Winners to determine The six winners emerging from the City Council races in Tuesday's general election will likely dictate the mood at Honolulu Hale over the next two years.
mood of City Council
Among the issues facing the Council are
shrinking revenues and Bus Rapid TransitBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThe three incumbents on the Council -- Romy Cachola, Ann Kobayashi and Gary Okino -- have all shown they can confront Mayor Jeremy Harris, who will be entering his ninth year as mayor in January.
The six new members likely will decide early whether to embrace that theme or work toward a more friendly atmosphere.
They will tackle issues such as an ever-shrinking revenue base, which could trigger property tax rate hikes, the future of the Bus Rapid Transit project in the face of increasing traffic woes and restoring integrity at City Hall following several scandals.
Here is a rundown on the races:
>> District I (Waianae to Ewa Beach): Businessman and musician Mike Gabbard, best known for his role advocating traditional marriage, is up against Pam Witty-Oakland, legislative analyst to departing Councilman John DeSoto.
Gabbard took all but three of 19 precincts in a race that featured seven candidates in September, the most for any of the Council races. He finished nearly 2-to-1 ahead of Witty-Oakland, who won one precinct.
Third-place finisher John Kaopua took two Waianae Coast precincts. Witty-Oakland says she has the support of Kaopua and most of the other unsuccessful candidates.
Witty-Oakland reported spending $42,873.79 on the campaign, while Gabbard reported spending $40,626.65.
Gabbard said he is a known fighter and that constituents "know I have the stature in the community that ensures that my voice will be heard."
Witty-Oakland said her job has allowed her to become familiar with city government and kept her in touch with the community, which would allow her to "hit the ground running."
>> District II (Makakilo to Mililani): Marketing specialist and author Donovan Dela Cruz faces veteran legislator Gerald Hagino in a classic battle of "old vs. new."
Dela Cruz got only 261 more votes than Hagino in the field of five in the primary, with Hagino winning nine precincts to Dela Cruz's seven. Dela Cruz does better on the Windward side of the far-flung district, while Hagino is more popular on the North Shore.
The two split in Wahiawa, which both call home, while third-place finisher Ernie Martin won three North Shore precincts.
Dela Cruz reported spending $48,001.98, while Hagino reported spending $12,857.19.
Dela Cruz, chairman of the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board, said he has been involved in the community in recent years and has a better grasp of economic concerns.
Hagino said his 14 years in the Legislature were as an independent thinker, and that two years working in the city managing director's office gave him a good handle on City Hall.
>> District III (Kaneohe to Waimanalo): Veteran television journalist Barbara Marshall is running against former state Sen. Stan Koki.
Marshall had more than 1,000 votes more than Koki in the primary field of five, winning 15 precincts to Koki's 10. Koki did better in Kaneohe, where he lives, while Kailua native Marshall did better in Kailua and Waimanalo.
Koki reported spending $42,690.48, while Marshall reported spending $15,246.31.
Marshall, a reporter for Channel 2 News for more than two decades, said she is a "true independent" and that her experience as a journalist taught her to "ask hard questions and then propose solutions."
Koki, who was Linda Lingle's running mate four years ago as lieutenant governor nominee for the Republican Party, touted his experience both as a senator for six years and as a self-made businessman.
>> District IV (Hawaii Kai to Ala Moana): State Rep. Charles Djou opposes veteran government Administrator Bob Fishman in another clear case of old vs. new.
Djou won the primary by more than 4,000 votes over Fishman and four others in the primary, and he took 26 precincts to Fishman's two. Fishman faired better in the Waikiki end of the district.
Djou reported spending $42,435.51, while Fishman reported spending $33,191.62.
Djou, an attorney who is considered one of the young stars of the Republican Party, said he has the skills and will to "shake things up" at Honolulu Hale, particularly with respect to the fiscal budget.
Fishman, who also headed the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said that despite four years as Harris' right-hand man, he has an independent streak to go with administrative experience.
>> District VI (Makiki to Kalihi Valley): Veteran state Sen. Rod Tam is pitted against longtime Makiki Neighborhood Board Chairman John Steelquist.
In a five-way primary race, Tam finished 2,800 votes ahead of Steelquist, winning 18 precincts to Steelquist's four. Former state Sen. Dennis Nakasato, the third-place finisher, won four districts, primarily in Kalihi, while blank votes "won" two precincts. Steelquist's strong precincts were in Makiki near where he lives.
Tam reported spending $78,780.15 to date, while Steelquist reported spending $69,905.19.
Tam has been in the Legislature since 1982, with the last eight in the Senate. Tam said his knowledge of government at the state, city and federal levels makes him more qualified.
Steelquist, chairman of the Makiki board for 15 years, touted his experience in the community working with vision teams and other community development programs.
>> District IX (Makakilo to Mililani): State Rep. Nestor Garcia faces former police Chief Michael Nakamura, a former member of the Board of Education.
In a five-person race, Garcia outdistanced Nakamura by about 2,800 votes. Garcia won 18 precincts to Nakamura's six. Nakamura's stronghold areas were precincts in Mililani, where he lives. Garcia lives in Waikele and has roots in Waipahu.
Garcia reported spending $26,904.47, while Nakamura reported spending $4,485.17.
Garcia, a former television journalist, said his experience as a legislator over the last eight years put him in position to be a decision-maker and leader and to look at issues from "a big-picture view."
Nakamura touted his 28 years with the city, seven of them leading its largest department, while maintaining a record of integrity.
"They can be assured I'm not going to abuse the position," he said.
