September 03, 2010, from www.staradvertiser.com

Though none envisions being a mere underling, the nine candidates hoping to be lieutenant governor all agree the job is likely to be defined more by the next governor’s policies — and his willingness to share the spotlight — than their own plans to elevate a mostly ceremonial office.

The field of seven Democrats and two Republicans comprises youth, experience and varying positions on the issues of the day. Each believes they can bring relevance to the role. Some see an opportunity to advance personal goals, some stress how collaborative they can be.

But the ability to step into the state’s top job in crisis is pivotal, and in a crowded field, only a scant few instill that confidence.

Of these candidates, the Star-Advertiser endorses Democrat Brian Schatz and, on the Republican side, Lynn Finnegan — both of whom stand out for their smarts, their grasp of the issues and their ability to thoughtfully articulate their positions.

Schatz already has a formidable resume as a four-term state legislator, former chairman of the Hawaii Democratic Party and head of President Barack Obama’s campaign in the islands.

He has been an ascendant presence in Hawaii politics since 1998, when at the age of 25 he won a state House seat in the 25th District (Makiki, McCully, Tantalus). There he served as majority whip and chairman of the Economic Development Committee and earned a reputation as a strong supporter of early childhood education and high-tech innovation. Most recently he was chief executive officer at Helping Hands Hawaii, where he is credited with helping to revive the nonprofit group.

In tough economic times, Schatz says, he as lieutenant governor would help forge new economic ties during next year’s Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings as well as head an office that would seek ways to maximize federal funding of state projects.

On the Republican side, Finnegan is an experienced candidate with a track record of service to her community and as a dynamic leader within the GOP caucus.

Finnegan has represented the 32nd district (Waimalu, Aliamanu, Airport) since 2002 and has risen to the rank of minority leader in the state House. She has championed funding for charter schools, both as a parent and a legislator, and would bolster the charter movement within the public school system. Finnegan also has advocated entrusting local school communities with the power to define their own needs and priorities, something that education reform advocates would find appealing.

Finnegan supports incentives for renewable energy sources, walkable urban communities and other elements that find bipartisan support in Hawaii’s often fractious state government.

Successful lieutenant governors of the past have parlayed their second-in-command status into the governorship. Till then, though, the job at hand can be more — and certainly should be, if the incoming governor can delegate meaningful responsibilities. Schatz for the Democrats, or Finnegan for the Republicans: Either would welcome and run with the opportunity.

In 1974, when I was first elected to the State Legislature representing the people of Moiliili-McCully, George Ariyoshi was elected to the first of what was to be an unprecedented three terms as Governor of the State of Hawaii.  As chairperson of the newly formed Committee on Youth and Elderly Affairs, I worked closely with the Governor and his staff to establish the Executive Office on Children and Youth and the Executive Office on Aging in order to better coordinate and expand much needed services for the very youngest and oldest members of our community.

I was confident that I would have Governor Ariyoshi’s support for this effort as I knew that the concept of otagaior mutual obligation was a core element of his personal and political philosophy – the idea that in exchange for their trust and support, it was incumbent upon public officials to provide for the needs and expectations of the people in a fair, competent, and equitable manner. I believe that revitalizing this concept of otagai is one way to address the rising acrimony and distrust that characterize so much of our public discourse today.

In 1981, after returning from Boston, I began working as a special assistant to Governor Ariyoshi.  The 1980’s was a period of growing tension between economic growth and  development and environmental and  social concerns, and I watched the Governor deal with multiple crises and challenges with unfailing patience and skill. One of the things I observed was that the concept of stewardship was paramount in his decision making on any issue.

He believed that in addressing the problems and demands of the moment, public officials must also be good stewards who practice concern for the next generation. I believe that we must all become better stewards of our land and our communities in order to leave a brighter and more secure future for our children.

Today, I am wholeheartedly supporting Brian Schatz for Lieutenant Governor because I know that he has the energetic leadership, innovative thinking, and strength of character to be a strong partner for the next Governor of Hawaii.

Brian is part of the new generation of political leadership in Hawaii who shares with the previous generation a deep understanding of the importance of mutual obligation and a commitment to stewardship. Throughout this campaign, Brian has repeatedly talked about the fact that the people of Hawaii have done their part by working hard, paying taxes, and following the rules, and that government must do its part to manage its resources and operate efficiently in order to make things better for them and their families. Moreover, as a father of two, Brian is dedicated to ensuring that the natural beauty and multi-cultural environment that makes Hawaii so special will be cared for and enhanced for all our children.

