The Republican Party of Hawaii has known for years that its mission — to rebuild its political presence — would be a long-term project.
There have been a few forays down that road, but none have improved the party’s standing. It’s been a story of continuing losses. Seven years ago, a Republican governor had finished a second term in office; now it’s a shrinking minority in the state Capitol, holding no seats in the Senate and only five in the House.
The latest blow was the departure of state Rep. Beth Fukumoto (R, Mililani-Mililani Mauka-Waipio Acres) from the GOP. Finding herself at odds with her party on national issues, she was ousted as House minority leader and then decided to leave altogether.
Into this rather dismal picture has stepped Shirlene Ostrov, newly elected to chair the isle party. There’s some encouragement to take from Ostrov, who seems as determined to take on the challenge as Fukumoto was dispirited by what was admittedly a rocky road.
Having a more diverse political scene should be taken as good news by all Hawaii residents, regardless of party affiliation. Hawaii has become an all but one-party political environment, and it’s just not a fertile ground for productive debate or new ideas for public policy.
The state needs more individuals with distinct perspectives to enter the political conversation, holding power but not beholden to the entrenched leadership of the majority party. Long-term incumbency means public servants who worry too little about service to the electorate. A lackluster legislative scorecard, such as the one lawmakers earned this year, can be the result.
Ostrov, born and raised in Hawaii, is a retired Air Force colonel; leadership experience is a plus, even given her lack of elected office. She did run for the U.S. House seat that was won by Colleen Hanabusa in November.
Her challenger for the GOP chair was state Rep. Andria Tupola, who as minority leader now holds the highest elected office amid Hawaii Republicans. Ostrov will need to work with such more experienced leaders, although being untethered to legislative duties may be a logistical advantage in the chairmanship, which will require a great deal of focus.
Republicans in Hawaii — like the Democrats in GOP strongholds across the mainland — will need to become a big-tent party if they hope to gain more ground. While many Republicans here are socially and fiscally conservative, the party could appeal to more independent voters where alignment is possible.
That’s been the practice of a veteran GOP legislator, Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kailua-Kaneohe). Her attention to environmental issues, for example, has appeal to voters with more progressive leanings. Thielen ascribes to the party’s more traditional values of fiscal conservatism and limited government, but can find common ground with others on some social issues.
Ostrov, in an op-ed appearing in these pages May 4, seems headed in that direction, too.
“The Hawaii Republican Party is not just the party of no, nor are we simply the party of tax cuts. I believe we’re the party of aloha and ohana,” she wrote. “We are the party that wants to see every resident thrive so they can build their business, family and community without excessive government interference. That’s the future we see for Hawaii.”
In recent years, voters have lost longstanding political moorings. The major parties drifted from the grass-roots electorate; the swing of traditional Democrats toward Donald Trump illustrated that. It’s evident here in the islands’ appallingly low voter turnout. Surely a more vibrant political scene could help revive public engagement.
At the very least, politics could become more relevant if true debate is re-established, and the voters begin to believe politicians are actually listening to them again.
