LIHU‘E — Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced last week he will seek a second term, and started campaigning almost immediately, visiting three islands, including Kaua‘i on Monday, in a span of a few days. “You can have confidence in Hawai‘i’s future,
LIHU‘E — Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced last week he will seek a second term, and started campaigning almost immediately, visiting three islands, including Kaua‘i on Monday, in a span of a few days.
“You can have confidence in Hawai‘i’s future, and you can have confidence in me,” Abercrombie said in a news release April 29.
But how is Abercrombie’s statement ringing in the ears of Kaua‘i residents?
“I am confident that Neil Abercrombie is thoroughly intoxicated with political power and wants to extend his term as governor of Hawai‘i,” said Ambrose Curry, a long-time Kapa‘a resident and former owner of a health food store.
Curry said the former congressman may go after a U.S. Senate seat or even the U.S. presidency after his term as Hawai‘i governor ends.
“Too bad he doesn’t play basketball or saxophone better,” said Curry, alluring to the talents of President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, respectively.
South Shore artist and photographer Carol Ann Davis-Brian said Hawai‘i is still suffering from economic hardship, and Abercrombie hasn’t had enough money to do things that he would’ve liked to. But the governor has done a better job than others would have in these “terrible economic times.”
“I, for the most part, like what he’s done,” she said. “I like that he’s listened to us as far as the drug coverage for Hawai‘i.”
Davis-Brian said sometimes Abercrombie hasn’t listened to residents too well but overall she approves his job, and “certainly” approves it far more than she approved former Gov. Linda Lingle.
She also sided with Abercrombie’s choice to appoint former Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, which was against Inouye’s death-bed wish to have U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa to succeed him.
“I think Brian Schatz is a really sharp guy,” said Davis-Brian, adding that Schatz’s appointment made Abercrombie “a lot better choice of governor.”
Between taking care of five children and working at a major resort, Lihu‘e resident Kanani Quereto said she doesn’t have time to vote. But she wishes the state would have a better health care system for those in need.
She said she is thankful to have health insurance through her job, which is not the case with many on Kaua‘i. Regular health care runs at about $600 to $800 per month, according to Quereto, who wishes Abercrombie would invest more money into basic preventive health care.
“Something basic, a health exam, a basic physical, blood work, and even just teeth cleaning,” she said. “It’s over $100 for basic (teeth) cleaning.”
Quereto said she is aware the state offers some free health care and other services such as food stamps and disability checks, but there is too much bureaucracy.
“Yes, there are people who take advantage of the system, but there are others who don’t,” said Quereto, adding they need to jump through many hoops to get services. “All they need is something basic, they just need some help here and there.”
Kilauea goat farmer Louisa Wooton said she gives Abercrombie a “B-minus.”
“I voted for him, but I don’t know if he has done the job that I thought he would have,” she said. “I’m really not pleased with the way the University of Hawai‘i is set up.”
Wooton said it’s impossible to graduate from UH in four years. Her son just graduated, and it took him five years. He is “a really bright guy,” she said, but there were so many scheduling conflicts between classes that he wanted and didn’t want to take that it took him an extra year to finish his education.
While her son didn’t incur student debt at UH, Wooton said this extra year puts an additional burden on many students and their families struggling to pay for a college education.
“I’d like to see a governor stand up to the UH administration,” said Wooton, adding she’s not sure how much control Abercrombie has over UH, but as a leader of the state, he should have some. Additionally, the tuition at UH increased since Abercrombie took office in 2010.
“I don’t know if Mufi Hannemann would’ve been better, but it’s something we’ll never find out,” Wooton said of Abercrombie’s main Democratic opponent in the 2010 primary elections.
Moksha McClure, owner of a pet boarding and pet care business in Lihu‘e, had higher expectations for Abercrombie.
“Although initially optimistic about Abercrombie, I was very disappointed when he lent his support to companies such as Monsanto,” she said. “I hope he will do more to protect our ‘aina and way of life if he is re-elected.”
Abercrombie said that when he took office more than two years ago, the state’s deficit was at $200 million. Government workers took pay cuts to keep services from being interrupted, and those cuts have been recently restored through labor contracts. Today, the state has a positive balance of $300 million, according to Abercrombie.
“We turned things around through collaboration and shared sacrifices,” he said.
These accomplishments were possible because a priority of the Abercrombie administration in 2010 to correct the state’s fiscal condition, according to Abercrombie’s campaign staff.
But the governor’s image on Kaua‘i and across the state was tarnished for some voters last year by his staunch support of the now extinct Public Lands Development Corporation, which had broad powers to develop public lands while superseding county zoning laws.
The PLDC came into existence after Abercrombie signed Act 55 into law on May 20, 2011, following the Legislature’s approval of Senate Bill 1555. It wasn’t until August 2012 that the PLDC board started conducting statewide public meetings that turned out to be heated, with the public overwhelmingly asking for the repeal of Act 55.
The governor had publicly said he would veto a potential repeal of Act 55 by state lawmakers, and when he visited Kaua‘i in September, many local residents asked for his impeachment.
On Nov. 23, Abercrombie said he asked the PLDC board to postpone any meeting dates and adoptive actions until public concerns were fully taken into consideration.
Then on Jan. 17, he said he would consider a repeal of Act 55 if state lawmakers could not adjust the law so that “its good intentions” could be implemented appropriately.
Many proposals to modify or repeal Act 55 were introduced earlier this year at the Legislature. On April 15, House Bill 1133, repealing the PLDC, unanimously passed final reading at the House.
On April 22, Abercrombie signed HB 1133 into law, putting an end to arguably one of the most controversial laws passed in Hawai‘i in recent years.
“As with any new law, public understanding and support are essential,” Abercrombie said Wednesday. “In the case of the PLDC, best intentions and the potential for public good could not be reconciled with public concerns.”
