SUBHEAD: Island Breath editorial staff recommendations for 2010 September 18th Primary.
Image above: Gary Hooser speaking up for ocean access at a State House demonstration on Honolulu in 2009. From (http://www.beachaccesshawaii.org/labels/public%20beach%20access.html).
By Juan Wilson on 9 September 2010 -
Among our editorial staff there was not unanimous support for all candidates, but there was general consensus on all the major contests. Where things got most difficult was at the local level for a full slate of seven for Kauai County Council. That contest is a winnowing down process that often ends up deciding who you must eliminate rather than include. Another difficulty was with a couple of the State Representative districts where there were slim pickings among possible candidates.
Anyway, below is our selection for the state primary race coming up on Saturday, the 18th of September. They are, in our opinion, the most in tune with the large transitions that are underway and moving us to a lower-tech, lower-energy, regionalism where we will grow our own food, do with less, and generally live more self-reliant lives.
Some of these politicians are incumbents, and on the right path already (Morita and Hirono come to mind). We are blessed to have them. Others on our list don't yet advocate what we believe but have virtues that may get them on our side in time.
It should be noted that it seems the state and county have no comprehensive online site for viewing who is a candidate for each public office in the upcoming primary. That seems ridiculous. As usual, the Hawaii League of Women Voters has filled the void with just what you need to begin your own search for who you want to represent you. Click here http://www.lwv-hawaii.com/candidates.htm.
Island Breath Slate for 2010 Primary on September 18th 2010
U.S. Senate:U.S. Representative District 2:State Governor:State Lt. Governor:State Senator Kauai (District 7):State Representative (District 14):State Representative (District 15):Rhoda LibreState Representative (District 16):Kauai Mayor:Kauai County Council:Rolf BieberKen TaylorTim Bynum (Incumbent) (http://www.timbynum.com/issues__press.htm)Mel Rapozo (http://melforcouncil.com/blog)
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5 comments :
Just so our readers know, there was not unanimous agreement on these endorsements.
Well, I think it would be useful to your local readership to present the differing views in detail.
We very much need more openess about those we are expected to vote for in Hawaii. Who are they, what have they stood for thus far, and what do they say they will support and priortize in the future? (Instead of the usual American system of back-stabbing attack, and manipulative propaganda & fear-mongering to win votes.)
This article was much appreciated, though too late for me as I vote absentee through the mail. Will seriously consider your endorsements for the General, but please post them plenty early.
And, as Brad said, if there is a back story that is informative, why not share that too ?
Good job, Jenny
Really surprised you endorse Nadine Nakamura who wants more development and Tim Bynum and even Yukimura.
Dishonest candidates or ones that are focused on what we are completely sick of need not be mentioned.
Best to vote for one or two of your ideal candidates...if there is such a thing.
Kualii has not said much and donʻt know what he stands for and would like to vote for him though.
Ken Taylor and Rolf Bieber are tops.
If we could have a few clones of these two to make up the remaining council weʻd be doing really great.
Aloha Elaine,
My experience with Nadine has been when she has acted as a facilitator between sides of controversial planning issues. In that role she has been neutral and not driven by her own agenda. I think she is thoughtful and has a skill that the at large county lacks... the ability to think like a planner, to anticipate and adjust events in the future with some stated goal in mind. She may be wrong about how much "smart", "green" or "suburban" growth is possible or desirable, but I do not think she is driven by money or power.
Moreover, I have seen her find the middle ground that best met the needs of parties on opposite sides of an issue; a Sonia Sotomayor, if you will. The council needs someone to bridge the divide between the opposing blocs, and besides we need more women on the council.
Finally, I think it is interesting she has a testimonial from Puna Dawson on her website. http://nadinenakamura.com/page4.shtml
Actually, Jenny, there was only disagreement on a couple of the County Council endorsements. All of the rest we agreed on.
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