WRAPPING UP ELECTION 2022 IN HAWAII.

A NEW GOVERNOR IS PREPARING TO TAKE OFFICE, KAUAI AND MAUI COUNTY VOTERS HAVE CHOSEN THEIR MAYORS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS GETTING READY TO WELCOME SOME NEW FACES.

THIS AS VOTERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON A NUMBER OF COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS.

A LOOK AHEAD AT SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES THAT COULD BE FACING LAWMAKERS IN 2023 AND BEYOND.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

THE VOTES ARE IN AND JOSH GREEN WILL BE HAWAII’S NEXT GOVERNOR, BUT THAT’S NOT ALL.

THERE’S A NEW CLASS OF FIRST‑TIME LAWMAKERS JOINING THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS COUNTY COUNCILS.

THEIR DECISIONS WILL SHAPE HAWAII’S FUTURE AND COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR EVERY DAY LIVES.

TONIGHT WE’RE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT ISSUES COULD BE HEADING TO THE FOREFRONT, PLUS A RECAP OF THE RACES AND A DISCUSSION ON OUR HISTORICALLY LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

JOURNALIST CATHERINE CRUZ IS WITH HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO.

SHE’S THE HOST OF “THE CONVERSATION” AND A MEMBER OF HPR’S NEWS TEAM.

SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED AS A TELEVISION REPORTER FOR MORE THAN 30‑YEARS AT KITV.

COLLEEN UECHI IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE MAUI NEWS WHICH IS A DAILY NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS ISSUES HAPPENING ON MAUI, LANAI AND MOLOKAI.

SHE GREW UP ON OAHU AND INTERNED AT THE MOLOKAI DISPATCH PAPER BEFORE JOINING THE MAUI NEWS.

BLAZE LOVELL IS A REPORTER FOR THE ONLINE, INVESTIGATIVE NEWS WEBSITE HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT.

BORN AND RAISED ON OAHU, HE’S A PEARL CITY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND EARNED HIS BACHELOR’S DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS.

AND POLITICAL ANALYST COLIN MOORE IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC POLICY CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

WE'VE ALL BEEN REFRESHING OUR BROWSERRING FINAL PRINTOUTS.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS.

>> WEREN'T TOO MANY SURPRISE.

JOSH GREEN GOVERNOR ELECT.

REPUBLICANS TALKED ABOUT HAWAII RED WAVE.

JOKING ASIDE, REALLY SHOULD BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR INCREASING NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE HOUSE TO 6.

FROM 4 TO 6.

AND EVEN MORE SURPRISING, NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE STATE SENATE FROM ONE TO TWO.

AND WE HAVEN'T HAD TWO REPUBLICANS STATE SENATORS SINCE 2008.

REMARKABLE RESULT FOR REPUBLICANS.

INVESTED MONEY STRATEGICALLY.

LYNN FINNEGAN DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT FOR VICTORIES.

INCUMBENT GO DOWN.

SHE WAS RUNNING FROM A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.

THAT IS EVEN STILL QUITE SURPRISING.

INCUMBENT ENDED UP WINNING MILE SHIMABUKURO IN DISTRICT 22.

CAME WITHIN 72 VOTES OF LOSEING HER SEAT.

REALLY SUCCESSFUL RESULT FROM REPUBLICANS.

>>Yunji: ONE THING THAT MAY BE SURPRISING TO FOCUS IS HOW FEW PEOPLE ACTUALLY VOTED.

WE HAD HISTORICALLY LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH JOSH GREEN WON BY, CONTRAST THAT WITH THE 48% OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ACTUALLY VOTING, DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION REALLY HAS A MANDATE?

>> THERE IS SORT OF A QUESTION WE ALWAYS HAVE TO ASK ALMOST EVERY GENERAL ELECTION.

VOTER TURNOUT HISTORICALLY BEEN SO LOW, SINCE LATE 80s, EARLY 90s, VOTER TURNOUT HAS BEEN STEADY DECLINE.

2020, WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF ALL MAIL VOTING.

SAW A HUGE SPIKE.

SORT OF SETTLED.

PART OF THAT MAY BE DOMINANCE OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

STATE'S TOP RACE.

GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IN A LOT OF VOTER'S MINDS.

THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DECIDED AT THE PRIMARY.

I THINK RACES IS BIG PART OF IT.

BUT ANOTHER THING WE NEED TO CONSIDER.

PERCENTAGEWISE, IT WAS LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT, IN HAWAII'S STATE HISTORY AT 48%, YOU GOT TO SORT OF ALSO LOOK AT THE RAW NUMBER OF PEOPLE VOTED OVER 400,000.

I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS HIGHER THAN IT WAS IN 2018.

