U.S. House campaign Saturday's special election for Congress has become more aggressive and personal with Matt Matsunaga now running ads criticizing his former law partner and fellow Democratic candidate Ed Case.
gets more aggressive
Former law partners
2nd Congressional District polling places
Matsunaga and Case take the
gloves off over new TV ads
By Craig Gima
cgima@starbulletin.comCase calls the ads "misleading."
"Negative campaigning is a reflection of character," Case said. "I certainly don't think negative campaigning is appropriate."
Matsunaga said the ads are not negative but rather "comparative," and that he is "letting the voters know where we differ on issues."
Matsunaga said an ad that ran in neighbor island papers highlighted four issues: better pay for public school teachers, prepaid health insurance, same-sex marriage and decriminalizing marijuana. Matsunaga is also running television ads on the teacher pay, health insurance and marijuana and sending out a mailer about the health insurance issue.
Case and Matsunaga are among the 44 candidates who are vying to fill the next term of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, who died on Sept. 28 but won re-election posthumously on Nov. 5.
Case now represents the 2nd Congressional district after winning a Nov. 30 special election to fill the remaining weeks of Mink's current term.
Matsunaga said he favored, but Case voted against, a bill that would increase pay for teachers based on length of service. The bill did not pass last session.
Case said it is "dead wrong" that he is opposed to teacher salary increases. He said he voted against the bill because it involved step-pay increases that should be negotiated in collective bargaining rather than put into law.
Matsunaga also cites a bill supported by Case that would limit the employer's share of health insurance to half of the cost. Current law requires employers to pay more than 50 percent of the cost if it is more than 1.5 percent of the employee's wages.
Case said people are losing jobs or being put into part-time status because of the high cost of prepaid health insurance and the bill was designed to encourage a discussion on the issue.
On same-sex marriage, Matsunaga says Case opposed putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot that allowed voters to decide whether the Legislature should ban gay marriage.
Matsunaga sponsored the amendment and a reciprocal-benefits bill that would give same-sex couples some of the financial benefits of marriage. He said he wanted voters to make the decision on whether or not the Legislature should ban gay marriage, even though he did not want the amendment to pass.
Case said he did oppose amending the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, but "since the amendment was put on the ballot, the people spoke and from my perspective the decision has been made."
Case said he was willing to take a stand on an unpopular issue based on principle and challenged Matsunaga to do the same.
"He's always portrayed himself as a legislator concerned about civil rights," Case said. "He can't have his cake and eat it, too. He needs to make a choice here."
Matsunaga's ad says he favors permitting marijuana use for medicinal purposes, while Case is in favor of decriminalizing marijuana.
"I never said I outright favored decriminalization," Case said. But he said he does think the real drug problem in Hawaii is crystal meth, or ice, and it is time to discuss whether "too many of our resources are going into a drug that is not the major problem in our state. Resources otherwise used to eliminate ice are poured down the drain of a drug which is harmful but certainly not in the league of ice."
Matsunaga said he's running the ads against his former law partner because people want to know the difference between him and Case on issues.
He and Case were members of the same firm for 17 years.
"We are friends, but just like when you play basketball and step on the court, you play your hardest and I'm sure Ed is playing his hardest, too," Matsunaga said.
Case says he is "surprised, disappointed and hurt," by Matsunaga's ads. "He is clearly not the person that I thought he was."
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Here are the reduced number of polling places for the special election. Precincts that have been consolidated with other precincts are marked with a dot under the actual polling place. All polling places are preceded by their district and precinct numbers: 2nd Congressional District polling places
COUNTY OF HAWAII
01 01 Ikuo Hisaoka Gym 54-3853 Akoni Pule Highway
- 01-02 - Kohala Intermediate School
01 04 Honokaa High School cafeteria 45-527 Pakalana St.
- 01-03 - Kanekoa Garage
01 05 Paauilo Elementary School cafeteria 43-1497 Old Main Road 01 07 Laupahoehoe Community-School Library 35-2065 Mamalahoa Highway
- 01-06 - Ookala Carpenter Shop
01 08 Honohina Hongwanji Social Hall 32-896 Mamalahoa Highway 01 10 Honomu Gym 28-1641 Old Mamalahoa Hwy.
- 01-09 - Hakalau Gym
01 11 Kulaimano Community Center Hall 28-2892 Alia St. 01 12 Kalanianaole Elem/Inter School Cafeteria 27-330 Mamalahoa Highway 01 13 Puueo Multi-Culture Center Hall 145 Wainaku St. 02 01 Ernest B. DeSilva Elementary School cafeteria 278 Ainako Ave.
- 02-09 - Kaumana Elementary School
02 03 Hilo High School cafeteria 556 Waianuenue Ave.
- 01-14 - Hilo Union Elementary School
- 02-02 - Hilo Intermediate School
02 04 St. Joseph High School Gym 439 Kapiolani St.
