Businessman chosen to lead state Republicans

David S. Chang, a businessman and former political candidate, has been elected the new chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, filling a vacancy created when Jonah Kaauwai resigned in September.

Chang was elected unanimously Saturday by the party’s state committee, interim Chairwoman Beth Fukumoto said Tuesday in an email to supporters. The state committee consists of 51 elected House district chairmen, four county chairmen, executive committee members and Republican leaders in the state House and Senate.

"Next year presents many opportunities for our Republican candidates," Chang said in an email asking for members’ support before Saturday’s vote. "As chair, I will devote my efforts to growing our membership, raising funds for the party and our candidates and recruiting strong candidates for 2012. Together, I believe we can propel our party to new heights."

Chang, a West Point graduate, is the chief executive officer and president of Chang Holding Co., which is comprised of several companies, including CS Design Builders, a renovation firm, and WealthBridge Inc., a wealth management company.

Chang unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Karl Rhoads (D, Chinatown-Downtown) in the 2010 election.

"In his many leadership roles, David has learned to respect all viewpoints and work with all people," Fukumoto said in a statement. "He is the right person to lead Hawaii toward a viable-two party system with healthy dialogue and increased diversity for the betterment of our people."

Kaauwai had led the party since 2009 and won a second two-year term in May but resigned four months later amid calls from the state GOP’s executive committee to step down or be removed.

Executive committee members circulated a letter saying they had lost confidence in his leadership as the party struggled with raising money and a party debt of nearly $100,000.