State of Hawaii Archives: on Principles & Values
Bob McDermott:
Faith in God part of moral crucible forming political views
Representative McDermott is a conservative who stopped an objectional sexual lifestyles program designed for 10-year-olds; this program violated parental rights and was medically inaccurate. McDermott believes his work history, military service,
family life and faith in God is the moral crucible which forms his political views. Mrs. McDermott serves as a Catholic Chaplain. She uses her training and her Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology to provide aid and comfort to those who are need.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Senate campaign website VoteMcDermott.com
Mar 17, 2022
Brian Schatz:
Endorsed by progressive group "Democracy for America"
Democracy for America, the liberal group founded by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, is endorsing Sen. Brian Schatz in his primary against Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Schatz is the first Senate candidate the organization has endorsed this election cycle--and
the second incumbent, as they're also backing Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) in his primary against Democrat Ro Khanna. Democracy for America is latest national liberal group to back him in the race, which could help Schatz shore up his claim that he's the
more liberal candidate in the race."Senator Brian Schatz isn't just a reliable vote for progressives in Washington, D.C., he takes it a step further and organizes other Senators to join him. Whether it's fighting on the front lines against climate
change, defending a woman's right to choose, or expanding Social Security, Brian Schatz has proven he's a true progressive leader," Democracy for America's Executive Director says.
Source: The Hill magazine: AdWatch on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Feb 18, 2014
Cam Cavasso:
Running because Inouye opposed Federal Marriage amendment
Q: Why are you running for office? A: Daniel Inouye’s vote against the Federal Marriage amendment establishing marriage between one man and one woman as our Constitutional Law sparked this run. I have served in leadership in High School (Kailua)
in the Hawaii House of Representatives, the U.S. Army, Boy Scouts, Church, Canoe Clubs and in business finance and in family. It is time to serve again.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald Election Guide Questions
Aug 22, 2004
Cam Cavasso:
Judeo-Christian values established our government framework
Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.
Cavasso: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Cavasso: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Colleen Hanabusa:
OpEd: Too old to build seniority to steer pork to Hawaii
The Democratic primary battle is not a clash over ideology. Rather, the divide is personal. In Hanabusa's candidacy, what remains of Sen. Inouye's mostly Japanese-American political machine is fighting for supremacy against a younger and whiter
progressive wing that is trying to become Hawaii's new ruling class.A new path is what Abercrombie had in mind when he picked Schatz, saying, "It had everything to do with the future and the past." The governor said he thought Hanabusa, now 62,
was too old to build enough seniority in the Senate to continue Inouye's legacy of steering an outsize allowance of federal money to Hawaii. Abercrombie noted: "Brian Schatz is 41. Colleen isn't. She's in her 60s."
Hanabusa said Abercrombie's focus
on her age is "rather offensive." Hanabusa sounded angry and at times bitter that Abercrombie passed her over for Schatz. "It's like saying to the voters, 'Here's somebody who's going to be there forever.' No one should feel that level of entitlement."
Source: Washington Post on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Jan 1, 2014
Colleen Hanabusa:
Lost campaigns in 2003 & 2006 before winning in 2010
If At First You Don't Succeed... The CQ Roll Call members database reveals that 18 members of the 113th Congress mounted multiple unsuccessful campaigns before finally winning a seat.AMONG TWO-TIME LOSERS:- Rep. Steve Stockman, R-TX, elected in
1994, lost primary in 1990, general election in 1992.
- Sen. Tom Udall, D-NM, elected to the House in 1998, lost primary in 1982, general election in 1988
THREE-TIME LOSERS:- Rep. Paul Broun, R-GA, elected in 2006, lost general election in
1990, primary in 1992, Senate primary in 1996
- Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-HI, elected in 2010, lost primary in 2006, special elections in 2003 and 2010
- Rep. Collin Peterson, D-MN, elected in 1990, lost primaries in 1982 and 1988, general elections in
1984 and 1986.
- Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-VT, elected to the House in 1990, lost general elections for the Senate in 1972 and 1974 and for the House in 1988.
- Rep. Juan Vargas, D-CA, elected in 2012, lost primaries in 1992, 1996 and 2006.
