District 6 Fontaine (R), but now that
★ HAWAII STATE ★
Incumbent J. Kalani English (D) is a respected public he’s gotten his feet wet on
CONSTITUTION QUESTIONS
figure who appears to genuinely care about the people Oahu, we’re challenging
he serves and seems destined to win in a landslide. His Bertram to step up his
Shall the age qualification for the office
opponent, John Blumer-Buell, is running the classic game over the next two
of governor and lieutenant governor be
independent “issue campaign”; years and fight for some of
he’s in the race to keep the issues, like greenways,
reduced from thirty years of age to twen-
English honest and to pro- that he touted when first
ty-five years of age?
mote environmental causes. running for office.
We applaud Blumer-Buell Proponents point out that 25-year-olds can serve in the
for his effort and are ideo- Maui Time Weekly military and go to war or serve in the United States
logically in line with him. endorses Joe Bertram III Congress. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to seek
But we feel English has Hawaii’s highest office? Groups like Youth Outreach!
done enough in his legisla- Hawaii have also argued that lowering the minimum age
tive career to earn our con- would foster more civic involvement among young peo-
tinued support. District 12 ple. We agree with both points; this change seems like it
After winning a close race with Summer Starr in the could only enhance, not harm, the political process.
Maui Time Weekly primary, incumbent Kyle Yamashita (D) faces
endorses J. Kalani English Republican Mickey Verra. During his time in office, Maui Time Weekly recommends a vote of “yes”
Yamashita has made a number of decisions that seem at
odds with the needs and desires of the people he serves,
including squashing SB 1789, a bill designed to protect
Shall there be a convention to propose a
★ STATE HOUSE ★ community access stations like Akaku that got unani-
revision of or amendments to the constitu-
mous approval in the Senate and was widely popular on
Maui. Much of Yamashita’s campaign cash also comes
tion?
District 9 from big business interests outside his district. We can- Con Con supporters—mostly Republicans plus a few dis-
From the outset of the campaign, there were con- not in good conscience endorse either candidate. illusioned Democrats—say our state’s governing docu-
cerns over the health of incumbent Bob Nakasone (D), ment is broken, or at least corrupted by amendments,
who is battling cancer. Though he decided to run, those Maui Time Weekly and needs to be fixed. We’re not arguing the Constitution
concerns have not abated. We don’t support withholds its endorsement is perfect, but with the state facing a projected $900 mil-
Nakasone’s opponent, Republican Henry Kahula, but lion deficit over the next two years, staging a Con Con at
we also have serious reservations about Nakasone’s an estimated cost of $10-$40 million seems like a fiscally
ability to serve out his term if elected. Which begs the irresponsible move (making the fact that it’s supported
question: if he’s forced to step down, who would be ★ U.S. HOUSE ★ by so many so-called “conservatives” rather ironic). Also,
appointed to replace him? While we wish Nakasone there is legitimate concern that a convention could turn
good health, we are withholding our endorsement. into a special interest free-for-all, with various groups
2nd Congressional District lobbying for pet causes without an eye on the big picture.
Maui Time Weekly Incumbent Mazie Hirono (D), former Lieutenant In the end, the potential rewards don’t outweigh the cost
withholds its endorsement Governor of Hawaii and 2002 gubernatorial candidate, or the risks. The time may come when it’s a good idea to
faces three challengers: Republican Roger Evans, hold another Con Con (the last one was 30 years ago). But
Libertarian Lloyd J. Mallan and Green Party candidate that time isn’t now.
Shaun Stenshol. While we appreciate
District 10 the environmental awareness Maui Time Weekly recommends a vote of “no”
Incumbent Angus McKelvey (D) is facing a challenge Stenshol brings to the table
from political newcomer Ramon Madden (R). In a recent and hope his voice will
phone interview, Madden, who works in the hospitality influence Hirono’s plat-
industry and calls himself a “new kind of Republican,” form, we don’t feel any
told us he got involved in politics because he felt the core of these candidates rep-
values of the party were being undermined. We admire resent a significant
his enthusiasm, but feel that enough upgrade to
he isn’t ready to serve at the warrant a changing of
state level. There are con- the guard. VOTE!
cerns that McKelvey may
be aligning himself with Maui Time Weekly
MAUI VOTES ‘08
old guard pro-develop- endorses Mazie Hirono Election Day is
ment Democrats like Joe
Tuesday, November 4
Souki, but we think he
deserves another term to For polling place
prove himself.
locations and other
Maui Time Weekly Note: District 8 Representative Joe
information, visit
endorses Angus McKelvey Souki (D) won the primary and is
running unopposed in the general
www.hawaii.gov/
election.
elections or call
District 11
(800) 442-VOTE
Like McKelvey, we hope incumbent Joe Bertram III
(D) can grow into the office if given another term. We
think he’s a better choice than challenger George
16 OCTOBER 30, 2008 MAUI TIME WEEKLY
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