HGEA announces endorsements

LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Government Employees Association, the state’s largest labor union, has announced its list of endorsed candidates for the 2012 Primary Election Aug. 11.

“After much deliberation, we have a full slate of candidates we believe can make a positive difference in our state and counties,” State Political Action Committee Chair Jon Gasper said in a press release Wednesday.

“Our political action committees spent many hours conducting interviews with candidates, and studying their backgrounds and positions.”

HGEA is endorsing six candidates for the seven-body Kaua‘i County Council.

HGEA is endorsing four incumbents, Chair Jay Furfaro, KipuKai Kuali‘i, Nadine Nakamura and Mel Rapozo; a former council member, Gary Hooser; and a new challenger, Ross Kagawa.

Left out of the list of council endorsements are incumbents Vice-Chair JoAnn Yukimura, Tim Bynum and Dickie Chang.

HGEA chose not to endorse anyone for the 15th District at the state House of Representatives, a seat currently occupied by Democrat Rep. Jimmy Tokioka.

Incumbents Reps. Derek Kawakami, D-14th District, and Dee Morikawa, D-16th District, received HGEA endorsements for their respective seats.

Justin Kollar, running for county Prosecuting Attorney, and incumbent state Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau, also received an HGEA endorsement.

Earlier endorsements by HGEA include President Barack Obama, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate and Muffi Hanneman for District 2 of the U.S. Representatives.

“We believe this list of endorsed candidates represents individuals who share HGEA’s commitment to supporting public employees and improving the lives of Hawai‘i’s people,” Gasper said in the release.

∫ Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@thegardenisland.com