Reapportionment gives voters way to remake House

In state House Districts 41 to 51, voters in six districts from Windward Oahu to the Leeward Coast have contested primary races, and the issue of transportation looms large. In two other districts, incumbents face no opposition — Ken Ito in the 49th (D-Kaneohe, Maunawili) and Cynthia Thielen in the 50th (R-Kailua, Kaneohe) — so will return; in three other districts, there are no contested races until November’s general election.

While policies to help the economic recovery will continue to be an important issue, traffic congestion remains a key concern. This election is complicated by reapportionment, leaving some districts without an incumbent and others in which present House members face each other.

Here are the Star-Advertiser’s endorsements in these areas’ contested primaries:

» District 41 (Ewa Beach-Ewa): Incumbent Rida Cabanilla Arakawa is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Matt LoPresti, a faculty member at Hawaii Pacific University who has been active in civic affairs at Ewa Beach. LoPresti, who emphasizes job creation and environment protection, resigned last December from the Ewa Neighborhood Board after serving for a year, calling it "dysfunctional." The top issues for Arakawa, the House Housing chairwoman, are traffic congestion reduction and repair and enlargement of area schools. Arakawa, though, has scantly distinguished herself in the Legislature, and the booming area might benefit by LoPresti’s forcefulness. The winner will face Republican Adam Reeder, a House analyst since his arrival in Hawaii in 2009.

» 43rd District (Kalaeloa-Ko Olina-Maili): Democrat Karen Awana is seeking her fourth term in the House, where she is chairwoman of the Economic Development Committee and vice- chairwoman of the Transportation Committee. Her opponents for the party’s nomination are Hanalei Y. Aipoalani, 33, manager at Olelo Community Media; Cynthia Rezentes, 60, former legislative aide; and Leslie McKeague-Gomes, a college student. Awana is diligent and engaged with her community so should remain the Democrats’ choice. Republican primary opponents are Realtor Glenn Butler, 60, and Tercia Ku, 54, a state Health Department employee. Ku has worked in the Legislature, and her experience and leadership in health policy is compelling.

» 44th District (Waianae-Makaha-Makua): Democrat Georgette "Jo" Jordan was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in January 2011 to represent the district, filling the job vacated by Maile Shimabukuro, whom he appointed to the district’s Senate seat. Jordan is challenged by Johnnie-Mae Perry, 59, a public school teacher. Jordan, 50, was a member of the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board for 10 years and has given priority to legislation benefiting the coast. She deserves the nomination to face Republican Creighton Higa in November.

» 45th District (Mililani-Schofield-Kunia): Small business owner Jake Bradshaw and retiree Ollie Lunasco face each other in the Democratic race; the winner will face Republican Lauren Cheape, Miss Hawaii 2011. Bradshaw, 31, regards environmental regulations as a major issue in the district. Lunasco, 70, served 10 years in the House and was chairman of the Human Services Committee, and is focused on the handling of former farm lands and finding markets for exporting crops. Lunasco’s legislative experience and deep community roots make him the preferable Democrat to represent the district.

» 47th District (Waialua-Kahuku-Waiahole): Single-term incumbent Gil Riviere faces paralegal Richard Fale, 31, in the Republican primary. Riviere, 52, a mortgage loan officer, had served four years on the North Shore Neighborhood Board and has been president of Keep the North Shore Country. He was elected to the Legislature two years ago and is focused on highway infrastructure. Riviere should be chosen to face off against Democrat D. Ululani Beirne, a frequent candidate for the seat.

» 48th District (Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Kaneohe): Four-term Democratic Rep. Pono Chong faces a contest in the Windward primary election by Rep. Jessica Wooley. Chong has represented the 49th district since 2004 but reapportionment places both of them in the 48th district, where Wooley has been the representative since 2008. Chong, 41, says he has been involved in supporting the economic recovery, serving as vice speaker and majority whip in the House before being elevated to majority leader in this year’s session. Wooley, 43, is chairwoman of the Culture and Arts Committee and says she has focused on responding to longstanding community concerns. Chong is the steadier hand here, and success in Democratic leadership should result in his return to the House, as no Republican is vying in this district.