[ OUR OPINION ]
A summary
of Star-Bulletin
endorsements
THE ISSUEThe presidential race will top Hawaii ballots that also include contests for Congress as well as state and county offices.
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At stake are not only choices of candidates to serve in state and county offices but proposed changes to the state Constitution. An amendment must receive more than half the votes of all voters -- not just those who vote on the measure -- in order to be ratified; blank ballots will count as "no" votes.
Over the past week, the Star-Bulletin has made recommendations for president, Honolulu mayor, Congress, the Board of Education and constitutional amendments. Here is a summary of our endorsements:
PRESIDENT: President Bush boasted of being a "uniter" as a Republican Texas governor dealing with a Democratic legislature. However, he has been a "divider" in Washington, finding it comfortable to work with a Republican-controlled Congress without regard to Democratic views. Although Sen. John Kerry has established a liberal voting record in Congress, as president he will need to accommodate a GOP Congress, resulting, we hope, in moderation. Bush has made major mistakes and could have avoided today's quagmire in Iraq . Kerry would be a more thoughtful and capable president in both foreign and military affairs.
MAYOR: Duke Bainum, a physician who has served in the City Council and the state Legislature, understands how government works and where the priorities should be. He plans to concentrate on Honolulu's core needs -- sewage lines and waste system, garbage and landfill issues and the island's transportation system. He also promises a squeaky-clean administration that will not trade city contracts for campaign contributions.
U.S. SENATE: Sen. Daniel Inouye, a legendary figure in island politics, has served Hawaii well during his 42 years in the Senate. He has been effective in using his seniority in representing the state's best interests, supporting military projects and acquiring federal assistance for Hawaii's economic and social needs.
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Rep. Neil Abercrombie has been overly shrill on some issues but has been effective in serving as Inouye's counterpart in the House in bringing military appropriations to the islands. His seven terms have given him considerable seniority on the Armed Services Committee
SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Rep. Ed Case's first full term representing neighbor islands and outlaying parts of Oahu in the House has distinguished him as a moderate Democrat in constant contact with constituents. He appreciates the importance of constituent services and is thoughtful in his decisions on political issues.
BOARD OF EDUCATION : Guy Kaulukukui, Garrett Toguchi and Robert R. Midkiff from Oahu At-Large; Denise Matsumoto from the Central District; Breene Harimoto from the Leeward District; Herbert S. Watanabe from the Hawaii District, and Margaret Cox from the Kauai District.
STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS:
Ballot Question No. 1: Provide that the Legislature may define what behavior constitutes a continuing course of conduct in sexual assault crimes. Vote Yes.
Ballot Question No. 2: Allow the Legislature to decide how sexual offenses should be categorized to determine the level of public access to sexual-offender registries, and setting conditions for convicted offenders to challenge inclusion in the registries. Vote Yes.
Ballot Question No. 3: Place in the Constitution existing state laws that protect confidential communications between physicians and patients, psychologists and clients, and counselors and victims. Vote Yes.
Ballot Question No. 4: Allow a prosecutor to bring felony charges against a person by filing written and signed information about the alleged crime and accused offender and presenting it to a judge. Vote Yes.
