Two former state lawmakers are trying to return to politics via the state Board of Education. BOARD OF EDUCATION
Education Board race
gears up for 6 seats18 candidates file to run for
the September electionBy Treena Shapiro
tshapiro@starbulletin.comFormer House Judiciary Chairman Terrance Tom is running for Winston Sakurai's Windward seat. He faces opposition from union organizer and former Honolulu county Republican Party chairman James Kuroiwa and Laura Thielen, daughter of state Rep. Cynthia Thielen.
Tom, an attorney who had been on monthly retainer for Bishop Estate, left his House seat to run for the state Senate in 1998, but lost to Sen. Bob Nakata.
Former state Rep. Oliver Lunasco, Grace Dixon and Shirley Robinson are vying for the central Oahu seat now held by former Honolulu Police Chief Michael Nakamura, who is running for City Council.
Lunasco, who served in the House from 1970 to 1980, unsuccessfully attempted to regain his seat in the 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2000 elections.
Six of the 13 seats on the board are up for election this year.
Of the 18 candidates who met the filing deadline yesterday, 12 will advance to the general election.
There will also be a special election in November to fill the remaining two years of the terms of Marilyn Harris, who resigned for health reasons, and Donna Ikeda, who resigned to run for lieutenant governor.
On Maui, former board member Kelly King hopes to return to the board, after resigning in 1998 to spend more time with her family. Her opponent is Mary Cochran. Incumbent Meyer Ueoka is not seeking re-election.
Karen Knudsen, Shannon Ajifu and Keith Sakata are all trying to hold on to their seats in the at-large race.
Carolyn Golojuch, president of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, as well as president of the Friends of Kapolei Library, filed a last-minute nomination for an at-large seat yesterday.
Other candidates in the race include math tutor Malcolm Kirkpatrick, retired librarian and teacher Marcia Linville and attorney Randall Yee.
Philip Robertson, Kenneth Segawa and Marla Wade have also filed for the at-large race.