Please vote for Brian Schatz for Lieutenant Governor.

Carl Takamura

I’m proud to let you know that the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) has announced its support for our campaign. HGEA is Hawaii’s largest union with more than 43,000 members statewide. They are a diverse and talented group of state and county government employees.

This endorsement is very important because today there is a huge gap between the state administration and the HGEA. It’s a gap that needs filling. I understand that our state workers are our greatest asset and that the starting point for solving the problems of state government is with the employees who deliver the services. Beginning there, we can move forward together in setting clear government priorities, improving the workplace, tapping into technology and giving the public the best service we can.

I am the kind of person who likes to solve problems. I enjoy drilling down and getting into what it really takes to fix something. I know there is no substitute for elected leaders who get in the trenches to help make good things happen.

I’m thankful for this voice of support and look forward to working with the HGEA team. With the addition of HGEA, there are now 72,000 women and men whose unions are supporting our campaign.

HGEA’s help means a lot, because this is going to be a tough race. Please help by making a contribution or volunteering. Every effort gets us closer.

Mahalo,

Businesspeople will tell you that what they want most from government is straight answers, dependable information and fair treatment. So we start with the premise that HOW government does things is as important as WHAT it does. The negative model for how not to do things is the Superferry. Investors want stability not gamesmanship.

Here are five action steps for a stronger economy.

One, we must support businesses that are producing jobs now, as opposed to taking them for granted. The visitor industry and Hawaii’s array of health related businesses are good examples. If the market for these services changes, government must resiliently help with the adjustments so that businesses thrive and jobs are kept. A simple example: as the Chinese become greater travelers, we should not only promote Hawaii in China but translate our signage into Chinese.

Two, move boldly on training and apprenticeship programs, especially in economic down cycles. Want a model? How about the Carpenter Union’s state of the art training center in Kapolei? It is a cooperative long term investment by the public and private sectors in developing a local work force for the jobs in front of us. It combines faith in our State’s future with a real plan to ready workers with skills needed for everything from the construction of education facilities to transit to military spending.

Three, build green. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to show the rest of the world how to create a clean energy economy. Last week I met with a graduate from Keaau High School who works at the geothermal plant in Puna and has the vision and know-how to be part of a very real renewable energy future. Similarly, the deep sea cooling plant on Oahu will take political determination and stable regulatory action. With this one project, we can narrow our carbon footprint, create hundreds of jobs and create a working international model.

Four, put the Lieutenant Governor to work to maximize the use of federal dollars. With Senator Inouye in a historically high position in the Senate and President Obama with deep roots in Hawaii, we are in a unique position to capitalize on bringing in federal money for needed projects and initiatives that can develop new economic activity. We can ensure that Hawaii is getting its fair share of federal resources so that local people, local companies and non-profit agencies are the recipients of these resources. Done right this extra effort can mean hundreds more jobs.

Fifth, ensure that government responds to Hawaii families who suddenly find themselves out of work. From my experience in managing a social services agency, I know that there are many families who have worked for decades, always paid their taxes and now for the first time have to deal with a layoff from a company that they never thought would fail. These folks have done the right things all their lives, and we owe them a caring and well run support system.

With your help, I will provide the leadership needed to collaborate with everyone who believes in the importance of good jobs for our families and stabilizing our economy. There’s hard work ahead. Let’s get moving.

Aloha,

January 14, 2010

By DERRICK DePLEDGE
Advertiser Government Writer

Maya Soetoro-Ng, President Obama’s sister, has recorded a message backing Brian Schatz in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.

Soetoro-Ng said she is supporting Schatz, who helped with Obama’s presidential campaign in Hawai’i, because of what she described as his principled, pragmatic ideas and leadership qualities.

“He has quite a bit of intellectual courage and political savvy, both necessary to accomplish and acquire the important things that this state needs,” she said in an e-mail interview.

The Schatz campaign plans to release the recorded message by telephone to voters statewide today, and will likely do a radio advertisement later in the campaign.

Soetoro-Ng made appearances for her brother in Hawai’i and on the Mainland during the 2008 presidential campaign, but has otherwise not been publicly involved in politics.

