Hawaii Republicans are tying themselves to conservative Christians to ramp up their election campaign with a direct push for Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

Saying that "our faith should influence our values in life and this includes the political arena," the political arm of Hawaii Right to Life is sponsoring a family day at the Bishop Museum Sunday.

In an e-mail to supporters, Hawaii Right to Life says that Aiona and his lieutenant governor candidate, Rep. Lynn Finnegan, "are Hawaii’s pro-life advocates from conception to natural death."

Hawaii Right to Life was formed in 1972 in reaction to Hawaii in 1970 becoming the first state to pass legislation allowing abortions. HRL later expanded to lobby against legislative efforts to pass a "death with dignity" law.

In past elections, the anti-abortion movement has used voter guides as its principal method of influencing elections, by noting which candidates had a "right to life" position.

This year, Hawaii Right to Life joined with Hawaii Family Forum and the Hawaii Catholic Conference to sponsor the general election survey.

A linked website, Bound4life Oahu, features an open letter exhorting voters to pick pro-life candidates, saying "In America, it is legal for Christians to vote, and we must therefore use this right to administer godly justice until this right is taken from us."

In a somewhat less calamitous urging, Jonah Kaauwai, chairman of the state Republican party, is renewing his appeal for island church leaders to become involved in the general election by supporting GOP candidates.

In an e-mail to church leaders, Kaauwai warns that "the liberal secular progressive left of the Democrat party is intending on furthering its agenda in the state Legislature next year."

Kaauwai uses a straightforward plan to get the churches involved in the GOP.

"Find the district your church is in and where you live and find church members for the next 38 days who will get behind these candidates. … Ask for a total of 20 hours from each person in your church for the next five weeks.

"Please consider bringing together your financial leaders in your church to have them contribute as individuals to the candidates," Kaauwai asserts.

Local GOP leaders were able to accomplish a preliminary goal this year by having almost every incumbent Democrat facing a GOP challenger in the general election. The question now is whether the GOP, with its strong link to local churches, will prevail next month.

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.