SO YOU SORT OF NEED THAT CONTEXT TO WHERE MORE, WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE REGISTERING TO VOTE, YOU ALSO HAVE MORE TOTAL PEOPLE COMING OUT TO VOTE.

BUT VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENTAGE IS STILL REALLY LOW FOR US.

>>Yunji: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHO GOING TO THE FIFTH FLOOR.

KATHRYN WE HAVE JOSH GREEN AND SYLVIA LUKE.

COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND NOW, COMING TOGETHER PARTNERS AT THE CAPITOL.

WHAT DO YOU SEE DYNAMIC.

>> BEEN SAYING THAT THEY'RE LOCK STEP.

GET ALONG GREAT.

TALK DAILY.

I SAW SYLVIA LUKE ON THE WAY OVER HERE.

MAHALO SIGNS DOWN NEAR BY HONOLULU HALE BY THE CAPITOL.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW WELL THEY WORK TOGETHER.

WE'VE HAD BOTH CANDIDATES ON OUR SHOW RECENTLY.

JOSH HAS SAID THAT HE WANTS SYLVIA TO TAKE LARGER ROLE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

GOING TO BE LOOKING AT DEVELOPING THOSE PRESCHOOLS WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.

ALSO GOING TO BE WORKING ON BROADBAND, WE SAW INFRASTRUCTURE IN GOVERNMENT JUST WOEFULLY, WOEFULLY BEHIND.

DURING PANDEMIC.

PROBLEMS WAS THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

THOSE ARE THE TWO AREAS.

GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON.

BRING WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE FINANCE CHAIR.

SHE HAS RELATIONSHIPS AND WE'LL SEE HOW FAR THAT GOES.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO GET YOUR INPUT HERE.

JOSH GREEN REALLY TOUTING HIMSELF AS NEIGHBOR ISLAND GUY.

WITH KONA ROOTS AND TALKING ABOUT HIS WORK IN KOHALA AS DOCTOR.

DO YOU THINK THAT THAT NEIGHBOR ISLAND CONNECTION HELP TO DO PLAY TO SOME OF THE COUNTY'S OUTSIDE OF HONOLULU?

>> DEFINITELY.

I THINK DEFINITELY PLAYED A ROLE.

PEOPLE LIKE WHEN THEY SEE CANDIDATES CAN THINK ABOUT THE NEIGHBOR ISLAND IS NOT OAHU CENTRIC.

VISITED MAUI A LOT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ANOTHER THING REALLY HELPED HIS VISIBILITY IN TERMS OF GETTING HIS NAME OUT THERE ACROSS THE STATE.

HE WAS GUY WHO WAS LIKE, LOOK, I'M MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

LET ME HELP YOU GUYS THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

SO THE VISIBILITY STATEWIDE AS WELL AS THAT NEIGHBOR ISLAND CONNECTION.

REPEATED VISITS TO MAUI.

ESPECIALLY HOSPITAL HELPED.

HOW HE FARED.

MAUI COUNTY.

>>Yunji: PICK UP WHAT KATHRYN LAID OUT ABOUT THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN SYLVIA LUKE AND JOSH GREEN.

JOSH GREEN SORT OF FAMOUSLY OR NOTABLY HAD A LOT OF DISSENSION WITH HIS OWN GOVERNOR.

HE AND IGE DIDN'T ALWAYS GET ALONG OR SEE EYE TO EYE ON PUBLIC POLICY WHEN IT CAME TO COVID.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT HIM DO WITH THAT RELATIONSHIP GIVEN THAT HE HIMSELF WAS A SELF‑PROCLAIMED INSUBOR THE GNAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> I REMEMBER THAT HE WAS ASKED THIS QUESTION.

HOW WOULD YOU REACT AS SYLVIA LUKE STARTED GOING ROGUE.

HE SAID, WELL, I'D LET HER.

I'M NOT SURE THAT'S ACTUALLY TRUE.

ONE THING I WILL SAY THIS RELATIONSHIP IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR JOSH GREEN THAN SYLVIA LUKE.

WHAT I MEAN IS THAT SYLVIA LUKE BRINGS A LOT TO THE TABLE.

SHE IS A SENIOR LEGISLATOR.

MASTERY OF THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS.

JOSH GREEN DESPITE STRENGTHS AND COMMUNICATION WAS NOT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL REALLY SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATOR WHEN HE WAS A STATE SENATOR.

WASN'T POWERFUL MEMBER.

SYLVIA LUKE PROBABLY SECOND MOST POWERFUL MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.

IF HE CAN WORK WITH SYLVIA LUKE, SHE CAN PROVIDE A WAY FOR HIM TO GET HIS ADMINISTRATIVE PACKAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

PLACE WHERE HE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.

I EXPECT IT'S GOING TO START OUT WELL.

