GOP unveils
10 candidates
for campaignsHawaii Republicans
count an ex-Democrat
among the contenders
Hawaii Republican Party officials showed off a new crop of 10 candidates for the state Legislature, including one former Democrat, Wilson Ho, Waimanalo Neighborhood Board chairman.
"These candidates will fight for the principles that helped elect Gov. (Linda) Lingle," Brennon Morioka, GOP chairman, said at a news conference yesterday at the state office tower.
Ho said he was a Democrat for 15 years and worked on the campaigns of former Gov. John Waihee, but said today the GOP offered more.
"I think the roles of the party have switched," Ho said. "I think the Republicans are now the party for the people."
Ho is running against Rep. Tommy Waters (D, Lanikai-Waimanalo).
Waters said: "I think it's great. It's the democratic process at work. I believe the choices are good, and it represents a healthy system.
"I represent change: I'm young, energetic and breathing new life into the Democratic Party," he said.
Another GOP candidate, Carol Phillips, said she was running for a second time against Rep. Michael Magaoay, (D, Schofield-Kahuku). She said the local GOP has helped prepare her for this year's campaign.
Phillips, who works in the state Office of Information, said she entered her first campaign too late and without enough preparation.
"I didn't have the opportunity to raise the funds and build a campaign structure," Phillips said.
After two years, Phillips, a former professional bodyboarder and sports promoter, said she expects that the North Shore-Waialua community knows her better and will be more receptive to her campaign.
"As more people become comfortable with Republicans they realize that the GOP platform more closely resembles their own beliefs," Morioka said.
Other GOP candidates who filed for office yesterday include: Keoki Leong, Heeia-Kanoehe, facing Rep. Ken Ito; Nadine Nishioka, Manoa, facing Rep. Kirk Caldwell; Rito Samatan, Waipahu-Waikele, facing Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu; Kymberly Pine, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point, facing Rep. Romy Mindo; Tracy Okubo, Tantalus-Makiki, facing Rep. Brian Schatz; Alonzo Sandoval, Mililani-Mililani Mauka, facing Rep. Marilyn Lee, and Collin Wong, Kakaako-Downtown, facing Rep. Ken Hiraki.
Also filing yesterday was Jim Henshaw, Kahuku-Kaneohe, who will be running as a Republican against Democratic Sen. Melody Aduja, who is the incumbent.
Another Republican is expected to announce his candidacy today. Former television journalist Dalton Tanonaka will run against U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Urban Oahu. Tanonaka finished second to James "Duke" Aiona in the 2002 GOP primary for lieutenant governor.
Star-Bulletin reporter Laurie Au and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hawaii Republican Party:
www.gophawaii.com/