Schatz criticizes Hirono's inactivity
Rep. Schatz, running for U.S. House, says she has not made much difference
The race for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House got a bit livelier yesterday as state Rep. Brian Schatz criticized fellow Democrat Mazie Hirono, the perceived front-runner in the campaign.
In his closing remarks at a forum sponsored by the Hawaii Restaurant Association, Schatz noted Hirono's absence. He went on to say that he was not so much concerned about where she was during the forum, "but where has she been over the last four years, or the last 12 years?"
"I think that just being around for a long time is not sufficient criterion for being a leader in the state of Hawaii," he said after the forum. "The question that voters should ask themselves is, Given a position and given the authority to make a real difference, what was done?
"I think it's important to point out that when Ms. Hirono lost the gubernatorial election (in 2002), she essentially left town and stopped participating in public service until the next political opportunity arose."
Organizers of yesterday's forum said all 13 candidates in the race for the 2nd Congressional District (rural Oahu-neighbor islands) were invited, but six, including Hirono, had scheduling conflicts.
Hirono's campaign manager, Julie Stauch, disagreed with Schatz's characterization of the former lieutenant governor, who has been endorsed by several groups already and has raised the most money ($438,713) of those running to succeed Democrat Ed Case.
"It's not about the time, it's about what you can get done and how effective you are at it," Stauch said. "She has a really strong track record at being effective for the people of Hawaii."
Stauch noted Hirono's work while in office on the state's Pre-Plus Program, which provides preschool education to children from low-income families, and on the Hawaii Employees' Mutual Insurance Co., Hawaii workers' compensation system.
Hirono also founded the Patsy T. Mink PAC, a political action committee that supports women running for elective office.
"She's very involved in the community, as she always has been," Stauch said.
Democratic candidates who also attended yesterday's forum were Hanalei Aipoalani, Clayton Hee, Matt Matsunaga and Joe Zuiker. Both Republican candidates in the race, Bob Hogue and Quentin Kawananakoa, also attended.
Absent were Democrats Nestor Garcia, Colleen Hanabusa, Hirono, Gary Hooser and Ron Menor and nonpartisan candidate Robert Wilcox IV.
About 20 people attended the forum, which gave candidates an opportunity to speak on issues of concern to members of the local restaurant industry such as minimum wage and the effects of immigration reform.