Hooser handily defeats Kusaka

Incumbent Sen. Gary Hooser last night beat Republican challenger Maryanne Kusaka, a former two-term Kaua‘i mayor, in spite of strong support from Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.

Lingle and Lt. Gov. James R. “Duke” Aiona campaigned on Kaua‘i Sunday for Kusaka and the Republican election slate at a roadside signwaving session at Waipouli. By the second election print-out, Hooser, a Democrat seeking a second term, led Kusaka by a margin of 16,167 votes to 8,197 votes with all votes cast from 21 precincts for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Kaua‘i has long been a stronghold of the Hawaii Democratic Party, and a victory by Hooser repulsed efforts by Hawai‘i Republican Party to broaden its influence on an island with a Republican mayor, Bryan Baptiste.

With victory under his belt, Hooser can continue to advance the party line and strategies for Kaua‘i on issues like traffic, housing and the war on drugs.

“It (his victory) means people from Kaua‘i have given me overwhelming support,” Hooser, a Wailua Homesteads resident, said at a victory party held at his campaign headquarters on Kuhio Highway in Lihu‘e.

He said “negative campaigning” used by some Republicans didn’t work and doesn’t work on Kaua‘i.

“It shows that people want to see positive issue-based campaigning,” Hooser said. “Mina (House Rep. Morita, who beat Republican challenger Mamo Cummings in the 14 House District race) kept to positive campaigning.”

Hooser said his campaign focused on his achievements, including securing funds for Kaua‘i’s first ever substance center for youths and his call to protect open space.

Hooser said his support left him humbled. “The number one feeling I have is the feeling of gratitude to the Kaua‘i people for their support,” Hooser said.

Among those who attended his celebration party was Lynn McCrory, a member of the Kaua‘i Water Board and a former Kaua‘i representative on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

If enthusiasm was high at Hooser’s campaign headquarters, it plummeted for many at Kusaka’s Mahalo party held at the Kukui Grove Pavilion.

Kusaka, a popular former mayor, was surprised when she heard the first election results showing her behind. Supporters almost fell silent.

Hooser and Kusaka had opposing philosophical views.

For one, Hooser differed with Kusaka on the use of “walk and talk anti-crime” programs.

Although used in many other states, the program is not used in Hawai‘i. The strategy allows law enforcement officers to question suspicious folks to gather information to thwart crimes.

Hooser said abuses of such programs could result in an erosion of civil liberties. Kusaka said such programs are needed to intercept the transfer of drugs at state airports, including the Lihu‘e Airport, and at island harbors.

During the campaign, Hooser said his achievements in office would play a major role in determining whether he would return to the Senate or not.

Hooser and Kauai’s legislative team supported Act. 51, the education reform act.

He also pushed through appropriation funds totaling about $560,000 for Kaua‘i’s first-ever substance abuse recovery center for island youths.

The project calls for the renovation of the old Kauai Humane Society building in Hanapepe. Kaua‘i County officials must put up matching funds before the project can get off the ground.

Hooser also lobbied and pushed through legislation to protect agricultural lands and public access, and to fight the war against crime and the spreading use of crystal methamphetamine.

Hooser has said he wants to bring the power of the Senate to bear on a major problem facing Kaua‘i today – the lack of affordable housing.

He would support the use of state lands for such projects, as a way to create more housing to enable local residents to remain on Kaua‘i and not to have to move off the island to find housing.

Hooser won the endorsements of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, U.S. House Rep. Daniel Akaka, the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the Kaua‘i chapter of the State of Hawaii Organization.