Source: Cong. Quarterly Rollcall mag. on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Mar 20, 2014
Colleen Hanabusa:
Got $75M tax credit for Ko Oilna, and husband got $400,000
Ige went on the offensive in the campaign by challenging Hanabusa on her two-year push for a $75 million state tax credit for development of an aquarium at Ko Olina, alleging the deal demonstrated that she makes decisions "on behalf of self-interest
and special interests."Hanabusa led the drive to get lawmakers to approve the Ko Olina tax credit in 2002 and 2003, but the bill was written so that only developer Jeff Stone could benefit from it. Less than a month after the $75 million tax credit
was approved, Stone sold a luxury Ko Olina townhouse to Hanabusa's then-fiance Souza. One of Stone's companies financed the sale by lending Souza $405,773 for the purchase.
Souza, who is now Hanabusa's husband and campaign chairman, bought the
Kai Lani townhouse for $569,023 in mid-2003 and sold it for $990,000 in Jan. 2004. Hanabusa noted that Stone claimed only $3.45 million of the $75 million tax credit, and said there "has never been any wrongdoing found" in connection with the tax credit.
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser on 2018 Hawaii gubernatorial race
Aug 12, 2018
David Ige:
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness
Last week, we celebrated Martin Luther King Day. He said, "The time is always right to do what's right." In Hawai'i, we have a name for this: pono or righteousness.
An idea so important that it's imprinted on our state seal. Ua Mau ke Ea o ka 'Aina i ka Pono. The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Hawaii legislature
Jan 24, 2022
Duke Aiona:
My Catholic faith is part of my decision making
Q: I want to talk about your faith. You've spoken about how very important this is to you. What would you tell voters about the role of faith in your decision-making and how you would approach that as governor?A: Religion more so is your way of life.
Faith is just your core beliefs and values. For me, it is about my Catholic faith. It's just me. That's how I'm living. I choose to live my life like this.
So, in my decision making, yeah, it's a part of my life because it's part of my foundation principles and values. But, really my decision-making is based on my time and my experience as a judge.
You hear me say it's easier to build strong children than it is to fix broken adults. Because if you had a strong foundation and you had values and morals--and most of us do have that strong foundation.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat Q&A on 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial race
Oct 15, 2010
Duke Aiona:
Hopes to restore system by rebuilding trust, earning respect
Currently, Hawaii's political leadership and structure lacks trust, respect and balance. This imbalance has resulted in criminal charges against those in leadership, corruption, pay-to-play and lack of transparency. There is no civility in our political
systems, and we are losing our moral compass. The spirit of aloha has been diminished in an area where we need it most.I hope to restore that system by rebuilding trust, earning respect and in turn, creating the balance Hawaii needs.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
Eddie Pirkowski:
Judeo-Christian values established our government framework
Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.Pirkowski: Strongly Disagree.
Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Pirkowski: Strongly Agree.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
John Carroll:
Served four terms in Hawaii House; one term in state Senate
Pushing 90 yeas old, Carroll is a long-time resident of Oahu with ties to the Big Island, where he owns a farm in Holualoa and where several of his family members reside in Kona.
The Korean War veteran and former Air Force pilot also served four terms in the Hawaii state House of Representatives, as well as one term in the state Senate.
Source: West Hawaii Today on 2018 Hawaii gubernatorial race
Apr 14, 2018
Josh Green:
Turned over antisemitic signs to state attorney general
Green had been pulling down signs plastered all over his neighborhood with his picture that read "Jew" and "Fraud," and handed them over to the state attorney general. Then one day, someone stopped him on a Waikiki sidewalk. "All you kikes are going to
have to be killed," the man said.Green stood in disbelief. "I hadn't heard that word in a decade," said Green. "But it was a reflection of this guy's rage at me for being both a doctor and a proponent of being vaccinated, and also my Judaism."
Source: The Forward on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 11, 2022
Linda Lingle:
Work with national Republicans to get things done for Hawaii
Hirono launched into a familiar refrain: "My Republican opponent's economic priorities, my Republican opponent's plan is exactly the same as Mitt Romney's," said Hirono. "My Republican opponent has joined with the national Republican party."
