Same-sex issue still playing out

Windward and Leeward Oahu comprise several distinct communities, all juggling competing land-use demands, traffic issues and a range of neighborhood needs. However, a large share of the primary-election drama in state House races arises instead from the same-sex marriage debates of the 2013 special session.

The aftermath of those battles presents a challenge to one Leeward and one Windward incumbent, one from each party. Here is our second half of endorsements for state House races with contested primaries:

» The 41st District (Ewa Beach, West Loch Estates), a perennial source of political drama, is ripe for a change. The Democratic incumbent, Rida Cabanilla, 61, has drawn unwelcome headlines over questionable conflicts and actions, most recently, securing a $100,000 state grant for a lapsed nonprofit steered by her, her son and two of her office staff. The state administration rightly says it will not be releasing the money. Further, Cabanilla refused to vote when the same-sex marriage bill came up in special session.

Our pick is Cabanilla’s primary-election challenger, Matthew LoPresti, 40, who offers a welcome fresh perspective and enthusiastic voice. An associate professor and chairman of Hawaii Pacific University’s Asian and Pacific Studies Program, LoPresti seems grounded in working-family issues, such as quality education, traffic and affordable housing.

On the GOP side, we favor Steve Wiggins, 53, a business manager and former Navy man, who has solid ideas on countering homelessness and leveraging technology. His opponent is Bryan Jeremiah, 51, who supports traditional marriage. The winning Democrat and Republican will face former City Councilman Tom Berg, running as a Libertarian, in the general.

» In the Democratic primary for the 42nd District (Kapolei, Makakilo), Sharon Har, who has held the seat for eight years, voted against marriage equality and now faces opposition from gay-rights activist Michael Golojuch; another Democrat, Nicole Ferguson is in the race. Republican Suk Moses will advance unopposed to the general. But Har’s experience and focus have earned her the nomination. She properly focuses her priorities on improving roads, public school capacity and job creation. Har, 44, supports tax incentives to encourage private-sector job growth in an area that has mostly grown government offices and retail outlets.

»In the 43rd District (Kalaeloa, Ko Olina, Maili), Democratic incumbent Karen Awana is our choice. Awana, 45, has paid stiff fines but is still on notice for her recent violations with campaign spending records and has to prove she has that duty well in hand. The word from the community, though, is that her most recent term was productive, securing Nanakuli Library funds and other projects for highways and schools. Her primary challenger is Stacelynn K. M. Eli; the winner will face Republican Andria P. Tupola in November.

» On the Windward coast, established environmental figure Robert Harris, who stepped down as director of the Sierra Club of Hawaii, deserves his party’s nod for the open seat in the 48th District (Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe). His primary opponent is Jarrett K. Keohokalole, an attorney on staff at the University of Hawaii law school; he has legislative aide experience and family history in the community. Harris, however, is the one with the most to offer as a freshman legislator. Also an attorney, his civil law experience includes litigation to keep Valley of the Temples operational, but he is best known for environmental law, including his work to stop the expansion of Turtle Bay Resort to five hotels.

Three candidates — Libertarian Kaimanu Takayama, nonpartisan Kana Naipo and Republican Eldean L. Kukahiko — will join the winner here on the general election ballot.

» As in several other races, the same-sex marriage issue looms over the 50th District (Kailua, Kaneohe), but with an intra-party twist. Republican incumbent Cynthia Thielen, 80, has supported legalizing same-sex marriage as well as the plan to buy a conservation easement at Turtle Bay for $40 million. Her GOP challenger, Joan Hood, has a website that lays out a range of traditional conservative fiscal and social positions.

Having represented her diverse district since 1990, Thielen’s record of community advocacy should more than secure her party’s nomination. Republicans would be best served by keeping someone with Thielen’s seniority and accomplishments. She advances initiatives that have an economic impact as well, such as the recently enacted bill enabling research into industrial hemp cultivation. The GOP victor here will face Democrat Holly A. Broman.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Endorsements: July 20 through July 27, we present our picks for the primary election’s major contested races.