Republicans gained two seats yesterday, giving them a total of five in the 25-member Senate. [ STATE SENATE ]
Republicans gain
2 seats for a total
of 5 in Senate
The gain gives them more clout,
Republicans lose House seats
especially when confirming
Lingle's Cabinet membersBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comThe meager gain gives the GOP more clout, especially when it comes to confirming the Cabinet of the first GOP governor in four decades.
Senate GOP Minority Leader Sam Slom, who breezed into a third term, had hoped the party would gain at least three seats to boost the party's current three-member caucus.
"If we have six solid Republican votes, we will become players in determining the selection of the new (Senate) president," said Slom. "We will have more of a voice in making the rules and confirming the governor's appointments. The trend is clear. We have no way except to go up. We are the emerging majority."
Current Senate President Robert Bunda and Waianae Sen. Colleen Hanabusa easily won re-election yesterday and now may have to look to the GOP in organizing the Senate. During the last organization, the two Democrats joined forces. Bunda said he expected the Republicans to increase their numbers, adding, "I can work with those individuals."
Already in the Senate are GOP lawmakers Bob Hogue, a former sportscaster, and Fred Hemmings, owner of Sports Enterprises Inc. Both easily won four-year terms.
Republicans had placed their hopes on House Minority Whip Paul Whalen on the Big Island, economist Gordon Trimble in the downtown-Waikiki area, state House Republican aide Lacene Terri in the 23rd district and Don Couch in Maui's 5th District.
Late returns gave the edge to Whalen, who ran against former Big Island Rep. Virginia Isbell in the re-districted 3rd Senatorial District (West Hawaii). Also elected to his first term was Trimble, who was challenged by Honolulu City Councilman Jon Yoshimura.
However, Maui Democrat Roz Baker edged out Couch, and Terri trailed Democrat Melodie Aduja.
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Republicans lost seats in the 51-member state House, falling short of their goal of gaining control. [ STATE HOUSE ]
Republicans lose 4 seats,
fail to get House controlBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comThe GOP won 15 seats, four less than the 19 seats they had coming into the election.
"I think that the Democrats were able to successfully challenge the Republican incumbents on their track records," Hawaii Democratic Party Chairwoman Lorraine Akiba said.
The drop in seats means that Republicans also lost the ability to pull bills from committee -- a tool they used frequently during the past two sessions to bring debate to the floor on bills held by Democrats -- by falling below 17 seats.
Strong opposition by Democratic challengers kept several Republican incumbents from returning to office.
Republican Rep. Jim Rath lost to Democrat Cindy Evans for the 7th District representing North Kona and South Kohala.
Democrat Sol Kahoohalahala made a comeback by beating Republican Rep. Ron Davis for the 13th District, which includes Lanai, Molokai and Hana.
In the 45th District (Waianae, Makua), attorney Maile Shimabukuro beat GOP Rep. Emily Auwae.
In a seesaw race, Republican Rep. Mindy Jaffe was defeated in the end by Democrat Scott Nishimoto for the 21st District (Kaimuki-Waikiki).
Republican Rep. Joe Gomes lost to attorney Tommy Waters for the Waimanalo and Kailua District 51 seat.
Incumbent Democrat Ben Cabreros, who moved because of reapportionment, was outpaced by Republican Lynn Finnegan, a legislative aide, in the 32nd District (Mapunapuna-Foster Village).
Also, Republican Corrine Ching, who lost in two previous races for the 27th District in Nuuanu and Liliha, defeated Democratic challenger Jennifer Waihee, daughter of former Gov. John Waihee.
