Lt. Gov. Hirono visits Kaua’i to organize local campaign

Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono visited Kaua’i Thursday to help organize her new-born run for the governor’s seat.

Just about a week ago Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris shocked Hawai’i’s Democratic Party by walking away from the governor’s race. Prior to the announcement Hirono, who is also a Democrat, was set to run for Harris’ job once he had resigned his post.

Now she is quickly retooling her campaign, working hard on O’ahu, and on the Neighbor Islands, to put together a more broad-based organization.

With just three months to go before the primary election set for September, Hirono is getting up to speed on Kaua’i rather quickly.

She said she is hopeful of victory in the fall, but winning will take widespread “grass roots” support based on the support she’s received on O’ahu as she was ramping up her mayoral campaign.

“This election is going to be won through grass roots organizing,” Hirono said. “We’re all in the same boat in the terms of the need to do that.”

Taking a leading organizational role on Kaua’i for Hirono is Kalaheo resident Steven Nishimura, who said he’ll be heading up a team of long-time Democrats and newcomers to the party, all who support her run for governor. The Hirono campaign is now looking for an office in Lihu’e, and will have a campaign headquarters here in the near future, he said.

“Mazie is a very open person, and welcoming to everybody that wants to participate,” Nishimura said.

During her visit Thursday Hirono met with supporters, made a breakfast time visit to the Tip Top Cafe and attended a luncheon at the Hanamaulu Cafe.

“I always had a neighbor island network, even while I was running for mayor,” she said in an interview with The Garden Island. “They would contact Honolulu neighbors and friends. We’re very quickly now mobilizing, getting more people on board.”

Hirono said she’ll be gathering advice from her neighbor island coordinators, a group that includes local business people and supporters involved with the community.

She said her 22 years of experience in the Legislature and executive branch of state government brings her a wide base of support across the state and a wealth of experience in government.

Key neighbor island-focused issues for Hirono include easing traffic congestion, improving transportation and roads, addressing overriding issues that affect the economy of all the neighbor islands, and improving schools and supporting education.

She said economic development is key to Hawai’i’s future, and needs to be supported by a good education system.

“I’m running on my record and commitment to expanding the economy, improving the education system, and working with all of our neighbor island communities, so people who live on the neighbor islands have the tools and the support to have vibrant economies,” she said.

Hirono pointed to her past work on consumer issues, like allowing prescription drug pool buying to help seniors, and her support of teachers.

Innovative legislation is also her forte, she said, citing the creation of pre-schools on public school campuses that are run by private-sector teachers.

Hirono said she will be back on Kaua’i frequently during the upcoming summertime election season.