11-07-2012, 11:03 AM
One memorable example was back in 2000. Steve Hirakami was running against Gary Safarik for Puna council. As of midnight on election night Hirakami was leading by a chunk. Steve H. got tired and went home. Everyone was wondering why the ballots from HPP hadn't arrived. It eventually took over eight hours for those ballots to make their way from HPP to Hilo. Miraculously the next morning Steve Hiakami lost and Gary Safarik won.
In those days the council was not nonpartisan. Steve Hirakami was Green party and Gary Safarik was Democrat. Hilo did not want a Green Party council member.
As for the current mess.... I think that there is enough evidence of misdeed for everyone to be curious about how those primary precincts failed to be supplied to open in time. Jamae Kawauchi did not physically cause those apparent errors. I think it was union payback, nothing more.
In those days the council was not nonpartisan. Steve Hirakami was Green party and Gary Safarik was Democrat. Hilo did not want a Green Party council member.
As for the current mess.... I think that there is enough evidence of misdeed for everyone to be curious about how those primary precincts failed to be supplied to open in time. Jamae Kawauchi did not physically cause those apparent errors. I think it was union payback, nothing more.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Punaweb moderator