06/02/2002 Archived Entry: "HI GOV"
This article, Mazie Hirono: Our First Female APA Governor? is from a year ago, but is actually more applicable today, with the Hawaii Democratic convention happening. Harris dropped out, saying because of the polls, and Hirono, the Lt. Gov. who had earlier stepped aside for Harris, decided to run for Mayor instead... and now they've switched rolls again, Hirono back in race for governor.
Now the race is between Lingle and Hirono, here's a document with good bio's on the two candidates. Hirono still has a primary challenge against Anderson and Case in September. Anderson has a better shot against Hirono, if he can get the Union support.
Senator Inyou's convention speech made the Democrats wish he was running for Governor.
Replies: 8 comments
Good articles, Mydd. I look forward (hopefully) to a Hirono-Lingle matchup, which will produce a female governor in Hawaii for the first time. Hooray for progress!
Posted by Mr. Liberal @ 06/02/2002 08:51 AM PST
I think in the end, Asians end up voting for the Asian candidate...they will come home as they did in 1998. For GOP to win in Hawaii they need an Asian candidate. There used to be one..I think her name was Saiki, but I am not sure.
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/02/2002 04:32 PM PST
Lingle is an oxymoron as far as a Republican goes, being Maui's mayor, of course, shes liberal on social matters, and her background with union support gives her a much needed boost in the state, as 24% of all workers there are in a Union.
The division in HI between the Dems and the GOP comes down to business interests over the publics interests, and of course, we know which way the media sides on this issue.
It's a race up in the air right now. Anderson might be able to win the nomination, but that's iffy, depending on who Harris backs (if anyone) and the unions. If it remains splintered, then Hirono is likely to win the nomination. I do think she negates the female advantage of Lingle, but what about the union support that Lingle has... interesting dynamics.
Posted by myDD @ 06/03/2002 09:07 AM PST
Hawaiians and Asians in Hawaii are their version of southern whites to some extent, although they did not perpetuate any discrimination against other groups as whites have done over the history in the south., slavery, Jim Crow etc. But, ethnicity in Hawaii is more important. I know people (actually women) of Asian origin in Hawaii who would never vote for any white candidate over Asians. Only place in the world where Asians do not have a white bias or think that the whites might be better than them. Take it from me, I am of Asian origin too.
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/03/2002 05:31 PM PST
I know that is there, I lived for about 6 months as a "Haole" beachbum in Hawaii, and got to experience the prejudice firsthand. It was subtle though, and not anything like the racism that brews in the south here. Without a doubt, self-determination will be an issue this election.
Posted by myDD @ 06/04/2002 08:33 AM PST
What do you mean by self-determination? Hawaii for the Polynesians or Hawaii for the non-whites? The former would not go anywhere, but the latter might. I for one believe that all the possessions should become US states (especially Puerto Rico). It would be a good counterweight against the violent kind of anti-non-white racism that is part of the history in the southern US.
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/04/2002 09:36 AM PST
It's the latter, for which there is a push for on Hawaii. Puerto Rico and DC would both be welcomed additional states.
Posted by myDD @ 06/05/2002 12:22 AM PST
Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands and American Samoa should all become states, and Hawaii should remain one and not try to become a commonwealth. They have to look at the big picture...US is very powerful, and larger numbers mean larger say. That is exactly how certain lobbies, ethnic and otherwise become powerful.
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/05/2002 08:02 AM PST
