MEDIA RELEASE

Dru Kanuha

Lifetime Hawaii Island resident Dru Mamo Kanuha has announced he will run for the newly-created County Council District 7, representing downtown Kailua Village and the Kona area from roughly Kainaliu north to Kona’s Old Airport.

Kanuha was born in Kealakekua and raised near the shore, in the ahupua’a of Holualoa. His father, Jerome Kanuha, was also born and raised in Kailua-Kona. His mother, Debbie Kanuha, was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Redondo Beach, California and has been in Kona for more than 40 years. The Kanuha family has lived for generations in the Keopu ahupua’a that extends from Kailua Bay through the area now known as Emma’s Square and mauka, and is known for their stewardship of Kona lands.

Kanuha attended Mokuaikaua Church pre-school, Kahakai Elementary School, and Kealakehe Intermediate and High School. Kanuha graduated from the University of San Diego in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in Business Administration.

Kanuha says he’s been interested in serving the people of Hawaii Island in a leadership role since he was a boy, and attended many public meetings about roads, infrastructure, and development with his father while he was still in high school. Kanuha feels the time is right for him to represent the people of Kona and West Hawaii on the County Council. He says recent divisiveness on the County Council has concerned many citizens. He says he feels he can help the County Council regain a sense of looking out for the entire island as a whole, even though his primary focus will be the new Kona District 7.

Kanuha has been involved in public service for more than a decade. He has taught free tennis lessons to children every summer at the Old Kona Airport, worked with the Kealakehe High School Waveriders Against Drugs, and cleaned rubbish off beaches. Kanuha also served on the Hawaii Island Burial Council from 2010 to 2011 as the Kona Representative. Over the past year he served on the Hawaii Island Redistricting Commission, representing (the current) Kona District 7. Kanuha also serves on the Board of Director for Kai ‘O Pua Canoe Club, one of the oldest Canoe Clubs in the state with a membership of over 300, and in which his great-grandfather had a founding role.

Kanuha is employed by Kamehameha Schools-Land Assets Division, Hawaii Island, focusing on water and agricultural resources. In this capacity, he supports community outreach, promoting agricultural related events that support Kamehameha Schools’ Strategic Agricultural Plan. Previously Kanuha worked for Judiciary and Labor Chairman Clayton Hee as a Legislative Aide at the Hawaii State Capitol.

Kanuha is a founding member of The Betty Kanuha Foundation, Inc., which was formed in 2001 as a tribute to his grandmother. The Betty Kanuha Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports literacy and cultural programs for the youth of Hawaii Island. In the past 11 years, the Foundation has given over $250,000 to the West Hawaii Community, in the form of start-up reading programs, computers for classrooms, athletic programs for schools, scholarships for pre and post high school students, repairing the aging Simmons field at the Old Kona Airport, and holding eight consecutive years of the free “Kalae Iki” Youth Baseball Clinic for island boys and girls. The Foundation has also supported the continued restoration of Keolonahihi Heiau, beach cleanups, and numerous other programs aimed at cultural and educational opportunities for Kona Youth.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Republican Party has announced presidential candidate Rick Santorum has registered to be on the ballot for the March 13 Hawaii Republican Caucuses.

Hawaii GOP Chair David Chang said: “We are pleased that all of the front running Republican Presidential candidates are now on the ballot. The Hawaii Republican Caucus gives voters a real choice and a real voice in the Presidential race.”

The outcome of the March 13 voting will determine delegate allocation to the competing candidates. In 2012 for the first time in history, Hawaii Republican voters will be directly deciding which GOP Presidential candidates receive delegates from Hawaii.

Santorum joins, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Ron Paul on the March 13 ballot. The deadline for registration is Feb. 28.

The Hawaii GOP Caucuses are 6-8 p.m. Tuesday March 13 at voting locations for each State house district. Voting is open to Hawaii voters with photo ID who sign a GOP membership card at the polling place.

For a complete list of caucus locations, visit: www.gophawaii.com/pres…

For more information on the caucus, visit: www.gophawaii.com/2012…

MEDIA RELEASE

U. S. Senate candidate Ed Case has publicly asked his Democratic
opponent Mazie Hirono to “hit the road” with him statewide to take their candidacies to Hawaii’s voters together.

“Voters are entitled to listen to us debate the issues of our day, just as we must be able to do as their United States Senator”, Case said in an open letter to Hirono. “I hope you agree that providing voters the opportunity to compare us side‐by‐side and in person
across Hawaii will bring this election personally to their doorstep and help bridge the widening chasm between government and citizens.”

A month ago Case asked the Democratic Party of Hawaii to host statewide joint presentations by him and Hirono. While the DPH was favorable, Hirono has not agreed.

“Another month has passed and the clock is ticking down”, Case wrote, toward the start of Democratic primary voting in less than five months. Case pointed out that Hirono has a light congressional schedule which will leave her around 100 full days at home before then when she could join Case.

Case suggested a number of options to Hirono, including forums on the economy and budget hosted by Hawaii chambers of commerce and other business groups, on Social Security and Medicare hosted by AARP, and on government reform hosted by Common Cause Hawaii.

Case also asked Hirono to accept, as Case has, an invite by KITV 4 News and Civil Beat to a statewide television debate June 13, and to work with him to arrange other statewide TV and radio debates.

Full text of Case’s letter to Hirono:

Dear Mazie:

Hawaii voters have a crucial choice to make between us in the Democratic primary for Hawaii’s next U. S. Senator. Voting in that primary starts in less than five months.

In making that decision, voters are entitled to listen to us debate the issues of our day, just as we must be able to do as their United States Senator. I hope you agree that providing voters the opportunity to compare us side‐by‐side and in person across Hawaii will bring this election personally to their doorstep and help bridge the widening chasm between government and citizens.

A month ago now I asked our Democratic Party of Hawaii to host statewide joint presentations between us before the start of primary voting. Our DPH chair responded favorably, as did many DPH members and other voters throughout Hawaii.

You did not respond, but your spokesperson said that you “will participate in constructive forums which provide voters useful information, have meaningful reach and do not conflict with her congressional duties. We will be releasing our proposed criteria for evaluating joint appearances.” I don’t believe you have released your criteria or agreed to any such appearances.

Another month has passed and the clock is ticking down. The U. S. House’s 2012 schedule shows that you will only be in session for 73 of the 192 days remaining until the August 11th Democratic primary. Even allowing for travel time, you have at least 100 full days available at home including eight full weeks.

Hitting the road with me across the state during your time home will give voters statewide a wealth of “useful information” on critical issues like our economy, budget and Social Security and Medicare and on each of us as their next Senator. I hope you agree that your spokesperson’s “meaningful reach” comment was not meant to
restrict our joint appearances to one or two carefully scripted TV debates, excluding voters in communities throughout Hawaii from sizing us up personally.

