GOP Hawaii Elects County Leaders

Yesterday's GOP Hawaii Oahu County Convention saw no major shake-up in leadership. Most of the county officials backed by the Lingle administration were swept to victory after polling was done by about 220+ delegates.

Coming on top for GOP Hawaii County Chair for Oahu was Malia Gray. She was backed by Governor Linda Lingle and many supporters. She beat Dan Douglass for the seat who was supported by delegates wanting to move the party back to its conservative base.

Several county and regional seats were also filled at yesterday's convention. They include the following:

• Adrienne King, Vice-Chair for East Oahu
• Chris Wong, Vice-Chair for West Honolulu
• Justin Menolascino, Vice-Chair for Central Oahu
• Suk Moses, Vice Chair for Leeward Oahu
• Eliza Talbot, Vice Chair for Windward Oahu
• Chico Figueiredo, Honolulu County Treasurer
• Nadine Nishioka, Honolulu County Secretary

OBSERVATIONS

More than 220 delegates cast votes. There were at least 250 to 275 people at the crowded Kawananakoa Elementary School cafeteria. Parking was very scarce for anyone who came after 8:00 a.m.

Early voting started before the formal meeting began or candidates nominated. All nominations were made during the floor session. The Dan Douglass camp is now looking into the process of early voting and whether or not any rules were violated.

It would seem voting should have started after all nominations were made and closed.

It was also noted that the credentials committee report was not ready until sometime after 10 a.m. The credentials committee is supposed to verify delegates and alternates present before voting starts. Voting was well underway when the report was verified.

Ballots were collected in 3 cardboard boxes. Ballots were pre-printed for most races.

Governor Lingle made a speech about taxes and how she opposed "any tax increase" this legislative session. Well said but not entirely true. At the beginning of the session the Governor introduced a bill (SB 985) that will increase the vehicle weight tax, registration tax, fuel tax and car rental surcharge tax. That bill was copied to a Democrat sponsored one (SB 1611) which made it out of the Senate and awaits action in the House.

The main issue dividing the Hawaii GOP is the Akaka Bill. Conservatives oppose the Democrat sponsored and authored Akaka Bill while moderates have supported it. The new county chair is in the camp that supports the Akaka Bill. Governor Lingle supports the Akaka Bill.

There was a new group that I was made aware of. "Conservatives for Change". Sounds promising. I signed up with them and hopefully get more information on what their platform is and who they are.

Finally I shot dozens of photos at the 3-hour convention. They are posted at my Flickr site.

GOP-HAWAII OAHU COUNTY CONVENTION PHOTOS



Photo captions: (Above) - East Honolulu Vice-chair Adrienne King; (Top) County Chair candidates Dan Douglas (left) and Malia Gray (right) kick off the early convention agenda with the Pledge of Allegiance with Tercia Ku (center), convention chair.