CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Hawaii Government Employees Association formally endorsed candidates yesterday at its headquarters. HGEA Executive Director Russell Okata, center, spoke to an audience that included D.G. "Andy" Anderson, left, Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
Hawaii's largest public employee union opened its campaign season yesterday by holding an old-fashioned political rally. HGEA unveils endorsements
The union introduces about 30 candidates
it will support this election seasonBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com"To show the muscle of the HGEA," said Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, as she held up a "Hirono" campaign tank top intended for Russell Okata, executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association. Hirono is running for the Democrat gubernatorial nomination.
"This morning is the beginning of a great adventure. Not for 40 years have the working people been challenged like they're being challenged in this election," U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie told the dozens of union supporters at yesterday's primary election rally at the HGEA building on Mililani Street.
"But I've never been more energized, never been happier to be before a group of friends about to embark heart to heart, arm and arm, ready to move forward towards a great victory in November for working people all across this state."
For the first time in the HGEA's 68-year political history, two candidates for governor are being supported in one race with the union endorsing both Hirono and D.G. "Andy" Anderson for the governor's race. It snubbed Democrat Ed Case, who pushed government reform that unions saw as threatening jobs.
"I need this Democratic Party. I need the HGEA and its members to come through," said Anderson, a former Republican turned Democrat.
"There are a lot of negative things that we are all hearing about the state of Hawaii: Our economy is tanking, our schools are failing, we have government employees who are lazy and there are too many of them," Hirono said. "I would not be standing here looking you in the eye if I believed these things."
Okata also introduced about 30 other candidates that the union and its 43,000-plus membership are throwing their support behind.
"When people talk about an endorsement and what they mean, this is what an HGEA endorsement will mean," Okata said, pointing to those attending the rally.
"These are the people who will do phone-banking, helping them with the community distribution, road sign waving, whatever they do to make a difference. ... I think grass-roots campaigning has always been a deciding factor."
But Okata said the union is willing to work with all elected officials after the election.
"During an election the union helps those that help us with our programs," he said. "After the election, we hope we can work and make a difference even with those that haven't received our endorsement."
Hawaii Government Employees Association
