Editorial: Challenges for Ige, split Congress

Election excitement spread across the nation in Tuesday’s midterms, ending with Democrats taking control of the U.S. House, but Republicans retaining control of the Senate. That electorate energy, with many voters braving storms or four-hour lines due to polling snafus, was nowhere near that intense in low-turnout Hawaii. But enough voters here overwhelmingly chose to give Democrat David Ige another four years as governor, over Republican Andria Tupola, with Josh Green as his new lieutenant governor.

The new congressional dynamic will favor Hawaii’s U.S. House winners: re-elected Tulsi Gabbard and Rep.-elect Ed Case, both Democrats experienced in working with like-minded colleagues on both sides of the aisle. More importantly, being part of the House’s ruling party should bring more influence and committee clout.

In the U.S. Senate, meanwhile, reelected Mazie Hirono — along with Brian Schatz, who wasn’t up for reelection — will continue to press Hawaii’s interests in a chamber kept by Republicans.

These midterm elections were keenly watched as a gauge of Americans’ support for, or resistance to, the Trump administration’s policies. Tuesday’s bevy of close contests only revealed an American divide deeper than ever. Expect heated debate over the next two years on such pocketbook issues as health care and revamps to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.

Here in Hawaii, cuts in federal funds to any such safety-net programs will challenge the Ige administration to deal with the human fallout. Already, the poverty line has ever more Hawaii residents living on paycheck’s edge, intensifying pressure to meet basic needs such as housing.

Over the next four years, Hawaii must see the higher-profile, more-adept David Ige who surfaced in recent months, notably during the high-stakes Democratic primary. With pivotal issues on the horizon, such as building the Thirty Meter Telescope, Ige needs to step up as a leader, not fall back to the safe sidelines.

That passivity is partly what led state legislative leaders to turn on Ige in favor of his primary-election rival, Colleen Hanabusa. Mending bitter fences must be a priority heading into January’s legislative session and beyond, with better communication and collaboration essential to tackling tough state problems.

These include producing more truly affordable housing for working-class residents, a top concern in a changing Hawaii due to wealthy outside investors raising the price of paradise. Crucial infrastructure improvements to roads and airports need attention. And then there’s the problem of improving schools: Since the “school surcharge” constitutional amendment was invalidated by the Hawaii Supreme Court, Ige must direct the state Department of Education to retool its budgeting to be more efficient, and, in tandem, figure how more funding can reach teachers and classrooms.

Speaking of amendments: Disappointingly, Oahu voters failed to pass a City Charter amendment that tried to improve how the rail’s Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) conducts business. It would’ve been a common-sense fix to a logistical problem over quorum — but rather than more efficient decision-making, important votes could well be delayed due to schedule conflicts.

Overall, Tuesday’s local election offered few real choices or game-changers — and that brought even some longtime voters dangerously close to apathy.

“I mailed in my ballot out of hope it still matters, but find it more difficult to fault the majority who don’t consider voting worth their time,” wrote “Volcanic Ash” columnist David Shapiro on Sunday, in a lament echoed by others.

And unfortunately, it’s increasingly true, with incumbents too comfortable and tough to topple, and Hawaii lacking a viable two-party system. With ballot choices continually lackluster, it seems high time to overhaul our voting process. But that’s an editorial for another day; stay tuned.