BECAUSE BOTH OF THEM VALUE THIS.

I THINK IF THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMEONE STARTS TO VEER A LITTLE BIT, IT'S LIKELY TO BE SYLVIA LUKE.

I THINK SHE'S GOING TO PROBABLY BE THINKING MAYBE IN TWO YEARS, AM I GOING TO CHALLENGE JOSH GREEN FOR GOVERNOR?

THERE WAS A LONG HISTORY IN HAWAII AS YOU KNOW OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOSH GREEN RUNNING AGAINST THEIR OWN GOVERNOR.

SO THAT MAY BE A DYNAMIC WE SEE.

BUT I THINK THAT IN THE BEGINNING, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO STICK TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY'RE HONEYMOON ISN'T GOING TO BE VERY LONG.

WE KNOW THAT GOVERNOR IGE HAS STRUGGLED.

>> HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATORS A THINK JOSH GREEN WILL BE.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST REALLY FRUSTRATED PERFORMANCE OF THE STATE.

>> GOVERNOR IGE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE LEAST POPULAR GOVERNORS IN AMERICA FOR THE ENTIRETY OF HIS SECOND TERM.

IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE MISTAKES HE'S MADE.

IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND BLAME THE GOVERNOR.

>> I EXPECT LUKE AND GREEN ARE GOING TO HAVE A SHORT HONEYMOON.

THEY NEED TO STICK TOGETHER AND GET EARLY WINS ON THE BOARD IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION.

>> >>Yunji: BLAZE, WHAT DO YOU THINK EARLY WINS SHOULD BE?

WHAT SHOULD THEY FOCUS ON.

>> DEFINITELY NEED TO SESSION COMING IN, COMING IN EARLY AND COMING IN STRONG, THEY NEED TO DELIVER ON AT LEAST FEW OF THEIR PROMISES.

PROMISE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

THEY WANT TO OVERSEE HOW THIS NEW $600 MILLION LEGISLATOR GAVE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO TAMP DOWN ON THIS HUMUNGOUS WAITING LIST IS GOING TO GO.

EXECUTE THAT.

I THINK THAT HOUSING COMPONENT BECAUSE OF TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT IT.

REALLY WHAT VOTERS ARE GOING TO SCORE THEM ON.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TO ECHO WHAT COLIN SAID, THE GOVERNOR ELECT IS GOING TO HAVE TO LEAN ON NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SYLVIA LIKE TO GET HIM THROUGH THE SESSION.

SENATE IN PARTICULAR HAS CHANGED A LOT SINCE HE WAS THERE.

HE USED TO BE PART OF COALITION THAT INCLUDED GOVERNOR IGE AND FEW OTHER POWERFUL SENATORS.

THAT FACTION IS COMPLETELY GONE.

TOTALLY NEW LEADERS WHEN HE WAS LAST IN THAT BUILDING.

HE'S GOING TO NEED SOME ALLIES AND THAT ALLY IS GOING TO BE ACROSS THE WALKWAY ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

DO YOU AGREE HE NEEDS HER MORE THAN SHE NEEDS HIM.

>> PROBABLY.

YEAH.

INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS THE GOVERNOR STARTS TO ASSEMBLE HIS CABINET.

DID HE SAY HE MAY KEEP SOME OF THE IGE ADMINISTRATORS.

SO THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO IF FILL IN RESUMES.

TALKED TO PEOPLE INTERESTED.

CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THAT ALL PLACE OUT.

>>Yunji: DECEMBER 5 WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

HEAD OF DBEDT UNDER THIS WAY THINGS ARE GOING WITH THE STADIUM, ONE OF THE BIG PROJECTS GOING TO HAVE TO SHEPHERD.

I EXPECT HIS VISION IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN IGE'S ON THAT.

>> YES.

WE DID HAVE THE GOVERNOR ON THE CONVERSATION TODAY.

I ASKED HIM.

WHERE ARE YOU AT WITH THAT?

DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME.

STADIUM AUTHORITY CAN LET THE CLOCK RUN OUT.

ASKED GOVERNOR TO PUT A PAUSE ON THAT PROCESS.

GOVERNOR IS NOT AGREEING TO DO THAT.

JUST GOING TO KEEP ON GOING.

I ASKED IF THE DEAL WAS DEAD BECAUSE U.H.

IS STILL SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO STAY AT CHING.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

GREEN'S CAMP SAYING THEY ASKED THE GOVERNOR PRIVATELY NOW THEY'RE COMING OUT PRIVATE I WILL SAYING PLEASE PUT A PAUSE ON THIS.

>>Yunji: TALK ABOUT THE CHECK‑UP IN MAUI.

YOU HAVE CHANGE UP.

