endorsements of two of Hawaii's construction trade unions, Local 368 of the Laborers' International Union and Local 3 of the Operating Engineers.

Laborers head Benjamin Saguibo said Menor has made real progress in addressing the high cost of living that is "squeezing the people of Hawaii."

The Laborers' union has 3,855 members and represents contractors, masonry, landscaping, golf course maintenance, grounds maintenance, health care, termite treatment and various construction-related fields.

Harold K. Lewis, financial secretary of Local 3, said the state needs Menor's leadership, commitment and integrity at the state level to address pocketbook issues. The union, which represents heavy equipment operators, has between 3,000 and 4,000 members.

'God' is group's taboo

Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church says it will continue to seek the removal of all "God Bless America" signs or similar religious messages reported on public property, says its president, Mitchell Kahle.

Kahle said the group was successful in recent weeks of having "God Bless America" signs removed from the state Tax and Health buildings after it complained about them.

"By posting the 'God Bless America' prayer sign in a public building, the Department of Health violated the constitutional separation of state and church," Kahle said.

Baker in the running

WAILUKU >> Rosalyn "Roz" Baker has filed her nomination papers to run for the new 5th Senatorial District representing South and West Maui.

Baker, 55, the county's Economic Development coordinator since 1999, lost as an incumbent to Democrat Jan Yagi Buen in the 1998 primary for the 4th Senatorial District representing West Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Until her defeat, she had been serving as co-chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Kokubun to run again

HILO >> Sen. Russell Kokubun (D, South Hilo-Puna-Kau) has filed papers to run for re-election.

Kokubun was appointed to the Senate in 2000 to replace incumbent Andy Levin, who resigned to become an aide to Mayor Harry Kim. He has served on the Hawaii County Council as Hawaii County deputy planning director, and on state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Holschuh eyes Big Isle

Fred Holschuh has announced his candidacy for the Hawaii County Council District 1 (Papaikou-Hamakua). Holschuh, 61, ran unsuccessfully for Big Island mayor in 2000 as a Democrat. He came to Hawaii from New York in 1967, worked as an emergency room physician at Hilo Medical Center for more than 28 years, was president of the Hawaii Medical Association and served on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

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