Veteran state Sen. Rosalyn Baker faces opposition from three first-time candidates from different political parties in her bid for a sixth term in Maui’s 6th District.
They are Democrat Terez Amato, Libertarian Bronson Kekahuna Kaahui and Republican Jared P. Dubois.
State senators usually serve four-year terms, but because of redistricting Baker (D, West Maui-South Maui) is running after winning in 2012.
Baker, 67, a 17-year veteran of the state Senate, is a political survivor who managed to rise out of the ashes of defeat twice early in her career to become a Democratic leader in the Legislature.
She has lost two elections — once in a state House race against Republican William Pfeil in the late 1980s and again in the primary against Democrat Jan Buen, who served from 1998 to 2002.
As former chairwoman of the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2006 to 2008 and most recently chairwoman of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, Baker wields enough influence to gain support for Maui projects.
Supporters note the $500 million appropriated last session for building projects in Maui County, including $130 million for a Kihei High School and $19.5 million to acquire land at Lipoa Point at Honolua in West Maui.
Her campaign supporters also emphasize that she has successfully pushed to establish a helicopter air ambulance system and a library in Kihei.
Baker, former majority leader, said a legislator needs to look at various ways to creatively finance a project.
"A lot of these things take a lot of follow-up and working with colleagues," she said.
At the same time, she also gathered some critics who perceive her as out of step with key issues, including legislation last session that would have required companies to put labels on genetically modified food.
"Sen. Baker is out of touch with what the people of Maui want, as she has clearly demonstrated by her position on GMO labeling, pesticides and other consumer protection, environmental and health issues," said fellow Democrat Amato. "I provide a fresh voice and clear vision. I am working for the people of South and West Maui, not for special interest in Honolulu."
Amato said she decided to run against Baker after viewing on public access cable her conduct as a legislative leader during a hearing about GMO labeling.
"I saw that Sen. Baker was not representing me or my neighbors on Maui," Amato said. "She was clearly representing the interests of corporations."
Amato said she would never accept campaign contributions from corporations or lobbyists. She also criticizes Baker’s support for a bill to sell Maui Memorial Medical Center to a private entity, Banner Health, "without the consent of our workers or input of our citizens."
Amato, 38, a single parent of four children and a concierge by occupation, said she was raised in a family construction business and learned all of the aspects of operating and managing a family business.
"I understand the challenges that small businesses face here in Hawaii," she said.
Baker said she has no problem with food label disclosures, but the state attorney general has informed lawmakers that they’re pre-empted by Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from passing food labeling laws.
She said her committee did not have the votes to pass the GMO-labeling bill out for a floor vote, and she was asked by lawmakers to publicly announce that the votes were insufficient.
Baker said the state Senate passed a concurrent resolution asking Hawaii’s congressional delegation to seek clarification about food labeling, but the resolution was not adopted by the state House.
At the same time, Baker said she hasn’t seen scientific evidence that GMO products are harmful and has no problem with farmers using science to do a better job.
Baker said state-funded hospitals including Maui Memorial are experiencing staff shortages and aging facilities and should have the option of developing public-private partnerships to create a sustainable business plan.
"What’s wrong with having a conversation?" Baker said. "I’m all about solutions."
The winner of the state Democratic primary election Aug. 9 will advance to face Republican Dubois and Libertarian Kaahui.
Dubois, 51, who works as a clerk for the county Department of Parks and Recreation, said he’s in favor of term limits of eight to 12 years for legislators and that Hawaii’s political system has evolved into a "one-party state."
Kaahui, who turns 29 on Sunday, was raised in Olowalu in a family of farmers. He said he believes government is growing too big and infringing on the rights of individuals, and he’s in favor of the legalization of marijuana.