Here are some suggested ways we could take our candidacies right to the voters:

(1) Democrats. Again, ask the DPH and county parties to conduct candidate nights for us and other Democratic candidates.

(2) Economy/budget. Ask the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and other chambers and business organizations in all counties to conduct forums where we can discuss growing our economy and balancing our federal budget.

(3) Seniors. Ask AARP to host a joint discussion on preserving Social Security and Medicare and assuring affordable and available health care for our seniors.

(4) Government reform. Ask Common Cause Hawaii and other government reform organizations to host a forum on fixing DC.

This would be in addition to asking our TV and radio stations statewide to host debates between us. (I hope you will accept now, as I have, KITV 4 News’ and Civil Beat’s invitation to us to a televised debate June 13.)

I ask you now for a direct answer on whether you will work with me to schedule statewide joint appearances to bring our candidacies right to voters throughout Hawaii. What would truly provide voters with an informed choice and invite them back into their government awaits only your commitment to do so.

Aloha,
Ed

— Find out more:
www.edcase.com

MEDIA RELEASE

Neighbor island Democratic Congressional candidate Bob Marx supports a national bill to increase millionaires’ income tax rate to 30 percent. The bill, to be introduced by U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), would bring in about $50 billion a year.

Speaking Wednesday to a group of Kaneohe democrats, Marx said:

“It is just wrong that an investment fund manager – who makes more than $1 million per year – pays a lower tax rate than Hawaii’s hard-working teachers and construction workers. There is too much economic insecurity and debt in America for millionaire investors such as Mitt Romney to only pay a 14 percent tax rate.”

He said, “Legislation that would require multi-millionaires whose earnings are based on investments to pay at least 30 percent of their income in taxes is a good start towards fairness.”

Whitehouse’s bill would require individuals whose income exceeds $1 million from investments or hedge-funds to pay up to 30 percent of their income in taxes.The policy group Citizens for Tax Justice estimates that this would provide the U.S. government in about $50 billion a year.

Marx is rallying support for this bill as part of his campaign for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, which represents rural Oahu and the neighbor islands. The Obama administration has also supported this bill.

“Corporations have had explosive profits in the past 10 years, while much of America is either unemployed or have had their salaries cut. We need to overhaul tax laws to restore the middle class,” he said. “Too many Americans have lost their homes and their jobs from this past decade’s recession for millionaires not to pay their fair share.”

— Find out more:
www.bobmarxforcongress…

MEDIA RELEASE

Tulsi Gabbard’s campaign for U.S. Congress continues to gain momentum with the FEC filing showing the candidate raised $208,255 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Seventy-four percent of Tulsi’s donors are from Hawaii, and 60 percent of all donations were $200 or less signaling strong grassroots support. The campaign’s fourth quarter fundraising total represents a 63 percent increase in fundraising compared with third quarter numbers.

Tulsi Gabbard

The numbers bring Gabbard’s total for 2011 up to $356,360 raised, with 60 percent of all donations coming in increments of $200 or less. The campaign’s total cash-on-hand is $317,278.

Gabbard’s fourth quarter fundraising numbers:

* Contributions: $208,255
* Cash on hand: $317,278
* Contributions of $200 or less: 60 percent
* Contributions from Hawaii: 74 percent
* Increase in amount raised in Q4 compared to Q3: 63 percent

Gabbard Background:

As a member of the Hawaii National Guard, Tulsi Gabbard served two tours of duty in the Middle East. She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her service and was recently commissioned as a Captain.

A Democrat, Tulsi was the youngest woman in America ever elected to a state legislature when in 2002 at the age of 21 she won a Hawaii State House seat. Two years later, Tulsi sacrificed her position in the Legislature to voluntarily join her fellow soldiers being deployed to a war zone in Iraq.

Between her two deployments to the Middle East, Tulsi served as an aide to Sen. Daniel Akaka in the U.S. Senate.

In 2010, she was elected to the Honolulu City Council where she chairs the Safety, Economic Development, and Government Affairs committee.

Gabbard is a candidate for Hawaii’s second congressional district encompassing rural Oahu and the Neighbor Islands.

— Find out more:
www.VoteTulsi.com

From Ed Case, candidate for U.S. Senate:

My top priority as U.S. Senator will be to grow our economy and create good jobs. For Hawaii that means in part maintaining and enhancing our current economic drivers.

At upwards of a quarter of our total economy and our second largest employer (after tourism), our defense community is not only an integral part of our fabric but a key economic pillar. For your Senator, that means providing strong leadership in DC that knows and values Hawaii’s military and its contributions to our national defense, and advocates effectively for our defense presence and to maximize its local contributions.

Above all, it means not taking our defense community for granted, for the next decades will bring severe budget pressures on our national defense and moves to realign and reduce our defense installations.

This could well include Hawaii, as we saw for example today with the Pentagon proposing another Base Realignment and Closure process (BRAC), which when last undertaken in 2005 almost resulted in closure of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, a key part of our military presence and economy.

Ten Principles. I will be guided by these 10 principles.

(1) Hawaii will continue to have a unique and growing responsibility and role in our national defense in this Pacific Century.

(2) Our defense community can and should continue to provide growing, diverse and quality job opportunities for Hawaii’s citizens.

(3) We can best enhance Hawaii’s defense community by growing our national economy; that ensures a realistic and affordable national defense.

(4) Hawaii defense spending benefits all sectors of our economy, especially our small businesses when their access to federal contracts is ensured.

(5) We should facilitate defense-private partnerships uniquely suited to Hawaii such as marine and alternate energy research and development.

(6) We cannot take Hawaii’s defense community for granted in the face of what will be decades of substantial budget pressures.

(7) We must assure our defense community what it needs to fulfill its mission, to include reasonable bases and training facilities, affordable housing and quality education.

(8) We must also ensure that our defense community remains a responsible and vested partner in Hawaii’s future, to include protecting our environment and culture.

(9) We must strengthen efforts to integrate Hawaii’s defense and civilian communities and to avoid stovepipe thinking.

(10) A Senator matters, from ensuring a strong, responsible and affordable national defense, to representing the interests and addressing the needs of Hawaii’s military, protecting and strengthening defense installations and programs, and assuring that Hawaii’s businesses and workers have full access to economic opportunities and jobs.

Ten Specifics. As examples, my agenda on enhancing Hawaii’s defense presence will include these 10 specifics.

Generational defense review. Advance the ongoing generational review of national defense policy with an increased focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

Budget advocacy. Oppose “sequestration” of the defense budget or any other indiscriminate across-the-board defense cuts; advocate for budget decisions based on realistic assessments of threats and capabilities.

