Hawaii’s local elections have always been so idiosyncratic and removed from the national scene, but this year the contrast was even more dramatic.
The day before the election, the political sign wavers were out in force, of course, in that goofy local tradition. But there was a new twist: Among the line of anonymous faces were celebrity guest appearances. Former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano, dressed more for a lunch at Mariposa than standing on the side of the road in the wind and intermittent rain, held a sign for Charles Djou and waved to gaping motorists, who may have been wondering if they had missed that she was running for office.
Chang’s opponent, incumbent state Sen. Sam Slom, had former lawmaker and surfing legend Fred Hemmings standing among his sign wavers, throwing up a hearty shaka. Again, there must have been a few drivers who thought, “Wait, Hemmings is on the ballot?” and perhaps, “Gee, that guy never seems to age.”
This year the wife endorsement was employed as a tactic to make milquetoast men seem more lovable. Though the spouses of politicians certainly have figured prominently in campaign ads in the past — elegant Jean Ariyoshi balancing out her stoic husband, charming Joyce Fasi and her good-looking kids grounding firebrand Frank — spouses this year weren’t just part of the package, but also starred in their own commercials.
Stacey Kawasaki Djou was featured in an ad for husband Charles Djou’s mayoral campaign. “He’s a great husband and dad. He tells me I’m beautiful every day and reads our girls a bedtime story every evening.”
Donna Tanoue, wife of incumbent Mayor Kirk Caldwell, likewise appeared in a television ad, saying, “I know Kirk Caldwell very well because we’ve been married for 29 years.”
Translation: If I love him, maybe you can like him a little, too.
In the context of a presidential election that was characterized by hubris beyond measure, Hawaii elections were notable for the power of humility. Republican Slom was unseated by Chang, who won support by the humble act of walking house to house in his district over and over again, knocking on doors and talking to voters face to face in their driveways or on their front steps. Slom, who was slowed a bit by health problems recently, relied more on his incumbency and his almost nightly soundbites on local television news commenting on any story that needed a voice of opposition. Usually, getting your face on TV and talking like an expert is the key to winning, but seeing Chang sweaty and earnest at their front door won people over.
Likewise, Keali‘i Akina managed to upset venerable Haunani Apoliona by similarly doing the humble work of standing on the roadside (alone and in costume on Halloween) and waving to people as they passed.
Humility clearly played no part in Donald Trump winning the presidential election, but the lack of humility probably was a factor in Hillary Clinton’s loss. And now there is the strong possibility that Hawaii will be even farther removed from national politics under a Trump presidency. Maybe Fred Hemmings can help us out. Bridge the gap. Lomi the connection. Throw up a shaka.
CORRECTION: Former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano was sign waving for mayoral candidate Charles Djou. Lee Cataluna’s column on Page B1 Friday said she was sign waving for the state Senate candidate Stanley Chang.
Reach Lee Cataluna at 529-4315 or lcataluna@staradvertiser.com
