The next four-year term sought by candidates for the state’s top executive posts are, at best, clouded with economic uncertainty. Deep cuts in federal funds that back many programs in Hawaii has demanded attention to state priorities and decisions on how limited resources should be spent.
Josh Green, the incumbent governor, is well out in front of the field. In terms of experience and capability, he merits the Democratic Party nomination in Hawaii’s primary. As mail-in voting begins this week, he can make the strongest case for finding that elusive, sustainable path.
Campaign season arrived amid upheaval on the fifth floor of the state Capitol, one that opened the race for the No. 2 spot. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke ended her pursuit of a second term due to probes into campaign finance violations — including a complaint recently filed by the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission with the state attorney general.
That vacancy drew serious contenders for the lieutenant governor spot, including Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami, and longtime state Rep. Della Au Belatti. Although his own tangle with a controversial campaign donation is now an election issue, Kawakami has executive experience navigating economic challenges, such as affordable housing, that makes him the stronger contender for Democrats.
Belatti, a 20-year veteran of the state House, including serving as majority leader and health chair, also was co-convener of the Good Government Caucus, working for passage of Senate Bill 2471, now Act 11. The law reins in corporate power to spend money on state elections or ballot measures. That high-profile fight shines a spotlight on election finance, which Kawakami ought to note with care.
For his part, the mayor defended his acceptance of a $15,000 donation in 2022 from businessman Milton Choy, who was convicted in 2022 of bribery in a case that took down two state legislators. Kawakami said the donation was legal and that he saw that no special favors were given in any quid-pro-quo.
Still, most other politicians returned or donated their Choy-linked funds more promptly than Kawakami. He has since donated $12,000 to Kauai schools and returned the remaining $3,000 to the Campaign Spending Commission — a course correction that should have occurred far earlier.
Looking ahead in the remaining weeks of the primary election, Kawakami should make himself as available as possible to voters at remaining public appearances. The public would like to hear more about how he intends to expand his Kauai initiatives into a statewide push for affordable housing.
He has pledged to work on the state’s established homelessness programs, which are among the brightest spots in Gov. Green’s record. In addition, Green can justifiably tout his efforts so far to balance tax reform with delivering enough funds for the most crucial programs in Hawaii’s social safety net.
The governor also leans on his expertise as a medical doctor to guide public health decision, certainly an asset as Hawaii deals with continuing shortages of medical providers. That’s especially so with the proposed alliance between Hawaii Pacific Health and the state’s largest insurer, Hawaii Medical Services Association, on the horizon.
Gary Cordery and Ken Fujiyama are the two Republican candidates for governor, joined on the GOP ballot by lieutenant governor hopefuls Daniel Anthony, Hopelin (Hope) Cresencia, Margaret Rose Mejia and Robert E. Peters. Candidates without a record in elected office have a long shot at best seeking top jobs, but Cordery and Anthony offer the most promising private-sector resumes and political platforms for GOP voters.
Cordery, a long-established contractor who wants to apply his experience to housing policy, he also sets his economic sights on eliminating the general excise tax on food and medicine and other tax initiatives, and educational reforms such as greater emphasis on financial literacy and Hawaiian language instruction.
Anthony is a taro farmer and activist who has worked on Native Hawaiian cultural concerns. He has worked as a community organizer for events such as the annual Hawaiian sovereignty observance La Ho‘iho‘i Ea and events focusing on environmentalism and food security.
Also in the primary race for governor are Democrats Duke Bourgoin, George (Teva) Lucas-Tadeo and Lauren Kapoliahi‘iaka Shim; and nonpartisan candidates Bu Laia Hill, John M. (Raghu) Giuffre, Clyde McClain (Mac) Lewman and Calvert A. Williamson.
Other lieutenant governor hopefuls are Democrats John Choi, Ku L. (Bobby) Cuadra and Sam Puletasi, along with nonpartisan Kilakila Kamau.
As voters consider their mail-in ballots for the Aug. 8 primary, whatever their party preference, they would be wise to make their choices with a focus on experience and capability to guide Hawaii through some tough times ahead.
ENDORSEMENTS COMING THIS WEEK:
>> Tuesday: City Council, Oahu issues
>> Wednesday: Key state Senate, House races
>> Thursday: More key House races
>> Friday: Balloting overview, how to vote
