By Linda Pascatore on 8 August 2012 for Island Breath -
(http://islandbreath.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-kauai-primary-election.html)
[IB Publisher's note: This article was first drafted by Jonathan Jay and was revised and modified to include some opinions of Juan Wilson and Linda Pascatore. We three were pretty much on the same page with some minor differences in strategy.]
Image above: Tulsi Gabbard running for US Congress in District Two. From (http://www.allhawaiinews.com/2012/06/elections-2012-special-report-crowded.html).
There are many candidates running unopposed in this race, and the primary vote won't mean much. However, there are a few cases where your vote may be important.
US FEDERAL RACES
Note: The State and Federal level races are partisan. On the ballot section for these offices, you first have to choose a party. Since there are no choices for the other parties, if you want to make some choices for candidates, choose the Democratic Party. You cannot vote for candidates from more than one party, or your whole ballot will be invalidated.
US SENATE RACE: Vote for MAIZIE HIRONO
The two major contenders against Republican Linda Lingle are Maize Hirono and Ed Case. We think that Maize is better known and liked, and has a better chance of winning. She is not the perfect candidate, but has generally been on the right side of most issues.
US REPRESENTATIVE, District 2: Vote for TULSI GABBARD
This is basically a vote for the anyone beating Mufi Hannemann.Mufi Hannemann is an excellent representative and tireless-booster of the sleazy ʻold schoolʻ politics. He supports hyper-tourism, hyper-development and hyper-militarism. Tulsi is young, ambitious , smart, and attractive. If Tulsi Gabbard can do half as much for Hawaii as she has done for herself in putting together one of the most well produced set of graphics, banner planting teams, and crack campaign coalitions I have seen in some time - Veterans, Youth, Seniors - even the Sierra Club & Dennis Kucinich! - sheʻll do just fine for District 2 in the D.C.
STATE RACES
Note: These races are all muter in that all Democratic candidates are running unapposed. We see no reason to vote when you only have one choice. It is not an expression of freedom.
STATE SENATOR District 8 (Kauai): Ron Kouchi is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Districts 14, 15, 16: Again, three unopposed candidates for the Democratic ticket: Derek Kawakami, Jimmy Tokioka, and Dee Morikawa. It doesn't matter one bit if you vote or not--they will all be on the ballot in November anyway.
COUNTY RACES
Note: The Kauai County level races are non-partisan. Everyone votes on the same primary ballot--you do not choose a political party for this section of the ballot. Some of the new problems arose from attempts to fix past election problems. Remember when Mayor Carvalho was "elected" in the 2008 Primary, because he got 50% + 1 vote. People who did not vote in the primary did not get a chance to vote for Kauai Mayor. The Kauai County Charter was modified so that such an election could not happen again.
This year voting in the primary will decide nothing at the county level. All candidates will go forward to the General Election this fall. Thus, the primary is merely an expensive popularity poll. It's most important effect may be to alter the ability of candidates to gather donations and may determine strategy shifts by unpopular candidates.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, County of Kauai: Vote for JUSTIN KOLLAR
This is more a vote against the corrupt and vindictive Shaylene Iseri-Carvallo. Justin has some good ideas, and appears to be a much better choice than Shaylene.
KAUAI COUNTY COUNCIL:
All 9 people running for council seats will be on the 14 open slots for the November ballot. So everyone gets to keep running. You won't actually be trimming this meager herd. None the less, w are going to vote for the candidates we most want to see on the council.
Image above: Gary Hooser running for Kauai County Council. From (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14746243@N04/4485593206/in/photostream/).
Our big number one recommendation is GARY HOOSER.
We also like TIM BYNUM and JOANN YUKIMURA.
Other alternative picks are NADINE NAKUMURA and KIPUKAI KUALII.
We do not recommend DICKY CHANG, MEL RAPOZO or JAY FUFARO.
OHA candidates will be on the general election ballot, but not on the primary.
Get out and Vote!
For some of the primary races, your vote will be important in deciding who will be on the ballot in November.
POLLING INFO:
Changes have been made for 2012 following the redistricting of federal, state and county political boundaries. Refer to your voter notification postcard for your polling place or contact the Kauai County Board of Elections at 241-4800.
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