Same-sex marriage foes flex muscles in election

A new political battle is being waged against those who voted for and against Hawaii’s same-sex legislation. It was spawned by last year’s special session legalizing gay marriage.

When Gov. Neil Abercrombie called the Legislature back into session to pass a law permitting same-gender marriage here, that action set off shock waves that are only now rumbling through state politics.

Pressure groups both for and against gay marriage are organizing in an attempt to take down both Republican and Democratic key leaders in the same-sex marriage drama.

The intensity of the battle is seen in Kailua, where veteran Rep. Cynthia Thielen, an icon in progressive GOP politics, faces a rare fight from within her own party even before being challenged in the November general election.

"This is going to be a different type of election," says Garrett Hashimoto, state chairman of the Hawaii Christian Coalition.

"The special session is stirring up a lot of new voters. I feel there is a lot of excitement in the air."

Hashimoto is campaigning hard for Joan Hood in her primary contest against Thielen. Hood is the co-pastor of the Life Church of Kailua and says the gay marriage special session "proved that a majority of our current legislators are not interested in letting the people of Hawaii have a say in the most important decision that we face."

Thielen, who has represented Kailua in the Legislature since 1977, is walking her district and reports that voters are interested in much more than her vote in favor of same-sex marriage.

"There are major concerns about solar energy hook-ups, about the future of our economy and also crime in our neighborhood," reports Thielen.

In Kapolei, in the new community on the other side of the island, Democratic Rep. Sharon Har is facing two primary opponents, Nicole Ferguson, who just moved into the district and had to get permission from the Democratic Party to run; and Michael Golojuch Jr., who is chairman of the party’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Caucus.

With the same rebel streak as Thielen, who bucked her party and voted for same-sex marriage, Har crossed her party’s line and voted against same-sex marriage.

"I support Sharon Har with all my heart. I feel that Sharon Har stepped up for us," reports Hashimoto.

As a caveat, Hashimoto adds that in the general election, the winning Democrat will face Suk Moses, the wife of former GOP Rep. Mark Moses and a strong conservative. Hashimoto says if Har wins her primary contest, the conservative Christian Coalition will pull back and not endorse either candidate.

Har reports that her own constituent survey found 70 percent opposition for same-sex marriage and figures she is on solid political footing.

"People who didn’t give me the time of day are now hugging me and saying thank you for listening to the voices of the people," says Har about her door-to-door campaign.

"My district is socially conservative, but the issue is not gay marriage; it is the special session and how it was conducted," says Har.

Meanwhile the Hawaii Christian Coalition is gathering its forces with a special "Pastors Luncheon" on Friday. According to the flier, former GOP Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who is running for governor, and Hashimoto will speak and introduce "pro-family" candidates to the pastors.

"A church cannot speak out and endorse candidates, but pastors do not lose their citizenship; they still have the freedom of speech," Hashimoto says.

So this year, even before the usual general election fight, the conservative Christian right hopes to be a player in the Aug. 9 primary election.

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