BRAC prep. Work with Hawaii’s military and civilian communities to improve all Hawaii defense installations (to include Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard) to prevent closures from any next BRAC process.

Targeted federal programs. Authorize federal programs and appropriate federal funds for public-private partnerships in alternate energy and other Hawaii-suited R & D to leverage defense efforts into private economic diversification.

UH. Continue and enhance the University of Hawaii’s longstanding role in defense-related R & D through its applied research lab and otherwise.

Neighbor Islands. Assure that defense community programs and expenditures are distributed equitably beyond Oahu.

Hawaii business. Ensure that Hawaii businesses and products, from construction to energy to agriculture and beyond, are provided full access to defense procurement, to include expansion of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Small/veterans/women/Native Hawaiian businesses. Strengthen federal procurement preference law to assure full participation by Hawaii businesses.

Federal impact aid. Fully and fairly fund federal impact aid programs to ensure that Hawaii public education is compensated for military dependents.

Open door/ showing up/integration. Maintain an open door policy for and spend time with Hawaii’s defense community; support all efforts to develop joint military/civilian advocacy for enhancing Hawaii’s defense presence such as the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

With strong and effective leadership on these and other initiatives, we can assure that Hawai’i’s defense community remains a responsible and sustainable foundation of our national defense and our local economy.

Warm aloha,
Ed Case

— Find out more:
www.edcase.com

MEDIA RELEASE

Democrat Mufi Hannemann reports his campaign for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District has collected more than $538,000 ($526,000 raised and a $12,000 loan from the candidate) since he announced his candidacy on Aug. 30 through Dec. 31.

Overall, 82 percent of the contributions came from in-state, with close to one-half of those in the form of donations of $100 or less.

“The response to our campaign for Congress has been remarkable. Our fund-raising reflects a cross-section of support from throughout Hawaii, from small business owners and labor, diverse professions, and grassroots supporters in every county,” said Hannemann. “Our message of putting people back to work, while protecting vital benefits like Social Security and Medicare continues to resonate with voters.”

Hannemann also has received the endorsement of Hui Ana O Makai, the organization representing the retirees of the Honolulu Police Department.

Co-chairman of the Hui Ana O Makai PAC, Steven T.K. Burke, said, “As a former Councilmember and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Mufi has always strived to make Honolulu and the entire state of Hawaii a better place to live. We fully support his efforts to take this same positive commitment to Washington, D.C. We are asking all of our law enforcement brothers and sisters, both in-service and retirees, as well as their ohana, to back Mufi for Congress.”

Hannemann said, “I’m very grateful to have the support of Hui Ana O Makai. I have always been a strong champion for our men and women in law enforcement, and will continue to support their retirees who have served us so valiantly through the years.”

Hannemann has previously received the endorsements of 14 labor organizations representing more than 60,000 active members and retirees throughout the state.

— Find out more:
mufihannemann.org

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – Former Governor Linda Lingle’s U.S. Senate campaign is continuing to gain momentum with today’s release of her 2011 fourth quarter fundraising numbers, which topped her personal expectations and goal.

An overview of the fourth quarter Federal Election Commission (FEC) campaign report shows that in just 82 days (Oct. 11-Dec. 31, 2011), 1545 individual donors, plus political action committees (PACs) and Partnerships, contributed $1,767,310.42 to the Linda Lingle U.S. Senate campaign, of which nearly 44% was raised from generous supporters in Hawaii.

“I am very grateful for the strong support the community has shown me in the first two and a half months of my campaign for U.S. Senate. Contributors not only have supported me financially, but they have invited me into their homes and businesses to discuss issues important to their families and companies, including the economy and jobs, and Social Security and Medicare,” said Gov. Linda Lingle. “In these difficult economic times, I am honored and humbled to have so many local donors and such a significant amount of contributions from voters across the state,” Gov. Lingle added.

Since announcing her candidacy on October 11, 2011, Gov. Lingle has traveled around the state meeting with residents about her plans to stimulate the economy to spur job creation for our state and country. She has been inspired by the thousands of citizens who have shown their support through grassroots involvement and financial investment in her campaign.

“It is clear that Linda Lingle’s history of working with diverse groups has resonated well with the people of Hawaii,” said Major General (ret.) Bob Lee, campaign manager. “Her positions on key issues are in line with the values of the people of Hawaii. Voters have recognized that Linda Lingle will bring her executive experience and independent, common-sense solutions to the United States Senate and she will always put ‘people first’ above party politics,” Lee added.

A complete fundraising report was filed today with the Federal Elections Commission by the Linda Lingle Senate Committee according to federal campaign regulations.

Press Conference at the Hawaii County building in Hilo. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Attorney Ted Hong held a press conference at the Hawaii County building in Hilo fronting the County Clerk’s office Friday (Jan 20) on behalf of his clients, Patricia Nakamoto and Glen Shikuma, two of the four terminated employees from the Elections Division.

Nakamoto and Shikuma have filed initial claims against the County of Hawaii. The County Charter requires employees file a claim with the County Clerk’s office before they can file their lawsuit in the Circuit Court in Hilo.

Each former employee is claiming damages in the amount $500,000.

The basis for the claims are that the County Clerk falsely accused and made defamatory statements about them as a “pre-text” to fire them, infliction of emotional distress and the unconstitutional withholding of their personal property.

Nakamoto was an exemplary employee with over 25 years of experience in elections. She worked her way up from an entry level, temporary elections clerk to elections program administrator. She had an outstanding personnel record.

Shikuma, was employed for 13 years as a supervisor for six-eight temporary warehouse staff. He also had an exemplary personnel history.

Hong said, “With this filing, we meet the requirements of the County Charter and look forward to proving in Court that this County Clerk and her bosses decided to terminate four good, hardworking County employees based on exaggerated and false charges.The County Clerk abused her position of authority by launching a witch-hunt and hired an investigator who performed a ‘Clouseau-esqe’ investigation. For example, in order to gin up the charges against my client, the investigator actually solicited people to file a charge against my client. I also want to uncover who has been leaking information to the local media in violation of state law. It is unfortunate that the taxpayers of this County have to pay the bill for such reckless and unlawful behavior.”

According to a document handed out by Hong, the County Clerk ignored the following facts:

Alcohol Consumption on County Property

1. People who attended the mahalo party for the temporary Elections workers brought their own alcohol, in their own coolers and drank it in a parking lot NOT owned or leased by the County.

2. No one from the Elections Office asked anyone to bring alcohol to the party.

3. No one from the Elections Office served people alcohol.

4. No alcohol was consumed on County property, including the warehouse.

5. The bottles of beer found in the County warehouse were years old, covered in dust, and left by people who attended the party.