INCUMBENT MAYOR VICTORINO REASON LOSING TO THE CHALLENGER.

RARE TO SEE INCUMBENT MAYOR LOSE HIS SEAT.

>> VERY RARE.

WASN'T ENTIRELY SURPRISING.

HE WAS IN TROUBLE.

STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GATE.

EARLIER CANDIDATES TO DECLARE RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

AMASSED A LOT OF FUNDRAISING MOMENTUM.

PRIMARY INDICATED THAT HE HAD THAT SUPPORT VICTORINO TRYING TO SUPPORT THE GAP.

A LOT OF SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY HURT HIS ELECTION CHANCES WERE THE PANDEMIC.

EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL IF THE PANDEMIC MADE REALLY TOUGH CHOICES A LOT OF THEM NOT POPULAR.

THAT WAS ONE THING THAT I THINK REALLY WAS NOT IN HIS FAVOR.

BISEN.

>> NOT A LIFETIME POLITICIAN.

HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT IN THE JUDICIARY.

THINK THAT DID PLAY IN HIS FAVOR.

>>Yunji: PEOPLE AT THE REALM TO MAKE TOUGH CALLS ON CLOSURES.

VACCINE MANDATES DIDN'T FAIR TOO WELL.

>> INTERESTING BECAUSE I AGREE WITH WHAT COLLEEN SAID.

REALLY DID HURT MICHAEL VICTORINO.

FACE OF COVID RESPONSE ON MAUI.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE TO IT CONSIDER JOSH GREEN.

HE WAS THE STATE ENTIRE STATE'S FACE FOR COVID.

AFTER SPENDING MONTHS INSIDE PEOPLE'S LIVINGROOMS, ON HIS WHITE BOARD, EXPLAINING WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH COVID, I MEAN, HE BECAME A MEMBER OF PEOPLE'S FAMILIES.

THIS LED TO HIS EXTREME POPULARITY.

HE WAS GETTING APPROVAL RATINGS FAVORABILITY RATINGS AS MANY IN THE 70S WHICH IS UNHEARD OF.

IT SEEMED TO WORK BOTH WAYS.

THIS REALLY HELPED LG.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS A MINORITY OF FOCUS RESISTED THE COVID RESTRICTIONS.

JOSH GREEN IN SOME STATES IN THE MAINLAND, THIS WOULD HAVE HAVE DOOMED YOU TO POLITICAL OBLIVION.

IF YOU HAD BEEN THE ONE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE'S COVID RESPONSE.

PROMOTED MORE AGGRESSIVE RESPONSE.

LED TO JOSH GREEN EASILY BECOMING GOVERNOR.

AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK IT HURT MIKE VICTORINO ONE TERM HALF THAT TIME CONSUMED BY THE COVID RESPONSE.

SEEMED GO BOTH WAYS.

>>Yunji: TELL ME WHAT DO YOU EXPECT HIS INTERACTION TO BE LIKE WITH THE COUNCIL.

VERY INDEPENDENTLY MINED ON MAUI.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THAT DYNAMIC WITH NEW MAYOR.

>> SEEING BALANCE OF COUNCIL SEEMS BE CHANGING WITH THIS ELECTION.

COUPLE TERMS AGO, WAVE OF PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES.

WON A MAJORITY SEATS ON THE COUNCIL.

HAD TIME TO KIND OF SET POLICY DIRECTION OF THE COUNCIL.

AND IN THIS ELECTION, I THINK WE SAW A PUSHBACK OF CANDIDATES WHO MAY BE DIDN'T LIKE DECISIONS NEED.

DIRECTION THEY WERE GOING.

CALL THEM MAYBE LIKE MODERATES.

SO IN THIS ELECTION, MODERATES SEEMED TO HAVE THE MAJORITY ON THE COUNCIL NOW.

SO THAT DEFINITELY CHANGE WHEN WE SEE GOING FORWARD WITH THE COUNCIL AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR.

>>Yunji: TALK ABOUT INCUMBENTS LOSING THEIR SEATS.

KIND OF STAYING ON THAT TRACK.

>> SOMETHING THAT COLIN WAS TALKING ABOUT.

REPUBLICANS GAINING SOME SEATS IN THE HOUSE.

SENATE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT TWO CANDIDATES THAT WERE OBVIOUSLY WEAKENED BY SOME SCANDAL.

SHARON HAR AND MATT LOPESTRI LOSING RE‑ELECTION BIDS.

IN THE END, SEEMS LIKE THOSE ALLEGATIONS OF DUI REALLY WERE TOO MUCH FOR VOTERS TO OVERCOME.

>> I DO THINK THAT THAT PLAYED A BIG FACTOR IN BOTH OF THOSE RACE.

