Endorsements for urban races

And then there were 18 — state House races on Oahu, that is, that remain contested in the Nov. 8 general election. Today, the Star-Advertiser offers recommendations for the first third of those races, with the remainder to come Friday and Saturday.

>> District 17 (Kalama Valley-Hawaii Kai): A rarity in Hawaii’s 76-member Legislature, this district’s incumbent is a Republican — Gene Ward, who is challenged by political newcomer, Democrat Karlen Ross. Ward gets our nod for his engagement with constituents, diligently keeping them apprised of issues such as Maunalua Bay management, homeless encampments and the Koko Head stables. In a Democrat-ridden House, Ward’s opposition to proposals such as vehicle/gas tax increases in face of dubious spending is welcome. Ross, a restaurant manager and former diner co-owner, is right in observing a generational transition within his Democratic Party; with some community service and seasoning, he would be one to watch.

>> District 19 (Diamond Head-Kaimuki-Kapahulu): Longtime Democratic incumbent Bertrand Kobayashi certainly knows his district, and it knows him: The lifelong Kaimuki resident has served four House terms (the first in 1978) and three Senate ones, with a stint in between as the state Health Department’s deputy director for community hospitals. It is that latter job that might prove useful as the state struggles with its ailing public hospitals. His legislative expertise and thoughtful opposition to various transportation tax increases also will help. Republican Stephen N. Bischoff, a retired city road maintenance supervisor and Vietnam-era veteran, has definite ideas when it comes to VA issues, such as a new VA hospital in his district, and teaching standards in schools. Libertarian Anthony J.L. Higa is a registered nurse whose priority issues are help for the homeless, lower taxes and ending the war on drugs.

>> District 20 (Palolo-St. Louis Heights-Kaimuki): For the seventh time, Democrat incumbent Calvin K.Y. Say will square off against Julia E. Allen — but despite the challenger’s tenacity, Say should be re-elected. A fiscal conservative, former speaker Say brings the perspective and steadiness needed to counter more-impressionable, rank-and-file Democrats.

Mindful of the public purse, he has repeatedly sought to lower union benefits, which he considers overly generous. Allen is a state Senate aide and involved with the neighborhood board; she staunchly opposes all tax increases and vows to stop Pono Choices and Common Core in the schools.

>> District 22 (Waikiki-Ala Moana-Kakaako): Tom Brower, the Democratic incumbent, has been controversial since he took a sledgehammer to homeless people’s shopping carts in 2013. His frustration over a growing problem was understandable but the aggression was not. In June 2015, he was assaulted at the Kakaako encampment; that violence would spur a needed clearing of the area’s public spaces. Now comes Republican Kathryn Henski, a retired businesswoman, whose intriguing resume includes turning her hostel in Alaska into a de facto shelter for homeless people. In the span of three years, she says, some 3,000 homeless were sheltered, then helped on their way. Henski and her husband also have fostered 35 medically fragile children. Both candidates are earnest and have a good grasp of their district’s challenges — Kakaako overdevelopment and Waikiki growth, for instance — but Henski’s hands-on, can-do vibe is refreshing. Perhaps it would prove infectious in the Legislature.

>> District 24 (Makiki-Moiliili- McCully-Tantalus): The clear choice here is Democratic incumbent Della Au Belatti, who is an attorney, advocate for women issues and social justice, and a diligent legislator since being elected in 2006. Her Republican opponent is ironworker and military veteran Larry Fenton, who in August was temporarily court-ordered to stay away from Belatti after making statements considered threatening. Where Belatti supports marriage equality and gun control, Fenton is pro-life and pro-gun. Libertarian candidate Michelle Rose Tippens is an unemployed disabled veteran who volunteers for the Hawaii Veterans Cannabis Alliance.

>> District 28 (Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley): John M. Mizuno, the Democratic incumbent since 2006, is in a rematch with Republican Carole Kaapu. Among other roles, Mizuno is House vice chairman and chairs the Legislature’s Keiki &Kupuna Caucus, posts that can move along needed initiatives for more vulnerable members of society. Kaapu provides media services to faith-based organizations overseas, and advocates balanced budgeting and smaller government.