Cocktails and candidates

Voters sent a mixed message on mixing drinks and driving. Jon Riki Karamatsu, who was vice speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives until he drove drunk and crashed his car, won his primary re-election bid against community leader Ty Cullen. State Sen. Ron Menor, who had his own DUI arrest and spent two days in jail, was defeated for re-election by Michelle Kidani, a former aide to City Councilwoman Rene Mansho. The mixed message came despite the fact that their districts overlap so some of the same voters were making choices in both races. As someone who doesn't drink much -- dunno why, I just don't like it as much as most people do, and when I do order a drink it's usually something wussy like a White Russian -- I haven't walked a mile in their shoes and don't have the heartfelt opinion that either a two-fisted drinker or a reformed drinker might have. But it does occur to me that there were some subtle differences in the two cases. My impression was that Menor tried to partially excuse his conduct after his arrest, while Karamatsu was more of a stand-up guy, stepping down as vice speaker before anyone could make him do it. But during the actual campaign I assume Menor was more contrite. Another possible factor, not related to the DUI issue, could be the relative strength of the challengers, but I was under the impression that Cullen was actually better known than Kidani. Backlash may have played a role, too: someone mailed an anonymous note to everyone in Karamatsu's district slamming him on the DUI. Everyone denied sending it. It just doesn't seem fair for someone who doesn't even like alcohol to moralize on drinking, but I do a lot of driving and don't approve of anyone pretending that impaired driving of any sort is anything but serious. It's hard enough to see people in crosswalks when you're sober.

Comments

[OldhiloJapanee]

Howzit Howard! Brah, you my favorite.

But what's up with all the Billy Kenoi love from all the media? All the camera time, all the interviews. Lorainne Inouye got booted and she still got more time than Pilago! How absurd.

Can our good friends in the media show equal love to Angel Pilago? He's really a good man who will give the Big Island a real opportunity for change.

[hapahaoleinkalihi]

Sorry to hear that Big Island listeners felt left out of complete coverage on Election night returns. Sometimes I think we forget that this is an island state and the biggest island is Hawaii itself. Aside from Oahu no other island has the freeway system, cell link systems or other electronic doodads that Oahu does. As a matter of fact on Kauai after Iniki-in spite of receiving assistance with free cell phones for community workers nothing would reach beyond Hanapepe. Soo, if we want more we (the electorate) must seek and pay for more; another place for a joint venture with State and Private perhaps. We can only keep asking and maybe just maybe one day it will all link up.