WAILUKU >> The largest public workers union in the state has endorsed Maui County Mayor James "Kimo" Apana in his re-election bid for a second four-year term. HGEA endorses Maui
mayor for re-electionThe public workers union
cites Apana's economic gainsBy Gary T. Kubota
Hawaii Government Employees Association Executive Director Russell Okata said Apana's administration has helped to keep the county moving forward as far as economic growth, without losing touch with other important aspects, including the environment and culture.
"Mayor Apana is what every public official should aspire to be," Okata said yesterday.
Apana, who was endorsed by the union four years ago, won as a Democrat in 1998. This endorsement is for the primary election.
Under a new election format, the county races are nonpartisan. The top two vote-getters in the primary election move on to the general election.
Apana will be facing Councilman Alan Arakawa, who ran as a Republican and lost in the 1998 mayoral race, environmentalist Robert W. Parsons and Haiku resident William Riddick, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for a Makawao Council seat in 1996.
Okata said the union has 4,392 members on Maui, Lanai and Molokai and 42,697 members statewide, including some 9,000 retirees.
Okata said even though Hawaii has not had as much economic growth as some states, it has not had the kind of layoffs of public employees other states have experienced.
He said about 85 percent to 90 percent of the candidates endorsed by the union win the election.
Okata said the union feels economic development and education will be important issues in the 2003 Legislature.
The union endorsed other candidates for the September primary election.
Council candidates endorsed by the HGEA include Pioneer Mill Co. agricultural operations official James "Kimo" Falconer, who is seeking the West Maui residency seat against Councilwoman Jo Anne Johnson, and hotel telephone operator G. Lehua "Mahi" Clubb, running for the South Maui residency seat against Councilman Wayne Nishiki.
The union endorsed small businessman Shan S. Tsutsui for the 4th Senate District Democratic primary against Jan Yagi Buen.
Frances "Lincoln" Segundo was endorsed for the 13th House District primary against Sol Kaho'ohalahala.