Blank votes and name recognition were the themes of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs races this Primary Election. Ten candidates are still in the running for five seats on the OHA Board of Trustees. HPR Reporter Ku?uwehi Hiraishi has this story.
If there was a race Hawai?i voters did not vote in this Primary Election, it would be that of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. More than half a million blank votes were tallied in OHA races this past Saturday – more than any other race on the ballot.
For those who did vote, it was all about familiar names. Annelle Amaral is President of the Association of Hawaiian Civil Clubs.
“You know the top vote getters are still incumbents,” says Amaral, “So there will still be continuity but maybe we’ll get some young blood in there too. That’ll be good.”
Much of the campaign rhetoric this season revolved around restoring trust to the state agency, whose mission is to provide for the betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians. That’s why Amaral says she was shocked to see OHA Trustees John Waihe?e IV, Lei Ahu Isa, and Rowena Akana with the most votes in the race for OHA’s three At-Large seats.
“I was surprised and everyone else that we talked to was surprised,” says William Ail?, Jr.
Ail?, deputy director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, a recognizable political figure himself came in fourth in the At-Large race.
“What it shows is you know all of us candidates need to do a better job of getting the message out,” says Ail?.
The top six vote getters in the At-Large race go on to the General. That includes Ail?, former state legislator Faye Hanohano, Hawaiian Civil Club leader Brendon Kalei??ina Lee and the three incumbents.
In the O?ahu Trustee race, Kalei Akaka, granddaugther of the late Senator Daniel Akaka, suprised everyone by finishing on top with 15.7 percent of the votes.
“Because of the name recognition and legacy of Senator Akaka, I was not surprised,” says veteran government official Esther Kia??ina.
Kia??ina finised second, trailing Akaka by a little more than 5,000 votes.
“Name recognition is important but I think the fact that we fared well in the Primary Election reveals to me that our message of change for OHA has been received,” says Kia??ina.
Kia??ina and Akaka will face off in the General Election. Also on the ballot in November will be taro farmer and community leader Ke?eaumoku Kapu who looks to unseat Maui trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey.