6. The investigator actually cleaned off the bottles before he took pictures of them, to make it look recent.

7. The Kirin bottles found in the warehouse refrigerator were at least two (2) years old, leftover from a Mahalo party and Shikuma forgot to throw them out.

8. The empty beer bottles belonged to Shikuma who was waiting to take them to the redemption center.

9. County Clerks, Council Chairmen and other County officials routinely attended the Mahalo party and at no time told Nakamoto and/or Shikuma to stop the practice.

Running a Private Business from the Warehouse

1. Shikuma closed his business and took his company’s name out of the phone book before he became a County employee.

2. Shikuma used his equipment and tools to print T-shirts, signs and banners for official County business and personnel at NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER.

3. That the silk screens found by the investigator were years old and kept for recycling purposes, so Shikuma could wash out what was on the screen and put in a different stencil.

4. County Clerks, Council Chairmen and other County officials were aware that Shikuma kept his personal equipment and tools at the warehouse and no one asked him to remove it.

5. Shikuma did do some small jobs for friends, who were also former clients on his machines, on his own time and only charged costs and his time. No County equipment was used.

6. These small jobs occurred in June 2006; December of 2007 and January of 2010.

The County of Hawaii leases the far left corner of this building to house the elections division warehouse. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Oliver 'Sonny' Shimaoka

MEDIA RELEASE

Oliver “Sonny” Shimaoka, a long-time Big Island resident, has announced his candidacy for the County Council seat for District 9 (Waimea/Kohala/Waikoloa).

Shimaoka lives in Waimea and is the pastor of New Hope Waimea Christian Fellowship.

He has been involved as a community leader for many years. He presently serves as a chaplain with the Hawaii County Police Department and is member of several community boards both in Kona and Waimea.

Shimaoka is also a U.S. Army veteran and served two tours in Vietnam.

“Over the years I have observed conflict and divisiveness among our council members that in my opinion has been harmful for Hawaii County,” Shimaoka said. “My goal is to encourage collaboration within the County Council that will allow us to focus on the needs of our island and provide positive and effective decisions that benefit our residents.”

Shimaoka said he will seek to meet with residents and community groups to hear their concerns and ideas.

Former Big Island Mayor Larry Tanimoto will serve as Shimaoka’s campaign chairman.

Shimaoka and his wife of 40 years, Sharon, have four children and six grandchildren.

For further information, call Shimaoka at 443-6888 or email sonny@sonnyshimaoka.co….

MEDIA RELEASE

Mufi Hannemann, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, has been endorsed by the Hawaii Construction Alliance at a rally held at the Training Center of the Operating Engineers, Local 3,
in Kapolei.

The Hawaii Construction Alliance is comprised of the Operating Engineers, along with the Hawaii Laborers’ Union, Local 368, Hawaii Masons’ Union, Local #1 and Local #630, and Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters (formerly the Hawaii Carpenters Union).

The unions have a total of more than 15,000 members in the statewide alliance, which represents the four basic crafts of the construction industry: carpentry, heavy equipment, masonry and general labor.

“Hannemann’s extraordinary record in support of organized labor and workers’ rights, economic development and job creation for Hawaii’s families make him the natural choice for us in this crucial congressional election,” said Pane Meatoga, Jr., District Representative for the Operating Engineers.

Meatoga led the Alliance rally that included a large crowd of members from the four unions and their respective leaders.

Peter Ganaban, Business Manager-Secretary Treasurer of the Laborers, cited his strong experience and familiarity with Washington politics as a major qualification for Hannemann.

“He is without question the best prepared candidate running for this office,” Ganaban said. “As Honolulu mayor, at the state level, member of four Presidential administrations and private citizen, Mufi knows his way around D.C.”

Ron Taketa, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Carpenters, reiterated Hannemann’s longstanding commitment to organized labor and the rights of working families everywhere.

“Mufi has always believed that government has an important role not just in protecting safety and fair wages on the job, but to encourage and assist in the creation of those jobs that improve the lives of every American,” he said.

Nolan Moriwaki, Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the Masons’ union, also mentioned Hannemann’s achievements on behalf of the visitor industry as president and CEO of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association, within the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Hawaii Council of Mayors, which he helped establish for the state’s four mayors to work on inter-county issues.

“Voters in Hawaii’s 2nd District have a great opportunity to elect an effective congressman and supporter of Hawaii-born President Barack Obama’s agenda to repair the national economy in the face of relentless Republican opposition,” Moriwaki said.

In remarks before the gathering, Hannemann expressed his deep appreciation for the endorsement and said,” This election will be a referendum on who can provide the experience, ideas and leadership to put people back to work.”

“We need to invest in our public infrastructure, bolster our visitor industry and create opportunities for housing and other construction if we are to reinvigorate our economy. This endorsement demonstrates their confidence in my track record and ability to champion these causes in Congress,” Hannemann said.

— Find out more:

mufihannemann.org/

MEDIA RELEASE

Bob Marx, Democratic candidate for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional district, called for “getting corrupt money out of our political system” in a statement to a group of Hawaii County Democrats.

In the 2010 landmark case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot ban corporations from political spending during elections and reaffirmed that corporations are protected under the First Amendment.

“This ruling allows corporations to spend billions of dollars in political campaigns without any regulation or reporting,” Marx said. “The elite 1% will do whatever it takes to elect politicians with extreme corporate interests, who have anti-labor and anti-people agendas.”

Marx said he believes repeal of Citizens United is critical.

“We see the ramifications of Citizens United today in a Congress that is the worst that money can buy. Do we want to maintain ‘crony capitalism,’ where politics is run by special interest groups that want favors, exemptions, tax credits and subsidies in exchange for their sizable contributions? If so, we take away from the hardworking middle class and feed into Corporate American greed,” he said.

Marx supports the constitutional amendment proposed by U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), which would allow Congress and the states to enact campaign finance reforms.

“Citizens United is a threat to the American democratic process because it allows elections to be about the biggest checkbook rather than the best ideas. Campaign spending and contributions need to be regulated. If elected, I will do everything in my power to get corrupt money out of politics,” Marx said.

In Hawaii, Marx said, corporate interests have a long history of misuse of government power, including the overthrow and imprisonment of Queen Liliuokalani and overthrow of the Native Hawaiian monarchy.

— Find out more:

bobmarxforcongress.com…

MEDIA RELEASE

Greggor Ilagan

Hawaiian Paradise Park resident Greggor Ilagan declared his candidacy for the new District 4 seat representing Puna Makai on the Hawaii County Council to a group of supporters Friday (Jan 13).

Ilagan said, “Puna is comprised of unique individuals and the government has been in the business of putting people in neat little boxes with one size fits all laws. Many of these laws only stifle innovation and personal freedom with minimal public benefit. That has to stop!“

The 25-year-old is a 2004 graduate of Waiakea High School, served six years in the Air National Guard, and is presently an accounting major at Hawaii Community College.