Lingle stood her ground: "My opponent has spent this entire campaign attacking national Republicans. These will be the very people we would have to work with to get something done for Hawaii," said Lingle.
Source: KITV coverage of 2012 Hawaii Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012
Mazie Hirono:
OpEd: Missed twice as many votes as average Congress member
The former governor accused the congresswoman of doing little to help the state: "Your entire record of missed votes is twice that of your typical congressional colleague.
How can you look our citizens in the eye and claim that your poor attendance and lack of results reflect the local value of hard work?" asked Lingle."This is yet another misleading attack on the part of my Republican opponent," responded Hirono.
Source: KITV coverage of 2012 Hawaii Senate debate
Oct 17, 2012
Mazie Hirono:
Co-sponsored Do No Harm Act: keep church and state separate
The Do No Harm Act, a bill that's designed to ensure that the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) continues to provide important protections for religious exercise while clarifying that RFRA may not be used to discriminate against or
otherwise harm others, was introduced in the Senate in May. Mazie Hirono co-introduced the legislation.Americans United supports the legislation. AU's President said that "the Do No Harm Act will ensure that we honor two core
American values: religious freedom and the promise of equal protection under the law."
Congress enacted the federal RFRA in 1993 with the goal of protecting religious freedom, especially for religious minorities. At that time, a broad coalition of
progressive & conservative groups supported the law. But since then, the federal RFRA has been misinterpreted by some courts and has become a vehicle for those who want to use religion to undermine protections for civil rights and access to health care.
Source: Church & State Magazine, AU.org, on 2016 Hawaii Senate race
Aug 8, 2018
Neil Abercrombie:
I made best decision appointing Schatz instead of Hanabusa
Abercrombie defended his decision to appoint Brian Schatz to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who had asked that Rep. Colleen Hanabusa succeed him."Many have said after so many years of dedicated service to the people of Hawaii,
how can a simple request be ignored?" asked Ige.
"It only makes sense that for him to say what he would like to see done, but in the end he realized and indicated directly to me that as governor, I had to make the best decision," said Abercrombie.
Source: Hawaii News Now on 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial debate
Jul 9, 2014
Ron Curtis:
Principles of campaign are liberty and limited government
Core campaign principles: - Liberty: "Freedom to pursue inherent American guarantees of Life and the Pursuit of Happiness.
- Limited government: "Government exists to protect our inalienable rights, to defend our sovereignty and borders, and to
provide infrastructure for the common good." Based on the Constitution, the government that governs least, governs best. Government should not perform functions which are better and less expensively performed by individuals or private organizations.
Source: 2018 Hawaii Senate campaign website RonCurtis808.com
Aug 8, 2018
Vicky Cayetano:
No problem too great that we can't overcome together
[On her personal history]: "I am not a career politician," said Vicky Cayetano. "I am an entrepreneur and a businessperson who is shaped by my belief
that there is no problem too great that we can't overcome together. No problem too small that does not need to be heard, and no solution that could not be found if we are determined to find it and we are committed to act upon it."
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 30, 2021
Brian Schatz:
Democracy is still threatened one year after Jan. 6th
Senator Brian Schatz commemorated the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the continued threats to American democracy. "A year ago, there was an attempted overthrow of American democracy right here in this building. We came perilously close to
losing everything that night. Police officers were maimed and killed. Custodial workers and Senate staffers were hiding, with zero protection," said Senator Schatz. "One year later, and I'm even more worried now. Donald Trump is now defining fealty to
him by one thing and one thing only--are you willing to install him into power regardless of the vote count? And so now every Republican politician and election official have to promise to put Trump above democracy itself. And they are doing it!"
Schatz continued, "If we take a moment and we realize what's at stake, we will realize what is required. It will require citizens to understand that democracy in this country is not what we have, it is what we do, and it is never, ever guaranteed."
Source: Senate press release on 2022 Hawaii Senate race
Jan 4, 2022
Josh Green:
Important to bring us together as one ohana, one family
Hawai'i is one 'ohana--one family--and this is one of our most important values and greatest strengths. This will be one of my most important responsibilities as governor--to bring people together,
unite us as one 'ohana, and always remind us that we are stronger together and we can accomplish anything when we share a common purpose.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Hawaii legislature
Jan 23, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023