Unlike most other regions of the state, communities that dot the northern quadrant of Oahu, around the entire Windward coast, are about to witness significant changes in leadership at the state Capitol.
Of the handful of state House districts there, three will have a political newcomer installed in office. Two of those are unopposed in the Nov. 6 general, so are already elected: Democrats Lisa Kitagawa and Scot Matayoshi, in Districts 48 and 49, respectively.
That still leaves four House posts to be decided, with the winners to grapple with homelessness, education, land use, traffic and other issues.
Here are the candidates for those House races, and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s picks for them (other legislative contests were covered earlier this week):
>> District 46 (Wahiawa-Whitmore Village-Launani Valley): The choice for voters may come down to personal policy preferences, as both worthy candidates have resumes showing community engagement.
Republican John Miller, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Wahiawa, stakes out the more conservative, pro-business stance; he also works in homeless outreach and favors policies supporting health coverage and Wahiawa General Hospital.
However, Democrat Amy Perruso gets our endorsement for her more fully fleshed-out platform of positions, generally oriented toward the middle-class and working poor of her constituency, including homelessness programs and a boost to a $15 minimum wage. The Mililani High School social studies teacher and union officer also can be expected to serve as an outspoken schools advocate, too.
>> District 47 (Waialua-Kahuku-Waiahole): This seat, being defended by Democratic Rep. Sean Quinlan, is in the sights of its former GOP occupant, Richard Fale, who left the Legislature after he lost a 2014 race for Senate. Fale has been active as a lead investor in a consortium to buy a rugby team, an enterprise his group is still pursuing. His background includes serving in the Army as a paralegal and combat engineer, as well as farming.
With reapportionment, this district has flipped back and forth between parties in the past decade or so, but it’s Quinlan who now deserves a chance to return for a second term. In his first session, one of his bills was enacted to pilot onsite recycling collection at state properties. He also has been working with state and city lawmakers on problems such as the Laniakea Kamehameha Highway pedestrian hazards, favoring a stoplight for crossing and better traffic flow.
>> District 50 (Kailua-Kaneohe Bay): Our endorsement goes to Republican legislator Cynthia Thielen, who has served since 1990 and has rarely faced a general-election challenge as strong as the one posed by Democrat Micah Kalama Pregitzer, a science teacher at Kalaheo High School.
His is a progressive agenda that pushes for public preschool, an increased minimum wage and increasing affordable housing stock. We hope he remains politically engaged.
Thielen retired as an environmental attorney and remains an engaged, active environmental-protection advocate, championing green energy, hemp cultivation and other initiatives. Along with her pro-business stance, she fits within a moderate GOP profile that has broad appeal.
>> District 51 (Kailua-Lanikai-Waimanalo): This diverse district has been capably represented by Democrat Chris Lee. He faces the GOP’s Noe Galea’i, vice chairwoman of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board and president of the board of the Waimanalo Health Center, active within her community and a credible contender for this seat.
However, the district would best be served by allowing the incumbent another term in office. As chairman of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, Lee has been effective in shepherding legislation on energy and advancing a range of progressive goals. We favor a continuation of his public service.