Contact information:
Email: GREGGOR4COUNCIL@GMAIL….
Phone : 808-557-8138
Website: www.facebook.com/gregg…

John Roco spent his 20th wedding anniversary with wife Mei on Maui in June 2011. (Photo courtesy of John Roco)

MEDIA RELEASE

John Roco, a counselor on Oahu, is also a sometime church pianist and cantor for Sunday mass and founder of ‘Saint Damien Advocates’ – a nonprofit defending Catholic works from closure of adoptive and foster care services due to new gay non -discrimination laws (e.g., H.R.1681, ‘Every Child Deserves a Family Act’).

Family values are not given ‘lip service;’ instead, Roco’s website is thoroughly ‘family.’ His son designed the site, took and arranged the photos at ‘homepage,’ and put together a video explaining H.R. 1681.

His daughter, Eileen, is a 2010 Nene award winner and contributes with political cartoons on pertinent issues.

No donations are taken on Roco’s website. It is simply family standing up for conservative family values.

To contact Roco, call (808) 721-9845, email johnroco@gmail.com, or write P.O. Box 11272 Honolulu, HI 96828

— Find out more:
www.johnroco.com

Linda Lingle speaks Thursday, Jan. 12 before a group of small business owners at Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. (Photo courtesy of Lingle for U.S. Senate 2012)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Linda Lingle, former Hawaii governor and current candidate for U.S. Senate, wants to bring balanced representation to Washington, D.C.

Lingle spoke to several dozen business owners at a Thursday luncheon at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, during a series of appearances across the state.

“The hardest part of the job is leaving Hawaii, but I want to bring balance to D.C.,” she said. “I’m excited about the possibilities if we can get some common sense in Washington. I don’t think America’s best days are over by a long shot.”

Lingle, a Republican, is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Daniel Akaka, who is retiring after 22 years.

She countered the arguments she is sure will be made by senior Sen. Daniel Inouye and President Barack Obama, both Democrats.

For example, Inouye will argue if the Republicans gain in the Senate, he will lose the powerful Appropriations Committee chairmanship.

Lingle said the Republicans could win majority in the Senate anyway, which would leave Hawaii without any representation.

“It would be worse to have no-one from the state in the majority party,” she said. “It’s best to have a foot in both camps.”

Obama likely will campaign for the Democratic candidate and urge Hawaii voters to help him get the U.S. back on track.

Lingle said she will fight to keep the two races – Senate and presidential – separate.

The president serves only four year terms, she said, while senators can serve for decades. No incumbent Hawaii senator has ever been defeated, she noted.

Regardless of who wins in November, Lingle said, “this U.S. senator will serve us for a generation. The No. 1 obligation is to the people who sent you to D.C., not the party.”

Lingle has long worked with Inuoye and believes they would make a strong team for Hawaii. She said she has several friends in the Senate, leaders who were governors during her tenure, and has established relationships with Republican leaders.

Lingle said she is used to working both parties, and sits on the Governor’s Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center think tank. As mayor and governor, she has had the opportunity to “go out and do things” that her likely opponents have not.

A top priority would be to make sure tourism and tourism-related issues are addressed. The industry supports 14 million jobs nationwide and accounts for 9.5 percent of the country’s GDP, she said.

“And there is not even a sub-committee on tourism. There used to be, but there isn’t now,” she said. “I’d like to change that.”

Lingle said her time as governor allowed her to establish relationships in many Pacific Rim countries, including China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines. Good relations with those countries are critical to the U.S. not only for tourism and trade, but for national security, she said.

Like the Middle East, the Pacific has the potential to be a military and national security hotspot. For that reason, Lingle said, “PacCom (Pacific Command) must be fully funded and ready.”

Lingle pointed out she has experience in the business arena, as founder/publisher of the Molokai Free Press. Lingle went on to serve two terms as Maui mayor before losing the 1998 governor’s race by 1 percent of the votes.

Lingle won the 2002 governor’s race, campaigning on the slogan ‘Hawaii is open for business” and winning all 51 districts.

Her philosophy was to find a way to make it happen for people who wanted to create jobs, and she said that experience will carry over well in today’s economic climate.

“Government doesn’t create jobs,” she said. “It needs to create an atmosphere to encourage people to take risks and invest.”

Lingle said she has a four-pronged approach to creating jobs and restoring confidence for job creators: tax reform; immigration reform; regulatory reform; and lawsuit reform.

Chunks of the 14,000-page tax code have outlived their usefulness, she said. Loopholes, special interests and exemptions need an overhaul.

Lingle acknowledged the right to sue is important, but would like to see some form of ‘loser pays’ instituted to protect innocent people and prevent frivolous lawsuits.

On immigration, Lingle said she would take the focus off ‘illegal’ and concentrate on ‘legal.’ Noting college students often want to stay in the U.S. after graduation and invest in this country, Lingle said she’d consider “stapling a green card right to that diploma.”

As for regulatory reform, Lingle champions a jobs impact study pre-requisite for any new business regulations.

Many of her ideas for the country mirror the pro-business efforts she made as Hawaii’s governor. “I can’t hide from my record,” she said. “I’m proud of it.”

Lastly, Lingle said she is aware of the huge distance between Hawaii and Washington, and the time difference. She would shift her office hours to be more accessible to residents during regular Hawaii business hours.

Lingle looks likely to be the only viable Republican candidate in the Aug. 11 primary. Democratic candidates include Ed Case and Mazie Hirono.

During her visit to the Big Island, Lingle stopped in Hilo to thank representatives of State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, which last week endorsed her candidacy.

The visit also included visits with numerous businesses, several hotels and a coffee talk in Waimea.

— Find out more:
www.Lingle2012.com
www.bipartisanpolicy.o…

Dominic Yagong and family in their Honokaa home making the announcement together for his candidacy for Mayor. Front row: Councilman Dominic Yagong, wife Hilda, granddaughter Jayda. Back row: Angellee, Jeremy, his mother Virginia, Rylee and Chelsea.

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Dominic Yagong has announced his intention to run for mayor in this year’s election.

Mayor Billy Kenoi, 43, is nearing the end of his first term and although he has not announced his plans, he is widely expected to run for re-election. Also, former mayor Harry Kim, 72, perviously has said he may jump into the race, but has made no formal announcement.

Yagong, who first was elected to the council in 1996 and has served a total of six terms on the council, said he consulted with his family and close friends before making the decision.

“We made the decision to pull the trigger just recently,” he said, Saturday morning at his family home in Honokaa.

He said he had been considering a second run for the mayor’s seat for about two years. At that time, the council and the mayor was struggling with the budget severely impacted by the economic downturn.

