SHOPO backs Lingle, Aiona

Hirono is endorsed by the
5,700-member Hawaii Teamsters
and Allied Workers Union

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By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

Republican candidates Linda Lingle and James "Duke" Aiona have won the endorsement of the 2,200-member State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.

It is the first time the 31-year-old police union has endorsed Republican candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.

And it is only the second time that any public-worker union has backed a Republican for the state's top job. In 1998 the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, the faculty union, became the first when it endorsed challenger Lingle over incumbent Democrat Ben Cayetano.

But the 5,700-member Local 996 of the Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Union endorsed Democratic Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono for governor.

SHOPO President Tenari Maafala said, "We truly and honestly believe that Miss Lingle and Judge Aiona are the candidates that will take Hawaii to the next level."

The majority of the 11-member SHOPO board voted to endorse Lingle, citing her record of support for pay parity between Hawaii police officers and mainland counterparts, her commitment to education and her relationship with the Bush administration, which union officials believe could bring more federal security money to the islands.

Lingle said the SHOPO endorsement is significant because she did not receive its support in 1998.

That year, the former Maui mayor lost by about 5,000 votes to Cayetano in the general election.

She lauded SHOPO officials for their willingness to announce the endorsement before the primary election rather than waiting until the field of candidates was narrowed.

"Instead, they said, 'We already know who all the candidates are, and we're choosing Lingle. We think she's the best regardless of what happens in the primary,'" Lingle said.

Lingle said the migration of police officers to mainland jobs is a public safety issue that affects tourism and the economy if Hawaii gets a reputation as an unsafe place.

As governor, Lingle said she would meet with all county mayors and police chiefs to try to reverse the trend of mainland cities reaping the benefits of recruiting trained officers.

Aiona, a retired state judge, said the SHOPO endorsement seems a natural fit given his legal career as a prosecutor and judge.

"We know what it's like to deal with the legal system, and we share the same concerns and we have the same values," Aiona said.

Maafala said the endorsements came after interviews with Democrat and Republican candidates who sought the union's backing. While the union did not interview every candidate, the opportunity was there for those interested in gaining its support, he said.

"Every candidate was given the opportunity to come and knock on our door. And if they did, the door was open to come and address our board," Maafala said.

Even so, Dalton Tanonaka, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, complained yesterday the police union should have talked to him before it endorsed Aiona.

Tanonaka said he was not contacted for an interview or sent a questionnaire as every other union does in an election year. He said his plan to create revenue would help address the issue of officers' pay.

"I respect the right of SHOPO to support any candidate, but usually a decision is made after hearing the views of all those running," he said.

Lingle, Hirono, Democratic gubernatorial candidate D.G. "Andy" Anderson and Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Clayton Hee sought the union's endorsement.

Anderson said yesterday he did not expect to get the nod after he openly advocated a statewide lottery to fund public education.

"It would have been very difficult for them to endorse me with my position," he said. "It would have been bad for the police departments and bad for SHOPO."

Hirono said yesterday she was disappointed at SHOPO's decision and surprised the endorsement came before the primary election. Nevertheless, she said, she will continue to support the state's working people, which includes police officers.

Teamsters President Mel Kahele said Hirono is the most qualified candidate for governor because she has the experience, ability and integrity for the office.

Also, Hirono understands the partnership needed between government and organized labor to pull the state out of these difficult economic times, he said. The Teamsters endorsement signals a shift in support for Hirono. Earlier this year, when the race for Honolulu mayor seemed probable, the union endorsed mayoral candidate Mufi Hannemann over then-mayoral candidate Hirono.

Hirono, in a news release yesterday, said the Teamsters' endorsement for governor affirms her efforts to improve the quality of life for Hawaii residents.

"I am committed to working with unions and believe in putting people first," she said.