Other than the recording for Schatz, a friend, she said she does not plan to have a role in local political campaigns. She also said her support for Schatz is a personal decision that has nothing to do with Obama, who is not mentioned in the recording.

“Although I did support other local Democratic candidates and the Democratic Party of Hawai’i in general while campaigning for my brother, I do not wish to continue to be involved in political campaigning,” she said. “I prefer to make my contributions to society through education.”

Soetoro-Ng and her husband, Konrad Ng, have returned to the Islands from Washington, D.C., where Ng spent a semester as a visiting scholar at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program.

Soetoro-Ng, a former teacher a La Pietra Hawai’i School for Girls, said her plans are to complete a book on peace education, build her national nonprofit on public education, help other nonprofits on which she serves as a board member, and raise a family.

Her time in Washington, she said, “allowed us to be near my family at a time when our family was recovering from the loss of our Tutu and experiencing so much that was new. Washington, D.C. was a welcome temporary home for us, but Hawai’i is our permanent residence and our heart’s sanctuary.”

Madelyn Dunham, Obama and Soetoro-Ng’s grandmother, died in November 2008.

Schatz, a former Democratic Party of Hawai’i chairman and Makiki state representative, said Soetoro-Ng’s support is a boost for his campaign.

“A lot of people have tremendous aloha for Maya, and having her support means a lot for me personally,” Schatz said in an e-mail. “It’s also a great boost to our growing campaign.”
…

Brian Schatz is filing his nomination papers to run as a Democratic candidate for the Office of Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii on Wednesday, July 14, at 11:00 a.m., at the Hawaii State Office of State Elections, 802 Lehua Avenue.

“This formally marks the beginning of our drive to bring accountable government back to Hawaii, fixing the problems in our schools and building a stronger economy. People agree and are united that Hawaii must do better than Furlough Fridays and an unaccountable government,” Schatz stated.

Schatz recently received the support of the ILWU, Hawaii’s largest private sector union with 19,000 members across the State, and from the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. In addition, unions endorsing Schatz include the Ironworkers, Operating Engineers, and IBEW 1357 (phone workers). He is also endorsed by the Hawaii Venture Capital Association.

Schatz began the Draft Obama campaign in 2006, then led the Hawaii for Obama campaign and chaired the Democratic Party of Hawaii until January of 2010.

After successfully managing it for eight years, Schatz recently stepped down from his role as CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii, a large social services non-profit focused on providing care for some of Hawaii’s most vulnerable. He served four terms in the Hawaii State Legislature until 2006, during which time he was appointed Majority Whip and chaired the Economic Development Committee. Schatz successfully led the fight for the Legislature to triple the repair and maintenance budget for schools in 2004.

Brian is married to Linda Schatz, formerly Kwok. They are the proud parents of two children, Tyler and Mia.

A Letter of Support from Arnold and Karen Morgado

As a family who loves Hawaii and has spent rewarding times in public and community service, we know that our State faces some very challenging times ahead. Times like these call for bold, smart and caring leadership. And there is a need to blend new talent and energy into government to be successful. That is why we support Brian Schatz for Lieutenant Governor.

We know Brian. He is a remarkable problem-solver at a time when Hawaii needs one. He understands the growing frustration many of us feel – the  lack of jobs, the faltering economy, and a government that desperately needs transformation and leadership.

Brian has deep, local roots. This includes being raised and going to school here. You will love his wife, Linda Kwok Schatz, whose parents ran Kwok Chop Suey on Waialae Avenue for 35 years.

In leading Hawaii’s Obama for President Campaign and as the Chair of the Democratic Party, he worked with people across the State on the priority of creating and keeping jobs during these hard times. As a legislator for eight years and Chair of the House Economic Development Committee, he made investment in public infrastructure especially the schools; promoted high tech industries bringing in high pay jobs; and was a major advocate for renewable energy. As the Executive Director of Helping Hands Hawaii, Brian led the social service organization through difficult times, and today it has emerged stronger than ever. Finally, as a father of two small children, Brian understands how hard families are working to make it and how concerned we all are that our children will have the option of finding good jobs in the islands as they grow up.

At a time when many of us are asking ourselves who is ready to step up to the plate, Brian offers a new generation of leadership with roots in Hawaii and a lifetime commitment to its betterment. Brian is a person who goes to work every day and makes good things happen for Hawaii, He has real passion for what does and his energy to tackle the tough issues make a leader worthy of our support.