Voters deserve ethical, focused campaigning

If one tries to find the polar opposite of the slick, urbane power center that is Capitol Hill, it would be a loose-knit town like rural, rustic Puna on Hawaii island. But now, in dramatic irony, the fate of who occupies one of Hawaii’s valued U.S. Senate seats — incumbent Brian Schatz or challenger Colleen Hanabusa — comes down to residents of two Puna precincts who have yet to vote three days after Saturday’s primary election, due to Tropical Storm Iselle damage. For the two Democratic contenders, with so much at stake, it’ll be a tricky thing campaigning in a disaster zone, so caution against overstepping ethical lines is warranted. The state Office of Elections, meanwhile, must be above reproach about the voting process for these Puna precincts.

Both campaigns have stated, first and foremost, their concern for these hard-hit residents. Fallen trees and debris are blocking roadways, and downed utility lines have left power and communications spotty or nonexistent. It will be indeed interesting to see the type and level of recovery assistance these campaigns intend to supply; any help to restore normalcy is certain to be appreciated.

But surely, there will need to be strong directives sent by Hanabusa and Schatz to their field operatives to avoid any impropriety. The potential for shenanigans, coupled with the vulnerability of these Puna residents, can’t be understated — not with an estimated 6,800 votes still potentially to be cast, and a slim 1,635-vote lead by Schatz. Both candidates are expected to tour devastated Puna soon, and it behooves all volunteers of both camps to keep electioneering ethical.

There’s also real potential for backlash against political pandering, so the campaigns will need to avoid this and, simply, let the voters decide.

The Office of Elections, under chief Scott Nago, performed its overall duties well on Saturday, with only a few minor glitches reported. Now, it must be crystal clear on the ground rules of this extraordinary lingering election in Puna. Despite initial word that voting would be conducted via absentee ballot, the elections office on Monday afternoon now says that voting will be held Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., on-site at Keonepoko Elementary School, for voters of the two affected precincts. With all eyes on Puna, an unimpeachable process is needed to avoid confusion and allow access for all the affected voters.

Whichever Democrat emerges victorious will advance to the general election against Republican Cam Cavasso, Libertarian Michael Kokoski and nonpartisan Joy Allison.

There was considerably less drama in the 1st Congressional District race, where state Rep. Mark Takai soundly beat state Sen. President Donna Mercado Kim nearly 43 percent to 26 percent, plus five other Democrats. Takai’s win sets up a veterans’ duel against Republican Charles Djou for the U.S. House seat; nonpartisan Robert H. Meyer also advanced.

Both Takai and Djou have military experience, and that’s sure to bring an infusion of participation and money from veterans’ political action committees (PACs). Also likely will be national PACs eying political-party control of Congress. On Saturday night, Djou, who served seven months in the U.S. House in 2010, was already touting a bipartisan message. It’ll be crucial for akamai voters to look beyond the PAC messages and the rhetorical talking points and instead, to drive the political conversation and drill deeper on the issues important to Hawaii.

Lamentably but not surprisingly, voter turnout for the primary election was dismal. Yes, pockets of Hawaii island and Maui suffered damage from Iselle and there was lingering anxiety statewide about the storms. But in reality, Saturday was largely fine weatherwise, so the 41.4 percent turnout among registered voters — possibly a record low — is terribly disheartening.

As evidenced by the ongoing U.S. Senate Democratic fight, every single vote does matter. In a land where we’re privileged with the right to vote, it should not take an electoral anomaly exacerbated by a tropical storm to drive this point home. But here we are, and here’s the point: In the Nov. 4 general election, be sure to make your vote count.