06-15-2008, 05:18 AM
I agree with Scott that accomplishments should count for more in whom we elect than family connections, ethnicity, or how long someone has lived here. There are people who have lived here all their lives who know nothing about the nuts and bolts issues that have a critical impact on our quality of life. There are others who are relatively recent arrivals who have taken the trouble to not only learn what those issues are, but go out and do something about them without waiting for the good old boy (and girl) politicians to talk story for years and then reinforce the status quo.
Ms. Hanohano has the support of the government employee unions, in one of which she holds an office. Between that and her family connections, she won the Democratic primary in the last election. In Puna, that usually means a cakewalk to the legislature. Once she obtained the nomination, she dropped out of sight, attending only a few candidate forums and not giving a clear indication of what she would do if elected. Once in office, she made her "poi initiative" the centerpiece of her first term. I am not aware of any other legislation she has passed, or even introduced.
Puna political blogger Hunter Bishop made some negative comments about Ms. Hanohano's lack of a platform and refusal to attend forums during the last campain, but could not bring himself to endorse her opponent because Hunter is also a union official. (It seems that Hunter's personal history of union activism outtrumphs his sharp political instincts and grasp of Puna's needs and history of neglect. Other than this particular instance, I have tremendous respect for Hunter's take on local politics.)
So I would challenge Ms. Hanohano and her supporters to do what Scott suggested and name five things, or even three, that she has accomplished that will move Puna in a forward direction.
Cheers,
Jerry
Ms. Hanohano has the support of the government employee unions, in one of which she holds an office. Between that and her family connections, she won the Democratic primary in the last election. In Puna, that usually means a cakewalk to the legislature. Once she obtained the nomination, she dropped out of sight, attending only a few candidate forums and not giving a clear indication of what she would do if elected. Once in office, she made her "poi initiative" the centerpiece of her first term. I am not aware of any other legislation she has passed, or even introduced.
Puna political blogger Hunter Bishop made some negative comments about Ms. Hanohano's lack of a platform and refusal to attend forums during the last campain, but could not bring himself to endorse her opponent because Hunter is also a union official. (It seems that Hunter's personal history of union activism outtrumphs his sharp political instincts and grasp of Puna's needs and history of neglect. Other than this particular instance, I have tremendous respect for Hunter's take on local politics.)
So I would challenge Ms. Hanohano and her supporters to do what Scott suggested and name five things, or even three, that she has accomplished that will move Puna in a forward direction.
Cheers,
Jerry