Executive experience overrated?

Mufi Hannemann believes that his executive background (and Neil Abercrombie’s lack of such) is the definitive factor in our choice for governor.

Consider George W. Bush’s stint in the oil business, co-ownership of the Texas Rangers baseball team and then governor of Texas, the second-largest state in size and population.

Contrast this with John Kennedy, who after serving in the Navy, served as a U.S. representative and a senator for only 13 years before becoming the president of the U.S.

Fasis right to pick Hannemann

Mayor Frank Fasi is the reason that Honolulu became such a great city. For a few years after his time as mayor it seemed that the city had lost its way a bit, focusing on things that were not important to the future of Honolulu.

When Mufi Hannemann became mayor, things started to improve again. I see why Frank’s family came out in support of Hannemann, as he was much like Fasi in the way he got things done.

What Hawaii could use right now is a bit more of that good old Fasi work ethic and drive. The Fasi family says "Mufi." I say they are right.

Abercrombie helps little guy

My name is Richard Zamora I am the president of Service Employees International Union Local 56-18 representing more than 600 employees of the Pearl Harbor Navy Base. We are endorsing Neil Abercrombie for governor.

Neil was instrumental in our fight to preserve civil service jobs at the Navy base. Neil was the driving force behind our victory to overturn the contracting out of the fuel depot workers at Pearl Harbor. Neil also forged the partnerships between the construction community and all of the base housing management teams, saving taxpayers millions of dollars and putting to work hundreds of local workers. Neil has always been a champion for the little guy in the true Democratic way. Please vote for Neil.

Aiona is the leader for our time

As the race for Hawaii’s next governor heats up, it’s important to first look at the qualities of what make a good leader. One of Hawaii’s most popular and effective leaders in the past was Kamehameha III, who created Hawaii’s first constitution in 1840, introduced the Great Mahele; coined Hawaii’s motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono" ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), among other things.

In my opinion, the candidate most poised to carry the torch of Kamehameha III is Duke Aiona, with a moral compass and owing no favors to labor unions. Duke’s campaign offers the community "a clear alternative to politics-as-usual." Duke is committed to accelerating private-sector job creation, which include film and high-tech jobs in Hawaii. Duke believes that education and the increase of human capital is essential for Hawaii’s future. If Hawaii is going to have more high-tech jobs, our leadership needs to provide for appropriately educated employees in the workforce.

Included are programs that promote science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) skills. Duke believes that the people of Hawaii need to celebrate science in school as well as we do sports.

KHON debate was enlightening

I want to thank the organizers of the recent gubernatorial debate on KHON. It gave this voter the opportunity to see the two candidates side-by-side and afterwards I believe that the night clearly went to Mufi Hannemann. He had a better command of the issues and was able to best articulate his position on the questions that were posed.

Mufi has had a well-balanced career with experience in the public and private sector and this is one characteristic that distinguishes him from the rest of the candidates running for office today. His belief that strengthening our economy should be the first priority is one I also share because without a strong economy, we won’t have the revenue we need to strengthen core government services and our education system. As a voter, I firmly believe that Mufi Hannemann has what Hawaii needs and will be voting for him in the fall.

Stanley Chang will give his all

Stanley Chang is an amazing young man who will serve us well on the City Council. Stanley graduated top of his class at Iolani and attended Harvard for both his bachelor’s and law degrees. With the world at his fingertips, Stanley came home. Unlike so many of his classmates, he came back to serve Honolulu, to listen to our concerns, to use his education and heart to serve the people of Hawaii. Since coming home, Stanley has gotten a very nice sun tan, not from the beach but because he has knocked on more than 18,000 doors in District 4 and been sign-waving at 6:30 a.m. every weekday since January. There’s no doubt he will give 1,000 percent to the people of Hawaii.

Abercrombie is man with a plan

The "Compare and Decide" brochure from the Hannemann campaign stimulated a lot of discussion on what are issues of relevance in deciding who should be our next governor.

Having witnessed the decimation of essential state services by the Lingle/Aiona administration as a legislative staffer, for me the criterion is simple: I will support the candidate who demonstrates the best understanding of what state government must and can do for the people of our state by their proposed plans and policies.

Mufi Hannemann, on his website under "Vision," has only a 10-point plan that lists an audit, three projects (APEC, Superferry, rail) that have tangential state relevance at best, and other general objectives rather than defined plans or policies.

Abercrombie, on his website under "Issues," has a detailed, 45-page booklet titled "A New Day in Hawaii" that lists more than 20 broad areas, most with specific proposed plans and policies and the values that guide them.

Yes, I agree: Compare and decide. I did. I support Neil Abercrombie for governor.

Caldwell can make a difference

When I first met Kirk Caldwell, I was impressed because he listened to us. He thought The Friends of Chinatown’s idea for the River Art Walk should go forward. With city help, a small group of volunteers made the River Street Block Party happen on Aug. 21. It was a successful and exciting event because our acting mayor and his staff supported and encouraged in us.

Before the Hawaiian blessing in the evening, Kahu Kalama gathered the Nakoa (Hawaiian warriors) and The Friends of Chinatown to "talk stories."

The kahu listened to my manao and to why we wanted to celebrate the wahi pana (special and sacred place) of the river. As the kahu chanted, he asked for a good omen. Later, the Nakoa and I saw a white pueo fly along the river over the block party.

This omen tells me that we have all been blessed. Honolulu is blessed because our acting mayor believes everyone can make a difference for our Chinatown.