SORT OF AMAZING THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS ABLE TO FLIP TWO SEATS HADN'T HELD PREVIOUSLY.

MORE AMAZING CONSIDERING THEY WERE ALMOST DOWN TO JUST TWO REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE.

BOB MCDERMOTT LEFT TO RUN.

OKAMOTO AXED DUE TO REAPPORTIONMENT.

COME OUT WITH A NET GAIN OF TWO MORE PEOPLE AFTER THOSE LOSSES, PRETTY BIG DEAL.

LOST THAT BOB MCDERMOTT DISTRICT.

SENATE WON ALSO WAS REALLY INTERESTING.

UP IN THE NORTH SHORE.

RACE BETWEEN GIL RIVIERE AND BRENTON.

EXPANSIVE REGION.

BIGGEST ON OAHU, WAIALUA DOWN TO KANEOHE.

GIL DID PRETTY WELL I THINK ON THIS SIDE.

OF THE KO'OLAUS.

LIVES IN WAIALUA.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE HIS DISTRICT HAS BEEN FOR MOST OF THE TIME BEFORE REAPPORTIONMENT.

SINCE LEAVING NEWS BUSINESS, HAD A PRETTY GOOD GROUND GAME.

SAID HE WAS GOING DOOR‑TO‑DOOR.

SAW HIS SIGNS OUT THERE.

SAW HE HAD GET, PEOPLE TO DO THE SIGN‑WAVING FOR HIM.

AND SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A REALLY CLOSE RACE.

JUST WHEN WE WERE TALKING EARLIER IN THE GREEN ROOM, LOOKED AT THE PRECINCT STAT REALLY NECK TO NECK.

MOST PLACES.

BRENTON WAS ABLE TO GET MORE IN PERSON VOTES THAN I THINK WHAT SORT OF TIPPED IT.

HEAVILY CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT.

ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE IN THE STATE.

>>Yunji: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE AWAY ON THAT RACE?

FULL DISCLOSURE, WORK KITV WITH BRENTON HE REALLY DID PUT IN THE WORK.

YOU SAW.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA.

>>Yunji: LOTS OF SIGN.

LOTS OF SHOE LEATHER.

WHAT POLITICS IS ALL ABOUT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN THAT ONE?

>> I KNOW WHEN I WAS TALKING TO GIL, EARLIER, I GUESS IT WAS AROUND PRIMARY TIME.

HAVING TO WORK VERY HARD BECAUSE DISTRICT HAD EXPANDED.

HE HAD TO GO INTO KANEOHE.

WHERE FOLKS DIDN'T KNOW HIM.

BRENTON AWA LIVES THERE.

GREW UP KAHUKU SIDE.

STRONG BASE.

WHEN I TALKED TO GIL RIVIERE EAR THIS AFTERNOON, STATE CAPITOL.

CLEARING OUT HIS OFFICE AND ALREADY TALKED TO BRENTON, TURN OVER HIS FILES.

>> HELP DISTRICT.

WASN'T GOING TO CONTEST IT.

ASKED IF HE WAS INTERESTED IN GETTING PICKED UP THE GREEN ADMINISTRATION.

KNEW EACH OTHER IN THE SENATE.

HAVE TO SEE.

HE SAID VERY EMOTIONAL BECAUSE HE DOWN NEAR THE CAPITOL, PEOPLE WERE FEELING BAD FOR HIM.

HE SERVED THAT AREA WELL FOR A LONG TIME.

SO IT WAS INTERESTING.

>>Yunji: STEPPING BACK FROM JUST THAT RACE.

TO THE OVERALL WINS FOR REPUBLICANS.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> GREEN WARD TALKED TO THIS AFTERNOON, BROUGHT REPUBLICAN WINNERS AND LOSER ALL THE CANDIDATES THEY PUT UP, TO RUN IN THESE RACES DOWN TO THE CAPITOL.

HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED BECAUSE NUMBERS ARE GOING BACK UP AGAIN.

HAD THREE PH.D.'S.

THREE HAWAIIANS.

AND TWO PASTORS IN NEW GROUP.

HE WAS REALLY ENERGIZED.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE MEETING I THINK NEXT WEEK TO TRY TO WORK OUT LEADERSHIP ASPECTS OF WOULD GETS WHAT COMMITTEE.

AND WHO WANTS TO SERVE WHERE.

DEMOCRATS MET TODAY.

AND I THINK SYSTEM CAUCUSING.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LINEUP, LEADERSHIP.

>>Yunji: IN TERMS OF STRATEGY, IF THE REPUBLICAN SMART, KEEP THESE CANDIDATES AND RUN THEM AGAIN.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

NOT SO MUCH RUNNING AND LOSING FIRST TIME, COMING BACK AND RUNNING THAT SECOND TIME.

YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE.

VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT BEGINNING TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

REALLY KEY.

I THINK THIS WAS A BRILLIANT MOVE TO SAY, YOU MIGHT HAVE STRUCK OUT THIS TIME, BUT IN SOME PLACES VERY CLOSE.

LIKE IN THAT SENATE, MAILI SHIMABUKURO RACE.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, NOTHING IS SUPREME COURT SEES LIKE SUCCESS DEPUTY DIRECTOR NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS.

BE ABLE TO RECRUIT BETTER QUALITY CANDIDATES.

I THINK THAT OFTEN BEEN WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STRUGGLED.

GET A LOT FOLKS TO RUN SOMETIMES.

NOT PEOPLE WITH POLITICAL EXPERIENCE.

NOT PEOPLE WITH KIND OF COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS YOU NEED TO REALLY WIN.

BUT NOW, THEY SHOWN THE WAY.

SHOWN THAT IF THEY GET HIGH QUALITY CANDIDATES ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST SIDE, ON THE NORTH SHORE, AS WELL, THEY CAN DO WELL.

OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SEE THAT.

RUNNING OR OFFICE, HUGE SACRIFICE OR YOURSELF AND FAMILY, THERE'S A CHANCE WE COULD WIN AND TARGETING MORE VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS.

I DO THINK THAT HE GOT A LITTLE LUCKY WITH HAR AND LOPESTRI.

RELATIVELY UNPOPULAR BEFORE.

GOT THIS ARRESTED ON SUSPECTED DUI ON TOP OF IT.

HAR TOO.

COUPLE OF GOOD BREAKS.

BRENTON AWA'S SUCCESS.

WELL LIKED.

FORMER REPUBLICAN BEFORE HE RAN AS A DEMOCRAT.

ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

I GIVE BRITAIN A LOT OF CREDIT FOR WINNING THAT RACE.

HE DID HAVE I THINK MOST FABULOUS SIGNS OF THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

>>Yunji: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO RUN AND THEN STRIKE OUT.

THEN DECIDE TO RUN AGAIN.

ONE OF THOSE FOLKS WHO DID THAT AND DID FAREWELL IS DUKE AIONA.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR HIM?

DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE HIM RUN FOR OFFICE AGAIN?

>> DEPEND WHAT IS THE REPUBLICAN LOOKS LIKE GOING FORWARD.

CANDIDATES THEY BRING FORWARD.

I THINK SEEMS LIKE PART OF THE REASON HE RAN MAYBE TO BRING MODERATE EXPERIENCE FACE TO THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF TREND THAT IN A LOT OF OTHER PLACES YOU MENTIONED A LOT MORE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

REPUBLICAN VOTERS HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN A LONG TIME.

A LOT OF OUR STATE LEGISLATURE RACES WERE CONTESTED WITH REPUBLICANS, GREEN PARTY, IN RACES THAT TYPICALLY DEMOCRATS WOULD JUST GO UNCONTESTED IN.

WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING MORE OF THAT TREND.

DEMOCRATS WON VERY EASILY.

ESPECIALLY IN MAUI COUNTY.

HAD NINE DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS IN THE STATE TO START.

SENDING BACK NINE DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS.

>>Yunji: IT WAS INTERESTING.

>> I GOT CURIOUS BECAUSE I GOT A LITTLE THING SAYING THAT AIONA WAS HAVING A RALLY AT MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

IN MY MIND WAS MAUI TRADITIONAL PLACE FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO RALLY.

SO I WENT TO SEE WHO WOULD SHOW UP.

LOOKING FOR LINDA LINGLE OR FOLKS LIKE THAT.

HE HAD ABOUT 350 PEOPLE THERE.

SOME DEMOCRATS THAT I TALKED TO SAID, THAT'S PRETTY RESPECTABLE.

SAYING, IF YOU HAD SEEN THAT EARLY ON, BUT SO LATE, YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD A THOUSAND OR 2,000 PEOPLE THIS CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL ELECTION.

INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HE CAME ACROSS AND POINTS HE WAS DRIVING WITH ALL THE CORRUPTION CASES AND HE MADE SOME GOOD POINTS.

I THINK COLIN YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, THAT HAD MAYBE COME OUT WITH THAT MESSAGE AND HIT THAT HARDER MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN MORE TRACTION.

>> WHO HIT THAT HARD HOUSE CANDIDATES AND ENDED UP WINNING.

ONE OF THE EXAMPLES WAS IN DISTRICT 39, WHERE FORMER HSTA PRESIDENT CORY ROSENLEE RAN.

GOING UP TO THAT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT DISTRICT WAS LOCKED UP.

THAT WAS A TY CULLEN USED TO REPRESENT.

TWO DEMOCRATS WERE CHARGED WITH ACCEPTING BRIBES EARLIER THIS YEAR.

