From Nuuanu to downtown to Aiea, these state House districts comprise the bulk of Oahu’s most-established, working-class residential communities. The Aiea-Halawa district is without an incumbent with Mark Takai running for Congress; Kakaako commands attention with its redevelopment push-and-pull; and a highly competitive race in Liliha-Nuuanu rivets.
Here are the Star-Advertiser’s endorsements for contested races in House Districts 25-33 (other districts are covered throughout this week):
» 25th District (Punchbowl-Pauoa-Nuuanu): As chairwoman of the powerful Finance Committee, Democrat Sylvia Luke has displayed deft handling over the complexities of the state budget. She brings an air of fiscal responsibility and orderliness to the process, and showed dignified leadership in co-presiding over the special public hearing on marriage equality. Luke should be allowed to continue serving her district, over Republican rival Ronald Y.K. Lam.
» 26th District (Downtown-Kakaako-McCully): Scott K. Saiki, Democratic majority leader, has stepped up on behalf of constituents and the general public in advocating proper, circumspect development for Kakaako. The attorney and veteran lawmaker, first elected in 1994, has emerged as a key voice against overdeveloping the restricted Kakaako Makai area with high-rise residences; and in advocating more public safeguards for the Hawaii Community Development Authority, the appointed board that oversees Kakaako projects. Also, Saiki and cohorts’ alliance with GOP House members, which enabled the current leadership structure, promotes inclusivity. He faces Republican Eric Marshall, a credit union IT/compliance officer.
» 27th District (Nuuanu-Liliha-Alewa Heights): Takashi Ohno, the Democratic freshman lawmaker, faces a spirited challenge from Republican Max R. Fowler, who was motivated to run by the same-sex marriage debate. Both have a high interest in education issues: Ohno is a former elementary school teacher while Fowler is a pastor, part-time teacher and involved on his children’s public-school council. Ohno has done a solid job securing funds and support on behalf of his district’s schools and seniors, and has voted to pass measures such as the minimum-wage increase and marriage equality. We’d like to see what more he can accomplish.
»28th District (Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley): Vice Speaker John M. Mizuno, a Democrat, has effectively represented this district since 2008, striving to improve education and social services there and statewide. Although his bill promoting a "Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights" was counterproductive (and deservedly died last session), we applaud Mizuno’s overall effort to balance competing community interests. He supports a constitutional amendment to expand preschool access in Hawaii; favors privatizing the foundering state hospital system if it saves taxpayers’ money; sees room to further restrict development in Kakaako; and wants to audit the behemoth Department of Education. Mizuno faces Republican Carole K. Kaapu, a neighborhood board member whose Pure Rain Productions provides media services to faith-based organizations overseas.
»31st District (Fort Shafter-Moanalua Gardens-Aliamanu): Republican Aaron Ling Johanson is among the GOP’s brightest prospects in a Democrat-dominated state that needs a vibrant, multiparty system. A product of Moanalua’s public schools who went on to earn a degree from Yale University, Johanson’s common-sense approach is welcome in the House, to which he was first elected in 2010. He’s risen to be minority leader, is Finance vice chairman and sits on the Labor and Public Employment and Legislative Management committees. Focused on lowering Hawaii’s cost of living, he advocates broad-based state income tax relief for senior citizens, low-income individuals, the middle class and small businesses. Challenger Lei Sharsh, a Democrat, is a behavioral health specialist for the Department of Education who advocates stricter laws against sex offenders.
» 32nd District (Salt Lake-Moanalua Valley): Democrat Linda E. Ichiyama is plugged into the concerns of her constituents and is highly engaged in statewide issues. As Higher Education vice chairwoman, she’s worked to bring transparency and accountability to the University of Hawaii’s budget. An attorney and active member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, she helps advance causes especially relevant to women and families. She promotes the Civil Citation Initiative, a promising pilot project designed to prevent at-risk young people from entering the criminal justice system. Easing Hawaii’s income-tax burden for working-class families is also a high priority. Her challenger is Republican Marcia Ann R. Tagavilla, a caregiver at her family’s adult residential care home who also serves on the neighborhood board.
» 33rd District (Halawa-Aiea-Newtown): Democrat Sam Kong gets our nod in this no-incumbent district, which encompasses much of the bustling west Honolulu area. Kong has long been active in the Aiea Community Association, monitoring local development, and has business experience running Aiea Florist and now Sam’s Cab. He competed for this seat twice before as a Republican, but still upholds the values and goals he had then, which makes it something of a win-win for Republicans, should he prevail over Republican Robert C. Helsham Sr., the athletics director at Christian Academy and a minister. Beyond neighborhood concerns, Kong pledged to make an issue of state special funds, in the interests of transparency and simplicity.
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THURSDAY: State House Districts 34-42
