Hannemann sets sights on November

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has tapped Les Chang, the city’s former parks and recreation director, as his running mate in his independent campaign for governor.

Hannemann courted several potential candidates for lieutenant governor, including Dick Tomey, the popular former University of Hawaii football coach, before deciding on Chang. The retired Air Force colonel was Hannemann’s parks and recreation director from 2004 to 2010.

Chang has never run for elective office before and does not have name recognition with voters. Since the Hawaii Independent Party only formed this year and has little money or political infrastructure, its early success will depend on whether Hannemann and Chang have the ability to mount credible campaigns.

Chang, 64, who lives in Kane­ohe, said he considers himself a nonpolitical person running for political office. "But I think that’s what represents the Independent Party," he said, "because most people think that way. They may say they’re Demo­crats, they may say they’re Republicans, but when it comes time to vote, they vote who they think the best candidate is."

Hannemann said the fact that neither he nor Chang has primary opponents will allow them to build for the November general election.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is facing state Sen. David Ige in the Demo­cratic primary. Lt. Gov. Shan Tsu­tsui has to contend with state Sen. Clayton Hee and former television reporter Mary Zanakis in the Demo­cratic primary.

Former Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona does not have a serious GOP primary challenger for governor. Elwin Ahu, a former state judge and senior pastor at New Hope Metro, is up against Warner "Kimo" Sutton, a businessman and Republican activist, in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor.

"We don’t have a primary — a contested primary — that we have to battle through," Hannemann said. "So this is all about being on the final stage."

Tuesday was the filing deadline for candidates.

Eight state House and Senate candidates won outright because they are unopposed: Sen. J. Kalani English (D, Molokai-Lanai-Upcountry Maui-Hana); Hono­lulu City Councilman Breene Hari­moto for the Senate seat being vacated by Ige; Rep. Cindy Evans (D, Kaupulehu-Waimea-Halaula); Rep. Karl Rhoads (D, Chinatown-Iwilei-Kalihi); Rep. Romy Cachola (D, Sand Island-Kalihi-Airport); Rep. Ty Cullen (D, Waipahu-Royal Kunia-Makakilo); Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Whitmore-Poamoho); and Rep. Ken Ito (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili-Kailua).

Minority Republicans, meanwhile, chose not to field candidates for 20 legislative seats — six in the state Senate and 14 in the state House.

Several former lawmakers are seeking comebacks.

Former state Rep. Gil Riviere, who switched political parties and became a Demo­crat after losing in the Republican primary in 2012, wants to replace Hee, who is vacating his state Senate seat to run for lieutenant governor. In the Republican primary for Hee’s seat, state Rep. Richard Fale (R, Waia­lua-Kahuku-Wai­ahole) will take on former state Rep. Colleen Meyer, who lost a close race to Hee in 2012.

Former state Rep. Michael Kahi­kina will challenge state Sen. Maile Shi­ma­bu­kuro (D, Kalaeloa-Waianae-Makaha) in the Demo­cratic primary.

On Hawaii island former state Sen. Lorraine Ino­uye has sought a rematch with state Sen. Malama Solo­mon (D, Kaupulehu-Waimea-North Hilo). Solo­mon defeated Ino­uye by just 69 votes in the Demo­cratic primary in 2012.

Former state Rep. Alex Sonson is going up against state Rep. Henry Aquino (D, Wai­pahu) in the Demo­cratic primary. Sonson lost primary campaigns for state Senate in 2008 and 2012.

On Maui former Mayor James "Kimo" Apana will take on state Rep. Justin Woodson (D, Kahului-Wai­luku-Puu­nene), who was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill a House vacancy last year and is going before Demo­cratic primary voters for the first time.

Other potentially competitive Demo­cratic primary campaigns include state Rep. Nicole Lowen (D, Holualoa-Kailua-Kona-Honokohau) against Kalei Akaka, granddaughter of retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka. Lowen held off Akaka by just 45 votes in the primary in 2012.

In a Republican primary that could foreshadow the impact of gay marriage on this year’s elections, state Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kailua-Kaneohe), the only Republican at the Legislature who voted for marriage equality, has a challenge from Joan Hood, an apostle with Pacific Realm of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.

In the November general election, former state Rep. Michael Magaoay, who lost a state Senate bid in 2012, is attempting to return to the House by taking on freshman state Rep. Lauren Cheape Matsu­moto (R, Mili­lani-Schofield-Kunia).

Former state Rep. Marilyn Lee, if she can make it out of a primary, is seeking a November rematch against freshman state Rep. Beth Fuku­moto (R, Mili­lani-Mili­lani Mauka-Wai­pio Acres), who beat Lee in 2012.

And Tom Berg, a former Hono­lulu city councilman, again plans to go up against his former boss, state Rep. Rida Caba­nilla (D, Ewa Beach-West Loch Estates) — if she emerges from a primary — this time as a Libertarian Party candidate. Berg, as a Republican, lost to Caba­nilla in 2008 and 2010.

In Honolulu former state Rep. Tommy Waters is seeking the City Council seat being vacated by Councilman Stanley Chang, who is running for Congress. Former state Rep. Sam Aiona, who also served as state GOP chairman, is running against Councilwoman Carol Fuku­naga. Four newcomers who have never run for office before are vying for the Council seat being vacated by Hari­moto, who is moving on to the state Senate.