That coincided with a council shuffle that ended Yagong’s time as Finance Committee chairman.

Yagong, 52, noted that during his 12 years on the council he has served as chairman of ‘just about every committee’ and currently is the council chairman.

He served on the County Council from 1996-2002, where he served as chairman of the Public Works and Parks Committee and chairman of the Environmental Management Committee.

In 2004, he was unsuccessful in an attempt to unseat incumbent Mayor Harry Kim. He announced his candidacy just eight weeks before the primary and had limited funding at his disposal.

He returned to the County Council in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2010.

During Saturday’s announcement, Yagong also said he was grateful for the support of his family and North Hawaii constituents.

As mayor, Yagong said he will look to steer the county in a different direction, specifically mentioning that he would seek public-private partnership to supplement county programs

“When you take a look at where we are, we’re going through probably the most difficult economic times that we’ve ever gone through,” he said. “I truly believe that right now in history of Hawaii County, I believe I’m the right man at the right time and in order for us to move in the direction that we need to go that we do need to have a change in leadership.”

He noted that taxpayers are not happy with the way state and federal governments are being run and that Hawaii County needs to look for reforms and transparency to restore faith in government

“We’re going to have to stop doing the things they way we’ve always done it,” he said. “We’re kind of stuck in a rut and we need to get out of that. You need to have someone who is willing to go against the grain.”

Yagong said he will bring an independent spirit to the county’s top spot.

“I have a lot of institutional knowledge. I bring a very independent view to how things need to be done,” he said. “My experience on county council brings a very good thing to the table. Certainly there is no book that tells you how to do it.”

He pointed to the expense of operating county government and union contracts.

“We as a county are unionized. We’ve got to have courage and the guts to stand up and try to make things to a point where we make decisions that will benefit the people. That fortitude is not easy,” he said. “That also means being able to represent the taxpayer at the collective bargaining table.”

Yagong said his campaign will be driven by island residents.

“I really want to make this a grassroots campaign,” he said.

According to the latest campaign finance reports, which date to July 1, Kenoi had a balance of $33,525, while Yagong had nothing. The next state Campaign Spending Commission deadline is Jan. 31.

Yagong currently is employed by Food Pantry Ltd. as district manager overseeing 12 business operations in Oceanview, Pahoa, Waikoloa, South Kohala, and North and South Kona. He plans to resign to concentrate on his campaign.

A Big Island sports enthusiast, he is known as the “Voice of the Honokaa Dragons” broadcasting sporting events for more than 20 years.

Born and raised in Honokaa, he still lives in the town with wife Hilda, children Chelsea, Jeremy, Rylee and Angellee and granddaughter, Jada.

The primary election is Aug. 11, 2012. The candidate filing filing period runs Wednesday, Feb. 1 through Tuesday, June 5.

— Find out more

teamyagong.com/

Ed Case, U.S. Senate candidate, issued the following statement Wednesday, Jan. 11:

To consider my United States Senate candidacy, you need to know what I’ve done and what I will do.

Here’s a summary of my record as your Congressman from 2002 to 2007: www.edcase.com/images/…

There is much more, and I welcome your questions on any issue.

I’ll also be laying out my Senate agenda on the critical issues of our generation. Here’s my first, on our most important single challenge -
“My Agenda: Growing Our Economy.”

My top priority as U. S. Senator will be to grow our economy and create good jobs for Americans today and over the next generation.

Ten Principles. I will be guided by these 10 principles:

1. Our private sector must lead the way, with our government providing a stable partner base

2. A strong private sector assures not only jobs but the revenues to fund core government functions

3. We can compete effectively with the rest of the world if we make the right decisions

4. Our challenges are all interrelated; when we make the right decisions on our national budget, health care, education or foreign policy, we help our economy, and vice versa

5. We must engage with the world rather than put up barriers

6. We can best grow Hawaii’s economy by growing our national economy

7. We must also continue to focus for Hawai’i on what we do best at home

8. For Hawaii, we must further identify and foster emerging industries in which we can complete effectively

9. We must focus on small business both nationally and for Hawaii

10. A Senator matters, from forging stable foreign and national policy, to advocating for Hawaii industries, to helping individual businesses with their federal concerns

The Four Ts. My national agenda will focus around these four areas:

1. Tax reform. The best tax codes are broad (they spread the burden), fair (nobody is unfairly excluded), stable (decisions can be made) and direct sound public policy. Our federal tax code is none of these: it’s a relic of a bygone world, riddled with credits and deductions and special interest provisions, impossible to plan around and out of synch with wise national policy choices. It must be reviewed top down, side to side and overhauled

2. Technology. What we do best is invent and innovate, and where we can best do that over the next generation is in technology, from information to services to products, in current industries and emerging ones for Hawaii especially such as sustainable energy and health care

3. Trade. Our world is increasingly connected economically, socially and politically. Barriers against the free flow of goods, services and ideas across national borders must be removed with fair international standards on labor rights, environmental protections and other items

4. Talent. An educated, skilled and flexible workforce will be indispensable to continuing our leadership role in a rapidly changing world economy and to providing good jobs. We must invest in both education geared to the job opportunities of our future economy and to retraining workers displaced by inevitable economic changes

Fifteen Specifics. As examples, my agenda will include these 15 specifics:

1. Taxes – Reform the federal tax code

2. Technology – Make the research and development tax credit permanent

3. Trade – Implement further fair trade agreements especially with Asia including the Trans-Pacific Partnership

4. Talent – Strengthen future jobs-focused education and worker retraining efforts

5. Regulations – Improve federal regulatory impact review requirements

6. Flexible workplace – Expand/strengthen home office deduction

7. Infrastructure – Create national infrastructure bank to focus and fund full upgrade

8. Tourism – Ease travel restrictions for overseas tourists especially China

9. Pacific center – Support Asia/Pacific-focused institutions like the East-West Center and pursue further APEC-style international conferences

10. Defense – Support presence and needs of defense community in Hawaii

11. Construction – Improve access for Hawaii businesses to federal contracts

12. Agriculture – Remove barriers to product exports

13. Green energy – Implement national renewable energy standards and facilitate export of Hawaii-specific sustainable energy knowhow

14. Education – Promote Hawaii as education destination for foreign students

15. Health care – Promote Hawaii as health care destination especially to Asia

With strong and effective leadership on these and other initiatives, we can absolutely revitalize our economy and assure goods jobs for ourselves and our children.

I also discussed ‘Strong Effective Leadership in Business and Government” in my speech Wednesday, Jan. 11 to Smart Business Hawaii. Whether in a Hawaii small business or on Capitol Hill, it’s all about being honest about challenges, innovative and flexible in solutions, persevering in accomplishing goals and able to make the necessary decisions.

