PUHI — His current focus remains on doing the best job he can as lieutenant governor, said James “Duke” Aiona Jr. But he sees a “need” to run for governor, he said, and has announced his intent to run and
PUHI — His current focus remains on doing the best job he can as lieutenant governor, said James “Duke” Aiona Jr.
But he sees a “need” to run for governor, he said, and has announced his intent to run and is to date the strongest Republican candidate announced for that position.
“I’m concentrating on my job right now,” Aiona said Wednesday, on Kaua‘i for the blessing and groundbreaking of the $39 million project to widen Kaumuali‘i Highway from two to four lanes from Lihu‘e to Puhi.
His priority to the people of Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i now is as lieutenant governor, carrying out the final year’s duties of the Lingle administration that has been in charge since 2002.
Lingle is prevented from running for governor this year by state law limiting terms of governors to two consecutive, four-year terms.
Aiona said projects like the highway widening are crucial now, and other capital improvement projects will be coming soon both on Kaua‘i and elsewhere across the state, to help prop the state’s sagging economy.
He smiled and declined to comment on the barbs being traded by Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, two high-profile Democratic candidates for the governor’s office.
They will square off in what will likely be a no-holds-barred primary election in September, the winner most likely facing off against Aiona in the November general election.
Asked if the state needs a Native Hawaiian governor, Aiona said the state needs “a governor who will represent all the people of Hawai‘i.”
He said his own ethnic background, including Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, and his wife’s ethnicity including Filipino and Chinese, reflect the melting pot that is Hawai‘i.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
