Finally, the day we’ve all been waiting for — Election Day 2016, and what a wild, exciting, frightening and ultimately exhausting season it has been. And here’s a timely reality check: This is not reality TV.
Wednesday’s dawn will bring a newly elected leader of our United States — elite among the world’s most powerful people — in either Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump. The early, heady suspenses of Clinton vs. Bernie Sanders, and Trump vs. various GOP frontrunners, are long behind us.
This has unfolded into a raw campaign high in divisive rhetoric and ugly revelations, but low on substantive strategies to propel the nation. In the end, though, Clinton’s sober grasp of world workings, knowledge and longtime advocacy for causes aligned with Hawaii’s interests make her the solid choice.
Also at stake nationwide is control of the U.S. Congress. Republicans currently control both houses, with a 54-46 majority in the Senate and a 247-188 majority in the House of Representatives. Today will determine one-third of the Senate’s 100 seats and all 435 House seats.
Hawaii voters get to weigh in on the president’s race, of course, as well as on three congressional seats. Local contested races include Honolulu mayor; nine state Senate seats, seven of them on Oahu; 31 state House seats, 18 of them on Oahu; three Office of Hawaiian Affairs seats; three Honolulu City Council seats; and slots on the neighbor island county councils. Also open are prosecutor for Honolulu, Kauai and Hawaii counties.
Last but not least, a slew of amendments are proposed: two to the Hawaii Constitution, and 20 to the Honolulu City Charter.
In late October, the Star-Advertiser’s editorial board offered a week’s worth of election endorsements, in most of Oahu’s contested races and ballot questions. It’s an election-season exercise most daily newspapers undertake in their opinion section: weighing endorsements based on candidates’ resumes, positions on key issue, fitness to serve. Simply, as a community contributor, we care about the well-being of our public government and policies.
So, agree or disagree — but if you haven’t already, get out and vote today. This is your right as an American, your privilege as a citizen of the free world.
A recap of the Star-Advertiser’s picks:
President and vice president
Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine
U.S. Senate
Brian Schatz
U.S. House
District 1: Colleen Hanabusa (both special and general elections)
District 2: Tulsi Gabbard
Honolulu mayor
Kirk Caldwell
City Council
>> District 5: Ann Kobayashi
>> District 7: Joey Manahan
>> District 9: Ron Menor
City prosecutor
Keith Kaneshiro
State Senate
>> District 9: Sam Slom
>> District 10: Les Ihara
>> District 11: Brian Taniguchi
>> District 13: Karl Rhoads
>> District 15: Glenn Wakai
>> District 19: Will Espero
>> District 25: Laura Thielen
State House
>> District 17: Gene Ward
>> District 19: Bertrand Kobayashi
>> District 20: Calvin Say
>> District 22: Kathryn Henski
>> District 24: Della Au Belatti
>> District 28: John Mizuno
>> District 29: Daniel Holt
>> District 31: Aaron Ling Johanson
>> District 34: Gregg Takayama
>> District 35: Roy Takumi
>> District 36: Marilyn B. Lee
>> District 37: Ryan Yamane
>> District 40: Bob McDermott
>> District 41: Matt LoPresti
>> District 43: Andria Tupola
>> District 44: Cedric Gates
>> District 46: Marcus Oshiro
>> District 47: Feki Pouha
State Constitution amendments
No. 1: Increase civil jury trial threshold: Yes
No. 2: Add surplus option for pension/debt service: Yes
City Charter amendments
No. 1: Police commission: Yes
No. 2: Ethics Commission: Yes
No. 3: City Prosecutor: Yes
No. 4: Public transportation: Yes
No. 5: Affordable Housing Fund: Yes
No. 6: Long-term city planning: Yes
No. 7: Create an office of climate change: No
No. 8: Create department of land management: No
No. 9: Honolulu Zoo: Yes
No. 10: Budget authority: Yes
No. 11: Clean Water Natural Lands Fund: Yes
No. 12: Boards, commissions: Yes
No. 13: Grants in aid: Yes
No. 14: Special elections: Yes
No. 15: Term limits: No
No. 16: Infrastructure design: Yes
No. 17: Document signing: Yes
No. 18: Fire Commission: Yes
No. 19: Reapportionment Commission: No
No. 20: Public records: Yes