Mahalo for your consideration, and I look forward to your own thoughts.

Warm aloha,
Ed Case

—

The full remarks by Ed Case at the Smart Business Hawaii Annual Conference in Honolulu:

Fellow members of Smart Business Hawaii, good morning and aloha! I join you this morning wearing two hats.

One is as a 30 year lawyer and businessperson who has advised businesses through all manner of challenge, who has run both of my law businesses, and who knows firsthand what it’s like to balance a budget, make payroll, pay excessive and confusing taxes and deal with burdensome government.

The other is as a candidate for the critical position of your United States Senator, following years of service focused on helping small businesses as your U. S. Congressman and Hawaii Representative. A candidate who believes deeply that Congress is not providing us with strong effective leadership.

Very few elected officials in our Hawaii and no other candidate in this critical race has lived and worked in these two very different worlds. No other candidate in this election has walked routinely through the “Valley of Death,” as I always call it, the route between the worlds of business and government where neither has a clue about the other.

Yet this yawning chasm must be bridged. Because all in this room would agree that growing our economy and preserving and creating good jobs for all Americans must be our top priority. And all of us would agree that our government is too often the obstacle rather than part of the solution.

We cannot simply pretend that government doesn’t exist and opt out; it has grown too intrusive and impersonal. And we cannot simply assume that government will get it and fix things on its own; the majority of us, especially including small business, are not on DC’s inside-the-Beltway radar screen, and DC is paralyzed by a crippling inability to face and solve the nation’s challenges.

So what to do? Let me give you my own good news up front: as bad as it is, and though it will likely get worse this year, it is not destined to continue. That is our choice, and it starts with the folks we send to DC to represent us.

Send folks who are supported by the way things are in DC, who live and die by that culture, and we’ll get more of the same. Send folks who understand your world and your challenges, and who are committed to a different way, and we can grow a critical mass inside the halls of Congress that can alter our country’s course.

It starts with an agenda, for, as we all know from our own business experiences, to get anywhere you have to start. I have an agenda for growing our economy, which I’ve handed out. Let me summarize my four main points:

1. To truly grow our economy, we must not only focus in on specific business initiatives but squarely face all of our other challenges, especially balancing our federal budget

2. Both nationally and locally, we should focus on the Four Ts of tax reform, technology, trade and talent in the workplace

3. For Hawaii, we should focus not only on our bread and butter industries like tourism but promising new export industries like green energy, health care and education

4. We must focus always on the engine of growth, small business

But an agenda doesn’t mean much unless it can be accomplished. And today’s Washington is the obstacle, so the question is how to accomplish an agenda for truly growing our economy.

Here the lessons of the world of business in which we all live and work are all over the place. It comes down always to strong effective leadership. That matters in both government and business: both thrive when they are led decisively and effectively, and both flounder when they are not.

Let’s break it down. First, strong. Strong does not mean dictatorial. But it does mean honest, as in acknowledging our challenges rather than denying them, and then charting a course and persevering through to a goal.

I entered Congress in 2003 when our national debt was about $6 trillion. It was obvious we were on a completely unsustainable path and, as a member of the U. S. House Committee on the Budget, I sounded the alarm with a few others and advocated for the sort of bipartisan processes and solutions now actively forwarded.

We were met with a wall of denial; today national debt has exceeded $15.2 trillion. Would that our federal government been strong then, we would not be in this puka today.

Effective. We all know from our business lives that we look for every opportunity, every way, every idea to get things done. We all know that businesses whose cultures are rigid, who live in stovepiped worlds, who do things because they’ve always been done that way, seize up and fail.

Why should our federal government be any different? And yet DC lives and works in at least three stovepiped worlds: (1) the world of inside the beltway special interests versus the rest of us; (2) the world of insurmountable partisan division; and (3) the world of government versus business.

In the real world of business, success is about breaking down barriers, about reaching across differences, about forging partnership, about compromise where possible and reasonable. Why should government be any different?

But the most important ingredient is leadership, and that’s about making the decision.

We know from our business lives that there comes a time to make the call and move forward. We know that business owners who stall at the moment of decision fail. We all know that if decisions aren’t made as they become ripe, they fester, accumulate and overwhelm.

This is our current path in Washington. I liken it to a busy air traffic controller; you have to land the planes. Today we have the planes of tax reform, budget reform, Social Security reform, immigration reform, and so many other challenges, which have not benefited from strong effective leadership in Congress, all stacked up there, but the controllers are unable or unwilling to land them.

None of this, of course, can continue. Our country needs strong effective leadership, and that means change. Our business community has the experience, the lessons, the ability, to provide the example. All that is missing is your involvement.

The decision you make on who will be your next U. S. Senator will be as critical a vote as you will every cast. I ask for your vote in the Democratic primary on August 11th. You have a crystal clear choice of candidates there, and we ask you to think about it carefully.

Mahalo for your consideration. I truly look forward to continuing to work with you and Hawaii’s great business community.

— Find out more:
www.edcase.com

Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Attorney and blogger Margaret Wille has announced she will run for the District 9 County Council seat. That seat currently is held by Pete Hoffmann, who cannot run again due to term limits.

Wille has issued the following statement:

A number of months ago, Councilman Pete Hoffmann called and asked me to stop to discuss some proposed ordinance he was drafting. As the conversation about the ordinance was coming to a close, Pete turned to me and said – I think you should run for my seat on the County Council next year.

Before that I had not considered running for this legislative office. I told him I would give him my answer by the end of the month. And my answer was yes.

Thereafter, the more I thought about being part of the council and working in the area of legislation and policy, the more excited I became.

County Council District 9 as now configured– which basically includes North and South Kohala — is a place of extraordinary potential with extraordinary people. We are a place of great resourcefulness among ourselves.

Here is what I have drafted so far about my candidacy:

District 9 County Council: Seeking office for the benefit of our communities: Hawi, Kapaau, Kawaihae, Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani, Puako, Waikoloa, Waimea, and Waikii

Employment: Attorney practicing land-use law in Waimea (previous employment included part-time teaching at Parker School, consultant for a state Department of Agriculture, and administrator of a statewide volunteer program for the American Bar Association to assist institutionalized adult and youth offenders re-entering society)

Educational background: J.D. Law; Masters Education; B.A. Anthropology

Core values: Pono – balance and rightness; Ike loa – wisdom and knowledge; Aloha Aina – love of the land; and Hoomau – perseverance

Focus as a councilperson will be:

Availability of good jobs and educational opportunities for District 9 residents; need-based and entrepreneurial solutions to crime and social problems; agricultural sufficiency and resiliency; implementation of a 511 traffic alert system; completion of the Kawaihae to Waimea bypass; opportunities for recreation and health; restoration of Pelekane Bay; low cost renewable energy; promote the wisdom and glory of the Hawaiian people and culture.