- 02-05 - Edith Kanakaole Tennis Stadium
- 02-08 - Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary School
02 06 Keaukaha Elementary School cafeteria 240 Desha Ave. 03 01 Waiakea Uka Gym 1200 Ainaola Drive
- 03-02 - Hale Aloha Nazarene School
03 04 Waiakea High School cafeteria 155 W Kawili St
- 02-07 - UH-Hilo Campus
- 03-03 - Komohana Research Center
03 07 Waiakeawaena Elementary School cafeteria 2420 Kilauea Ave
- 03-05 - Waiakea Intermediate School
- 03-06 - Waiakea Elementary School
- 03-08 - AJA Memorial Hall
04 02 Keaau High School SBG Mtg Rm 16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Road
- 03-09 - Keaau Middle School
- 04-01 - Olaa First Hawaiian Church
04 03 Hawaiian Paradise Community Center Makuu Drive
04 06 Pahoa High School cafeteria 15-3038 Puna Road
- 04-08 - Ainaloa Longhouse
- 04-04 - Keonepoko Elementary School
- 04-05 - Pahoa Community Center
- 04-07 - Opihikao Congregational Church
05 01 Mountain View Elementary School cafeteria 18-1235 New Volcano Hwy.
- 05-02 - Mountain View Community Gym
05 03 Cooper Center 19-4030 Wright Road 05 04 Kau High Sch Cafeteria 96-3150 Pikake St.
- 05-05 - Naalehu Elementary School
05 06 Ocean View Community Center 92-8924 Leilani Circle 05 07 Milolii Halau Pavilion Milolii 05 10 Honaunau Elementary School cafeteria 83-5360 Mamalahoa Highway
- 05-08 - Hookena Elementary School
- 05-09 - St Benedict Catholic Church
05 11 Konawaena High School cafeteria 81-1043 Konawaena Sch. Rd.
- 05-12 - Konawaena Elementary School
06 02 Kahakai Elementary School cafeteria 76-147 Royal Poinciana Drive
- 06-03 - Kona Vistas Rec Ctr
06 04 Kona Imin Center 76-5877 Mamalahoa Highway
- 06-01 - Keauhou Fire Station
06 06 Kealakehe Elementary School cafeteria 74-5118 Kealakaa St.
- 06-07 - Kona United Methodist Church
- 06-08 - Kealakehe Intermediate School
07 01 Kealakehe High School cafeteria 74-5000 Puohulihuli St.
- 06-05 - Old Kona Airport Pavilion
07 02 Kona Palisades Community Ctr 73-1073 Ka Imi Nani Drive 07 03 Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria 68-1730 Hooko St. 07 05 Waimea Elem/Inter Sch Cafeteria 67-1225 Mamalahoa Highway
- 07-04 - Spencer Park Pavilion
- 07-06 - Kuhio Hale
- 07-07 - Mealani Research Station
COUNTY OF KAUAI
14 02 Kilauea Neighborhood Center Meeting Room 2460 Keneke St.
- 14-01 - Hanalei Elementary School
14 05 St. Catherine School Parish Hall 5021 Kawaihau Road
- 14-03 - Anahola Hawaiian Homes Clubhse
- 14-04 - Kapaa Elem Sch
15 01 Kapaa Middle School cafeteria 4867 Olohena Road
- 14-06 - Kapaa Neighborhood Center
15 04 Kauai High School cafeteria 3577 Lala Road
- 15-02 - King Kaumualii Elementary School
- 15-03 - Kauai War Mem Convention Hall
- 15-05 - Chiefess Kamakahelei Elementary School
15 06 Koloa Neighborhood Center Meeting Room 3461 Weliweli Road
- 16-01 - Koloa Elementary School
16 03 Kalaheo Elementary School (Kato Gym) 4400 Maka Road
- 16-02 - Kalaheo Neighborhood Center
16 04 Eleele Elem School cafeteria 4855 Melemele Road
- 16-05 - Hanapepe Recreation Center
- 16-06 - Kaumakani Neighborhood Center
16 07 Waimea Neighborhood Center Meeting Room 4556 Makeke Road
- 16-08 - Kekaha Neighborhood Center
16 09 Niihau Elementary/High School Niihau
COUNTY OF MAUI
08 03 Baldwin High School cafeteria 1650 Kaahumanu Ave.
- 08-01 - Waihee Elementary School
- 08-02 - Wailuku Community Center
- 08-04 - Paukukalo Hwn Homes Community Center
08 05 Wailuku Elementary School cafeteria 355 S High St.
- 08-06 - Waikapu Community Center
- 08-07 - Maui Economic Opportunity Center
- 09-01 - Iao School
09 03 Lihikai Elementary School cafeteria 335 S. Papa Ave.
- 09-02 - Maui Waena Intermediate School
09 05 Kahului Elementary School cafeteria 410 S. Hina Ave.
- 09-04 - Kahului Union Church
- 09-06 - Kahului Hongwanji
- 09-07 - Kaunoa Senior Citizen Center
10 02 King Kamehameha III Elem. School cafeteria 611 Front St.
- 10-04 - Princess Nahienaena Elementary School
10 03 Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria 871 Lahainaluna Road
- 10-05 - Lahaina Civic Center
10 06 Honolua United Methodist Church Room 5110 Kohi St. 11 02 Kaumalii Elementary School cafeteria 180 Alanui Ke Alii St.