I THINK THAT REALLY HELPED THAT DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR.

AND PROBABLY JUST REPUBLICANS IN GENERAL.

HARPING ON THAT MESSAGE.

>> I THINK THE BEST WAY FOR REPUBLICANS TO HAVE SUCCESS IS TO GO AFTER DEMOCRATIC CORRUPTION.

PEOPLE I THINK DON'T LOVE THE HAWAII DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

FEEL LIKE THEY ARE STUCK WITH THE HAWAII DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WHEN REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD SUCCESS, IT MAINLY HAS BEEN THIS MESSAGE OF NOT ONLY BEING A LITTLE MORE BUSINESS‑FRIENDLY, BUT SAYING LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO GOVERN TRANSPARENCY.

NOT CORRUPT.

WE'VE ONLY HAD TWO REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.

WILLIAM QUINN AND LINDA LINGLE.

RAN ON "I'M NOT CORRUPT" PLATFORM.

I'M PRAGMATIC.

NOT CORRUPT.

I OFFER ALTERNATIVE.

THAT IS WHEN REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD SUCCESS.

TRY TO STATE OUTSIDE LOGICAL BATTLES HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY ON THE MAINLAND.

A LOT OF THESE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB DOING THAT.

SOME OF THEM MORE CONSERVATIVEN THAT THAN OTHERS.

PUT DAVID FOR EXAMPLE, CANDIDATE BEAT MATT LOPESTRI CONSERVATIVE END.

LOOK KURT FEVELLA RAN UNOPPOSED.

I DON'T THINK OF KURT FEVELLA PARTICULARLY IDEOLOGICALLY COLLECTIVE AT ALL.

IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, HE WAS RELATIVELY SUPPORTIVE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

HE FOCUS REALLY LOCAL ISSUES.

REALLY INTERESTED IN TRANSPARENCY.

I THINK THAT TENDS TO BE THE PATH TO VICTORY.

COULD DUKE AIONA HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY AND BEEN MORE SUCCESSFUL, I WAS CRITICAL OF HIS CAMPAIGN.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LACKLUSTER.

IF YOU LOOK AT ANDREA TUPOLA, CAMPAIGN WAS ANYTHING BUT LACKLUSTER FOUR YEARS AGO, DIDN'T DO THAT MUCH BETTER.

IS DUKE GOING TO RUN AGAIN?

I THINK IT'S TRUE PROBABLY RAN TO BLOCK BJ PENN AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> THAT'S WHY HE ENTERED SO LATE.

DIDN'T HAVE THE CAMPAIGN INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT UP.

HE MANAGED TO DO THAT BUT NEVER REALLY SEEMED TO ME LIKE HIS HEART WAS REALLY IN THIS RACE.

KIND OF THIS RULE OF THREE.

LOSE THREE TIMES, THEN YOU'RE KIND OF OUT.

VOTERS HAVE DECIDED THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SUPPORT YOU.

I EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DIFFERENT REPUBLICANS EMERGE.

I'M NOT SURE WHO GOING TO BE.

SURPRISED IF ANDRIA TUPOLA IS THAT PERSON.

I THINK IT WILL BE SOMEBODY ELSE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DUKE AGAIN.

>>Yunji: TALKING ABOUT REPUBLICANS SUCCESS.

>> THINKING THAT YES, THEY'VE DONE WELL.

BUT STILL ONLY A HANDFUL IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

HOW MUCH POWER OR HOW MUCH HOW THEY CAN REALLY GET DONE TO SOME TO THOSE IDEOLOGICAL ISSUES GIVEN THOSE NUMBERS?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

AS IT RIGHT NOW, CONTINUE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COMPROMISE.

WORK WITH THE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE IN POWER.

STAY THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP I THINK DOING WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING.

BEING MINORITY FOR SO LONG.

UNTIL THEY GET SOME SORT OF REAL POWER IN EITHER OF THOSE CHAMBERS.

>>Yunji: TALK ABOUT THE NONPARTISAN RACES.

HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL.

GOT THREE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS.

COMING TOMMY WATERS EASILY WON HIS RACE.

STAY COUNCIL CHAIR.

WE HAVE THREE NEWCOMERS THERE.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM THOSE THREE RACES.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE THOSE NEWCOMERS IS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN.

I DO THINK SINCE HAWAII MOVED TO THE NONPARTISAN RACES.

COUNCIL WHERE THE GOP WENT TO HIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO NOW, YOU WANT TO DIVIDE IT ALONG CONSERVATIVE, DEMOCRAT.

ANDRIA TUPOLA.

AUGIE TULBA.

VAL OKAMOTO.

WATERS KEPT THE CHAIR.

