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| Rep. Bob Herkes with his wife Joanna and mascot nene goose. Photo by David Howard Donald |
REP. BOB HERKES has raised the most money among candidates in the race for Hawai`i State Senate’s new District 2 seat, which encompasses Ka`u from Punalu`u through Volcano and into Puna. The primary election is Aug. 11.
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| Russell Ruderman Photo by David Howard Donald |
According to campaign spending reports released last week, Herkes took in $21,900 the first six months of this year. His largest donors, each giving $2,000, are HI Carpenters PAC and Michael Matsumoto, an engineer with SSFM International, Inc.
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| Gary Safarik and his wife Debbie. |
Honolulu lobbyists John Radcliffe and G. A. Morris each gave $1,000. Also providing $1,000 is the health insurer HMSA PAC. Among the 24 individuals and entities each giving $500 to the Herkes campaign during the first half of 2012 are Young Bros, University of Hawai`i Professional Assembly, Tesoro Hawai`i-Non-candidate Committee, Hawaiian Telecom Good Government Club, Hawai`i Association of Realtors, Hawai`i Auto Dealer Election Committee, Hawai`i Funeral Industry PAC and HEMIC, the Hawai`i employers insurance company.
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| Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a Photo by David Howard Donald |
Nearly half of donations to the Herkes campaign were given by individual contributors. The majority of the contributions of $100 and more came from Honolulu-based entities and residents, with a few from the mainland, one from Maui, one from Kaua`i and one from Hilo.
Democratic primary opponent Russell Ruderman raised $4,526 from individuals and $892 from PACs and business entities. Contributions included $700 from Pat Leo, of Pahoa; $500 from Pat Kenneally, of San Francisco; $450 from Kalani Honua Retreat; $312.50 from Volcano Garden Arts; and $250 from Bob Marx, who is running for U.S. Congress.
State Senate Democratic opponents Gary Safarik and Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a reported no contributions. The lone Republican, Daryl Lee Smith, raised $2,176 from businesses and individuals.
Democratic primary opponent Russell Ruderman raised $4,526 from individuals and $892 from PACs and business entities. Contributions included $700 from Pat Leo, of Pahoa; $500 from Pat Kenneally, of San Francisco; $450 from Kalani Honua Retreat; $312.50 from Volcano Garden Arts; and $250 from Bob Marx, who is running for U.S. Congress.
State Senate Democratic opponents Gary Safarik and Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a reported no contributions. The lone Republican, Daryl Lee Smith, raised $2,176 from businesses and individuals.
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| Ed Case and his wife Audrey at a recent Big Island rally. Photo by Julia Neal |
ED CASE AND MAZIE HIRONO are ranked on being liberal by the National Journal. The publication gave Case a liberal rating of 59.8 when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Ka`u and other rural areas in the state of Hawai`i. The National Journal’s most recent liberal ratings rank Congresswoman Hirono at 90.7 percent.
The story in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser by Derek DePledge covers Case’s effort to win the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Dan Akaka. The story focuses on Case’s centrist beliefs and the notion that he can bring people together to solve problems. ‘”Case said both political parties now seem to insist on ‘a purity of thought and action,’” reports DePledge.
DePledge quotes Case: “If you live at the partisan extremes, the philosophical extremes, you can stand up and give great speeches, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be part of the solution.
“You cannot simply ram a distinctly minority viewpoint down the throats of the rest of the country and expect to solve our country’s problems…. And that’s exactly what’s going on. And that’s what’s wrong with Washington.”
The story is one in a three-part series in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, with Hirono’s story tomorrow and Republican challenger Linda Lingle’s on Wednesday. See them at www.staradvertiser.com.
DePledge quotes Case: “If you live at the partisan extremes, the philosophical extremes, you can stand up and give great speeches, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be part of the solution.
“You cannot simply ram a distinctly minority viewpoint down the throats of the rest of the country and expect to solve our country’s problems…. And that’s exactly what’s going on. And that’s what’s wrong with Washington.”
The story is one in a three-part series in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, with Hirono’s story tomorrow and Republican challenger Linda Lingle’s on Wednesday. See them at www.staradvertiser.com.
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| New Zealand will soon be added to Hawaiian Airlines route map. |
THE LAND OF THE MAORI is the latest destination for Hawaiian Airlines to bring the rest of the world to Hawai`i. Hawaiian yesterday announced new non-stop flights between Honolulu and Auckland starting March 13, 2013. Hawaiian is becoming one of the fastest growing airlines on the planet, with many new destinations in the last two years, including Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka and Sapporo, as well as Seoul and Brisbane. Direct New York flights were added this summer.
Regarding the connection with New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines reports that its economy is strong and the market underserved. Tourism to Hawai`i from New Zealand increased by 15.4 percent last year and is up 5.1 percent from January through May, according to Hawai`i Tourism Authority. New Zealanders spent some $38 million in Hawai`i last year.
DANIEL IS A DOWNER for anyone expecting relief from drought in Ka`u. The former hurricane brought some high surf but little precipitation when it passed south of South Point. Former Hurricane Emilia is expected to draw a similar path, becoming but a remnant when she passes south of Ka`u later this week. Hurricane Fabio has taken a turn north off of Mexico and is expected to quickly weaken as he is driven away from a track toward Hawai`i, says the National Weather Service.
DANIEL IS A DOWNER for anyone expecting relief from drought in Ka`u. The former hurricane brought some high surf but little precipitation when it passed south of South Point. Former Hurricane Emilia is expected to draw a similar path, becoming but a remnant when she passes south of Ka`u later this week. Hurricane Fabio has taken a turn north off of Mexico and is expected to quickly weaken as he is driven away from a track toward Hawai`i, says the National Weather Service.
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| Wes Awana |
ANOTHER BRUSH FIRE STARTED last night near Makanau along the cane haul road and burned trees on a nearby pu`u. Phil Becker, of Aikane Plantation, reports that the fire is out except for hot spots that firefighters are watching. Crews pumped water overnight from Pahala water hydrants and also kept close watch over the ravine between Hwy 11 and Pahala Transfer Station where brush and rubbish burned.
KA`U COMMUNITY CHORUS rehearses tonight and every Monday at Discovery Harbour Community Hall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Contact Ka`u School of the Arts at 929-7544.
WES AWANA TEACHES Intermediate `Ukulele for students who have a basic knowledge of chords and strums each Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Classes are $40 per month. Kanikapila Jam Sessions that are open to all musicians follow the classes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Donations are appreciated. Call 967-8222 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
WES AWANA TEACHES Intermediate `Ukulele for students who have a basic knowledge of chords and strums each Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Classes are $40 per month. Kanikapila Jam Sessions that are open to all musicians follow the classes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Donations are appreciated. Call 967-8222 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.
