Oahu voters have 24 House districts this election in which their votes will make a difference. There are 35 House districts on the island overall, but the winners in 11 of them were determined in the primary.
The races we focus on today comprise eight of the House districts still contested (the others will be covered in the next two days). They include some of Oahu’s wealthiest neighborhoods and some of its poorest, some of its most stately neighborhoods and some of its most ramshackle retail and industrial areas, as well as the bustling center of the state’s tourism industry, Waikiki, and its financial center, downtown Honolulu. Legislators from these districts often have a big say in Oahu and state policies.
A case in point would be current House Speaker Calvin Say from District 20 (Palolo, St. Louis Heights, Kaimuki). Not strictly conservative, the Democrat nevertheless has been key in stopping various unwise efforts to raise taxes or boost spending. A businessman as well, Say has served in the House since 1976, including as chairman of numerous committees, so he’s well positioned to help both the state and his district. Say’s opponents — Republican Julia Allen, a businesswoman, and Green Party member Keiko Bonk, who served on the Hawaii County Council for four years — have their strengths, but Say deserves reelection.
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Our picks on key races
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As for other districts:
» District 18 (Hahaione Valley, Aina Haina, Kahala): Independent businessman and Democrat Mark Hashem is the freshman incumbent, but Republican Jeremy Low, a research analyst, also has political experience as an aide to various Republican legislators. Low is clear about where he stands on leading issues, which is refreshing and welcome. Low deserves a chance to serve, boosting thoughtful GOP representation in the House.
» District 19 (Diamond Head, Kaimuki, Kapahulu): There is no incumbent here, but Democratic candidate Bertrand Kobayashi was a state representative and senator for 16 years, from 1978 to 1994 and has a firm grasp of most of the topics facing voters today. He is preferable to Republican Darrell Young, whose extremely low-profile campaign casts doubt on his readiness for prime time.
» District 22 (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako): Incumbent Tom Brower is our choice here. The Democrat’s opponent, Republican Marcus Hester, a pastor, is concerned mainly about casino gambling, which he vows to keep out of Waikiki. Brower is more nuanced: As House Tourism chairman, he deferred a bill last session to create a casino in Waikiki, but is open to the idea as a way to generate jobs and taxes, should it gain more community support. On other issues, Brower has worked effectively for his district and the state.
» District 23 (Manoa, Punahou, Moiliili): Another incumbent who deserves re-election is Democrat Isaac Choy. First elected in 2008, he is active in the community and has a professional accounting background that has served him well dealing with issues such as tax policy and the state’s unfunded liabilities. He is, in fact, a past chairman of the state’s Tax Review Commission. His district includes lush Manoa, so naturally he is concerned about managing growth and, of course, the invasive coqui frogs. His opponent, Republican Zach Thomson, an independent film producer has admirable passion, but Choy’s relevant experience makes him our choice.
» District 24 (Makiki, Tantalus, Papakolea, Moiliili): Incumbent Della Au Belatti, a Democrat, is our pick over Republican Isaiah Sabey, a teacher. Au Belatti is one of the brighter lights in the House, with an impressive background as an attorney, former Senate majority researcher and Campaign Spending Commission member. She is strong on women, family and Native Hawaiian issues, is against the Public Land Development Corp. and supports early education and same-sex marriage.
» District 26 (Downtown, Kakaako, McCully): Democrat incumbent Scott Saiki deserves re-election over opponent Tiffany Au. An attorney first elected in 1994, Saiki opposes the PLDC, raising the GET and financial incentives for favored industries. He has been keeping an eye on the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which oversees Kakaako redevelopment. Republican Au, the reigning Narcissus queen and public relations director for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, has been making an earnest case for her candidacy, but Saiki’s depth of experience gets our nod.
» District 27 (Nuuanu, Liliha, Alewa Heights): Our vote here is for incumbent Corinne Ching, a Republican and former educator first elected in 2002. Both Ching and Democratic challenger Takashi Ohno, a school teacher, are earnest and thoughtful, but Ching’s valuable legislative experience and community service give her the edge.
