Many run but few are up to the task

The races for U.S. House and Senate this year, with three slots to be filled, have drawn a surprisingly healthy turnout of candidates. In two of the three races, incumbents seek a return to D.C.

In years past, incumbency deterred a newcomer from throwing a hat into the ring. That era of Hawaii politics seems to have ended. A full dozen hopefuls are seeking the Senate seat now occupied by Democrat Brian Schatz. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard faces four challengers to represent Hawaii’s Congressional District 2, encompassing all but urban Honolulu. And in District 1, 10 candidates are vying for the open seat, including the person who once held it, Colleen Hanabusa.

That level of political participation is refreshing to see. Upon closer inspection, however, the viable choices in the primary narrow considerably.

When it comes to service as Hawaii’s advocates in the U.S. Capitol, experience matters — and those with the resume supporting this run for office are indeed few.

Here is how the races are shaping up:

U.S. SENATE

In the Democratic primary race, Schatz faces four rivals — Makani Christensen, Tutz Honeychurch, Arturo Reyes and Miles Shiratori — none of whom have the resume equal to the job.

By far, the incumbent senator is best positioned to move on to the general election.

In response to a survey sent by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser editorial board, Schatz pledges to seek increased funding for island transportation, housing, communications and coastal infrastructure. Other funding and policy priorities include climate change, housing and homelessness needs and spending boosts in defense and military construction.

The Republican primary should result in the advance of John Carroll, having served years in the state Senate and as state party chairman. Carroll lists national defense as tops among his issues, which also include curbing the national debt, combatting international terror and ensuring free trade.

Carroll is vying against Karla Gottschalk, Eddie Pirkowski and John P. Roco, who lack the former senator’s background in elected office.

Also on the primary ballot are Michael A. Kokoski, (Libertarian Party), Joy J. Allison (Constitution Party) and John M. Giuffre (American Shopping Party).

U.S. HOUSE (District 1)

The tragic illness of U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, who died July 20 of pancreatic cancer, left a void in this race, and no shortage of contenders. There will be a special election to fill the remainder of his term that ends Jan. 3, but the primary race for the full two-year term will proceed with the field of 10 candidates.

Colleen Hanabusa far outpaces the other Democratic candidates; she owes that advantage to experience she gained as state Senate president and then holding the same congressional post, from January 2011 until January 2015. Serving on the armed services and natural resources committees and she vacated the seat after her unsuccessful Senate run in 2014.

She lists among her priorities lifting the cap on annual earnings subject to the Social Security tax and opposing any cuts to benefits. She also pledges to work to ensure that rail “receives the necessary federal funding,” according to her response to a Star-Advertiser survey.

Lei Ahu Isa, the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee and former state lawmaker who also sat on the state school board, brings a range of legislative and policy experience to the table, but falls short of Hanabusa’s credentials.

Other Democrats are Howard Kim, Javier Ocasio, Sam Puletasi, Lei Sharsh-Davis and Steve Tataii. Also on the ballot is a nonpartisan candidate, Calvin Griffin, as well as Republican Shirlene D. Ostrov and Libertarian Alan J. K. Yim.

U.S. HOUSE (District 2)

Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Gabbard is facing a vigorous challenge for re-election from Shay Chan Hodges, long an activist within the Maui Democratic Party and running to the left of Gabbard.

Chan Hodges is a credible candidate for voters who favor progressive causes, but a seat in Congress is not the optimal starting point for a newcomer to elected office.

Hawaii would best be served by re-electing Gabbard, who has gained attention in the national arena.

The state could benefit from such prominence, provided Gabbard remains close to the concerns of her home constituency.

Gabbard has been an outspoken advocate for important issues such as protecting veterans’ benefits and a refocused foreign policy.

She lists ending the “interventionist regime-change war” in Syria as tops among her issues, which also include protecting the environment, criminal justice reform and campaign finance reform.

In the Republican primary, neither contender, Eric Hafner nor Angela Aulani Kaaihue, has the qualifications that merit the Star-Advertiser’s endorsement. The winner of that race will advance to the general election.

Nonpartisan Richard Turner also is on the primary ballot.

The partisan diversity and full candidate slate do signal a hunger for wider political engagement. It’s unfortunate, though, that this energy is not directed to state and county races, a better career starting point than Congress.