AYUMI NAKANISHI / ANAKANISHI@STARBULLETIN.COM
Linda Lingle shook hands with her supporters from the Filipino community Sept. 5 at "Talk Story with Linda Lingle" at Kalakaua Middle School.
Hirono accuses Lingle Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono says her Republican opponent in the governor's race, Linda Lingle, is trying to buy votes by offering lavish door prizes at her rallies in Filipino-American communities.
of trying to buy votes
At Filipino-American rallies,
Lingle offers expensive door prizesBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comRepublicans shot back that Hirono and the Democrats are insulting Filipino-American voters and starting a negative campaign against Lingle.
"I am really insulted as a Filipino that they would say Filipinos can be bought," said Eddie Flores, a Lingle supporter who helped arrange a big rally for her last week.
"It is desperation on her part," Hirono said. "The only way she can get people to attend her rallies is to offer free trips, not just to Las Vegas, but the Philippines," Hirono said at a news conference on the Capitol lawn after accepting a campaign endorsement from the local Sierra Club.
"It is an election that is not going to be won by throwing money at the voters and trying to buy votes," Hirono said.
Lingle's supporters answered that Hirono and the Democrats have been rocked by a Lingle rally held last week in Waipahu that drew more than 1,200 people.
But at a separate afternoon news conference at Democratic headquarters yesterday, Elias Beniga, past president of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, said Lingle was "taking Filipinos lightly."
"The tactics they are using are belittling to our culture," Beniga said. "They are taking our intellect lightly by offering these enticements ... and creating the illusion that the Lingle campaign has great support."
Hirono also alleged yesterday that Lingle is paying workers to hold signs for her campaign. "I've heard that from people who are around the sign-holders," Hirono said.
"If she can prove it, let her come forward," Lenny Klompus, Lingle's director of communications, said. "It is an outrageous comment."
Bob Awana, Lingle's campaign manager, denied the allegation.
Both Democratic and Republican campaign strategists have said that the Filipino vote will be critical in this year's election because many expect Japanese-American voters to vote for Hirono, while Caucasian voters support Lingle. Filipino voters, who in the past have supported Gov. Ben Cayetano, are undecided, according to recent political polls.
"The truth is, I think the Democrats are petrified, and they are resorting to negative campaigning," Flores said.
Lori Gorospi Wingard, who works for state House GOP leader Rep. Galen Fox, said of Hirono's allegations: "It is putting Filipinos down. Filipinos are intelligent people. I believe the reason they came to see Linda is because she is energetic, vibrant and engaged."
Flores, who has been a key supporter for Cayetano and Mayor Jeremy Harris, both Democrats, said he has helped put on rallies in heavily Filipino areas for 10 years, and door prizes have always been part of the program.
"Every rally we had at Kalakaua Intermediate and Waipahu has been like a big fiesta. I am just doing what I was taught by the Democrats. This is how they taught us," Flores said.
At last week's rally, the Lingle campaign gave away a trip to the Philippines and a trip to Las Vegas.
The Filipino-American vote, however important it may be, does not appear to be locked into any camp. For instance, state Senate President Robert Bunda, D-Wahiawa-North Shore, said older Filipino-American voters are likely to stay with the Democratic Party, but other groups may not be so certain.
"I cannot speak for the younger generation," said Bunda, a 19-year legislative veteran.