Vision: Community First! Let me help you make a difference.

Efforts and Accomplishments as an active member of our community:

* Margaret’s proposed redistricting plan (Plan 40) was selected as the final base Plan for the Hawaii County Council Districts. (Margaret drafted this Plan 40 in consultation with community members around the County to challenge the Commission’s previously preferred Plan that was lop-sided in favor of Hilo.)

* Margaret submitted various amendments to the County Charter Commission, which as adopted by the Charter Commission, were approved by the voters in 2008. (The amendments she submitted included the original draft of the voter approved “public trust” Charter amendment. The objective of the “public trust” Charter provision is to protect and preserve Hawaiian cultural sites and practices and environmental natural resources. The Charter Commission also adopted suggestions she made to provide internet notification about government meetings.)

* In a pro bono legal action, Margaret successfully represented Waimea community members to force the County of Hawaii to require Parker Ranch to carry out its obligation to construct the Parker Ranch Connector Road as had been promised in the 1990s. As the result of these legal actions, the Parker Ranch Connector Road (2 phases) was completed in 2008.

* In another pro bono legal action, while co-chair of the Waimea Planning and Design Committee, Margaret in collaboration with Parker School reached a settlement with the County and Parker School in the context of the school’s planned expansion. The additional permit conditions, as now being implemented, provide for increased pedestrian safety, and mitigation of traffic congestion in Waimea in the area of Lindsey and Kapiolani Roads.

* As a member of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee, Margaret recently suggested the construction of a regional transit hub on Lindsey Road extension adjacent to the Waimea Post Office to provide for a multi-modal transit hub and information facility. With the support of Councilman Pete Hoffmann, in December 2011, the County Council unanimously voted in favor of placing this project on the County’s Capital Improvement Project List.

* While participating in a meeting concerning traffic safety at the Waimea public schools, Margaret proposed the original idea of an intra-Waimea shuttle bus service from Lakeland to Kamuela View Estates, which with the help of Parker School representatives, the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee, and Councilmember Pete Hoffmann, this bus service is now a part of our island-wide hele-on service.

* As part of the Parker Ranch Connector Road settlement, with the help of the Trails and Greenways Committee and members of the Kenoi administration, Margaret negotiated for additional easement land to be given by Parker Ranch to the County at no cost for the Waimea Trails and Greenways project –so that the trail would not be fenced up against residential lots.

* While a director on the Waimea Community Association Board of Directors, with the help of innumerable participants from federal, state and county agencies as well as many non-government entities and individuals, Margaret facilitated a community meeting on Emergency Preparedness and Resiliency.

* As co-chair of the Conservation Subcommittee of the Community Development Plan Committee, Margaret, along with Bob Hunter and other Waimea residents, successfully lead the effort to remove the one-acre zoning across the face of Waimea’s Hokuula puu.

* While participating in a community meeting addressing issues relating to the proposed County agricultural plan, Margaret organized the participants in an effort to draft and lobby in support of county legislation to address the frightening problem of the little red ant invasive species spreading across the island. With the help of Councilman Pete Hoffmann, the resulting County Council resolution passed 9-0.

* As a member of the South Kohala Community Development Plan Steering Committee, Margaret drafted many provisions that are now part of that Plan enacted into law in 2008, such as on issues relating to increasing higher education opportunities in South Kohala and increasing the authority of the SKCDP action committee.

* Over the past decade, Margaret has testified many times at County and State legislative and board hearings on issues affecting the welfare of our communities and has often informed affected community constituencies about important issues so that others could participate and make an impact on the government decision-making process.

Contact information:

Email: margaretwille@mac.com
Phone: 887-1419
Address: Friends to Elect Margaret Wille
P.O. Box 528
Kamuela, HI 96743
Website: www.margaretwille.com

The following announcement was made Tuesday, Jan. 10 by Fred Housel:

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the outcome of the State Reapportionment Plan.

One thing that is certain is West Hawaii deserves strong representation on the Hawaii State House.

I am announcing my intention to file to be a candidate for House District 6 in the State House of Representatives.

One caveat: This could possibly change pending the final Reapportionment outcome.

If I become a candidate for office, then it will be necessary for me to step back from being president of Community Enterprises, although I will remain a member.

Sherry Eischen, Boardmember, has graciously stepped forward to lead Community Enterprises, which hosts the monthly Kona Town Meeting program.

Fred Housel Resume

* Education: BS, Chemistry, University of Nebraska; Subsequent college: Electronic Engineering Design courses

* Career: Computer and network design and manufacturing in San Jose’s “Silicon Valley” for 25 years

* Current: After retiring from Cisco Systems, founded (with wife, Barbara) Kiele O Kona Coffee Co, growing, processing, roasting and marketing 100% Kona coffee grown on our farm

* Community Service:

President and Board Member (2006 – present) of Community
Enterprises, a 501c3, nonprofit, non-partisan corporation
produces monthly Kona Town Meetings on topics important to the
West Hawaii community

Chairman and Commissioner of the Hawaii County Leeward, Planning Commission, 2008 – 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Joined by the board of directors of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO), President Tenari Maafala announced Monday that Hawaii’s police officers’ union is endorsing former Gov. Linda Lingle in her bid for Hawaii’s open U.S. Senate seat.

“Governor Lingle has always had our police officers in her heart, and she advocated for us in every leadership position she has held – from Maui’s Mayor to Hawaii’s Governor. We know she will represent Hawaii’s police officers and our brethren across the country well when we elect her to serve in Washington, D.C.,” Maafala said. “This is not just an endorsement. It is a full-on commitment from us to play a major role in Gov. Lingle’s campaign for the next 10 months.”

“Having the backing and support of ‘Hawaii’s Finest’ has been a true honor for me since SHOPO’s first endorsement of my campaigns in 2002. As Governor, my top priority for the state was the safety of the public. I could always count on our outstanding uniformed officers, who put their lives on the line every single day, to share the same commitment to keeping all the people of Hawaii safe. The SHOPO members and their families have always been, and will continue to be, part of my extended ohana. I am extremely humbled by today’s endorsement, and will always honor the faith SHOPO has shown in me by putting Hawaii’s ‘people first’,” said Governor Linda Lingle.

SHOPO previously endorsed Lingle in her gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and her re-election campaign in 2006.

To personally express her appreciation to the union members for their support, Lingle will travel across the state this week to visit with police officers at all of the SHOPO chapters including Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai.

SHOPO was formed in 1971 and is an independent, non-affiliated union for police officers, and is the only law enforcement union in the state.

— Find out more:
www.lingle2012.com