- 11-01 - Keawalai Congregational Church
11 04 Kihei Elementary School cafeteria 250 E Lipoa St.
- 11-03 - Kihei Community Center
11 05 Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea Hall 100 Kulanihakoi St.
- 10-01 - Kenolio Recreational Complex
12 01 Kalama Intermediate School cafeteria 120 Makani Road
- 12-02 - Eddie Tam Memorial Complex
12 04 Mayor Hannibal Tavares Comm. Center Hall 91 Pukalani St.
- 12-03 - Pukalani Elementary School
12 06 Kula Elementary School cafeteria 5000 Kula Highway
- 12-05 - Kula Community Center
- 12-07 - Merton Kekiwi Garage
13 03 Haiku Community Center 1008 Hana Highway
- 13-01 - Paia Community Ctr
- 13-02 - Haiku Elementary School
- 13-04 - Kaulanapueo Church
13 06 Hana High/Elementary School cafeteria 4111 Hana Highway
- 13-05 - Keanae Elementary School
13 07 Lanai High/Elementary School cateteria 555 Fraser Ave. 13 09 Kaunakakai School cafeteria 30 Ailoa St.
- 13-08 - Kilohana Community Center
- 13-10 - Maunaloa Elementary School
- 13-11 - Kualapuu Community Center
13 12 Kalaupapa Settlement Hall County of Kalawao
CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
39 01 Helemano Elementary School cafeteria 1001 Ihi Ihi Ave. 39 03 Leilehua High School cafeteria 1515 California Ave.
- 39-02 - Wahiawa Elementary School
39 04 Wahiawa Middle School cafeteria 275 Rose St.
- 39-06 - Kaala Elementary School
- 46-02 - National Guard Armory
40 02 Kapolei Elem School cafeteria 91-1159 Kamaaha Loop
- 40-03 - Kapolei High Sch
40 04 Makakilo Elementary School cafeteria 92-675 Anipeahi St.
- 40-05 - Mauka Lani Elementary School
- 40-06 - Makakilo Community Park
41 05 Kaleiopuu Elementary School cafeteria 94-665 Kaaholo St
- 40-01 - Royal Kunia Island Clubhouse
- 41-06 - Hoaeae Community Park
44 01 Kamokila Park Recreation Center 91-015 Farrington Hwy. 44 03 Nanaikapono Elementary School cafeteria 89-195 Farrington Hwy.
- 44-02 - Nanakuli Elementary School
44 04 Maili Elementary School cafeteria 87-360 Kulaaupuni St. 45 02 Waianae Intermediate School cafeteria 85-626 Farrington Hwy.
- 45-01 - Waianae Elementary School
- 45-03 - Kamaile Elementary School
45 04 Makaha Elementary School cafeteria 84-760 Lahaina St. 46 01 Del Monte Gym Kunia 46 04 Haleiwa Elementary School cafeteria 66-505 Haleiwa Road
- 46-03 - Waialua Elementary School
46 05 Sunset Beach Elementary School cafeteria 59-360 Kamehameha Hwy. 46 06 Kahuku High/Intermediate School cafeteria 56-490 Kamehameha Hwy. 46 07 Laie Elementary School cafeteria 55-109 Kulanui St. 47 01 Hauula Elementary School cafeteria 54-046 Kamehameha Hwy. 47 02 Kahaluu Elementary School cafeteria 47-280 Waihee Road
- 47-03 - KEY Project
47 06 Ahuimanu Elementary School cafeteria 47-470 Hui Aeko Place 48 01 Heeia Elementary School cafeteria 46-202 Haiku Road
- 47-04 - King Intermediate School
48 03 Castle High School cafeteria 45-386 Kaneohe Bay Drive
- 49-05 - Puohala Elementary School
48 04 Kaneohe Elementary School cafeteria 45-495 Kamehameha Hwy. 48 05 Windward Community College Room 102 45-720 Keaahala Road
- 48-02 - Kapunahala Elementary School
- 47-05 - Kaneohe District Park
49 01 Enchanted Lake Elementary School cafeteria 770 Keolu Drive
- 51-06 - St. John Vianney Parish School
49 03 Maunawili Elementary School cafeteria 1465 Ulupii St.
- 49-04 - Kailua High School
49 07 Benjamin Parker Elementary School cafeteria 45-259 Waikalua Road
- 49-06 - Parker United Methodist Church
50 03 Kailua Intermediate School cafeteria 145 S Kainalu Drive
- 51-01- Lanikai Elementary School
- 51-07 - Kailua Field
50 04 Kailua Elementary School cafeteria 315 Kuulei Road
- 50-01 - St Anthony Church
- 50-02 - Kailua Field
50 05 Kainalu Elementary School cafeteria 165 Kaiholu St.
- 50-06 - Kalaheo High School
- 50-07 - Aikahi Elementary School
51 02 Waimanalo Elem./Inter. School cafeteria 41-1330 Kalanianaole Hwy.
- 51-03 - Pope Elementary School
51 05 Keolu Elementary School cafeteria 1416 Keolu Drive
- 49-02 - Kaelepulu Elementary School
- 51-04 - Kaelepulu Elementary School