AS ANDREA GOING TO GO FOR THE CHAIR HERSELF?

CAN SHE BUILD A COALITION TO GET MAYBE IF NOT CHAIR, ONE OF THE COMMITTEE SEATS SINCE THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME RESHUFFLING WITH CAROL FUKUDA AND BRANDON ELEFANTE LEAVING.

YOU KNOW AGAIN, THAT NORTH SHORE RACE BETWEEN MATT AND SURFER MAKUA ROTHMAN, WIRE WON.

LOOK AT THE PRECINCTS WIRE KIND OF WON.

DECIDE WHERE HE LIVED.

ROTHMAN DID BETTER IN WAHIAWA AREA.

BUT KIND OF SURPRISING WHEREAS IN THE SENATE RACE, YOU KNOW, THAT RURAL PART OF NORTH SHORE, REALLY HELPED BRANTON.

MATT WIRE, SORT OF PROGRESSIVE IN THAT COUNCIL RACE, DID BETTER IN THOSE AREAS.

REALLY INTERESTING.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM THE COUNCIL I WAS LOOKING AT VAN OKIMOTO‑RON MENOR RACE.

RON MENOR WELL‑KNOWN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SERVED ON THE COUNCIL BEFORE.

POLITICIAN.

NOT A FRESH FACE.

SHE WAS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

YOUNGER VOICE THAN HE IS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, BUT MENOR DID HAVE HIS ISSUES WITH THE DUI YEARS AGO WHEN I SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH LOPESTRI AND HAR, I JUST WONDERED, DID SOME OF THAT PLAY INTO THE VOTER'S MEMORY BANK?

OH, YEAH.

HE GOT INTO TROUBLE YEARS AGO.

HE GOT ELECTED INTO OFFICE.

GOT PAST THAT.

WONDER IF THAT DIDN'T PLAY A PART.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT YOUR TAKE ON THAT NORTH SHORE RACE LOOKING AT MAKUA ROTHMAN HAD THE NAME RECOGNITION.

MATT WEIR CITY ADMINISTRATOR.

FIRST TIME CANDIDATE.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK MAYBE PEOPLE KNEW HIM.

AND I THINK HE CAME ACROSS VERY WELL.

SO YEAH.

THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IT.

I DON'T KNOW.

>>Yunji: LET'S TALK ABOUT CAROL FUKUDA SEAT.

CHIEF OF STAFF TRYING TO RUN.

BASICALLY, SAYING I'M GOING TO BE JUST LIKE MY BOSS.

RIGHT?

TYLER DOS SANTOS‑TAM.

>> DEMOCRAT.

CROWDED PRIMARY.

TRACY TOGUCHI DID WELL.

TAM WAS THE PRIOR CHAIR DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THE TRADE UNIONS.

>> TOO HARD TO BEAT.

TONY MONEY.

WASN'T SURPRISE HE WON.

RAN AGAINST CAROL FUKUDA BEFORE.

ESTABLISHED HIS NAME IN THAT DISTRICT.

NOT SO SURPRISING BUT ONE THING I'LL POINT OUT, I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THESE RACES, PEOPLE WHO WERE OFFICERS MANAGERS TEND DO REALLY WELL WHEN THEY RUN FOR OFFICE.

CONNECTED TO CONSTITUENTS.

KNOW THE ISSUES.

SO I THINK SHE DID GREAT.

IF WE'RE RUNNING AGAINST FORMER CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY, JUST BARELY LOSE, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT RESULT.

FOR THE COUNCIL AT LARGE, OTHER INTERESTING THING IS THAT ALTHOUGH WE SHIFTED THESE SEATS, THERE WASN'T AN IDEOLOGICAL SHIFT.

MATT WEIR PROGRESSIVE.

TAKE TSUNEYOSHI'S SEAT.

WHO WAS A CONSERVATIVE.

TYLER DOS SANTOS‑TAM MODERATE.

CAROL FUKUDA WAS A MODERATE.

THEN YOU HAVE VAL OKAMOTO.

TAKING SEAT.

SWAPPING PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE.

I THINK IDEOLOGICAL STAYS SAME.

TOMMY WATERS GOING TO BE THE CHAIR.

>> IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES ALWAYS PLAY THAT HUGE OF A ROLE IN THE COUNCIL.

SAW THAT COME OUT DURING COVID, WITH MASK AND VACCINE MANDATES A LOT OTHER THING, WAY THEY DIVIDE THEMSELVES, DEPENDS ISSUE BY ISSUE HOW THEY GO.

>>Yunji: HAVE TO CHUCKLE BECAUSE I WAS COVERING CITY HALL WHEN THEY MADE THAT SWITCH.

USED TO BE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

THREE COUNTY CITY COUNCILMEMBERS SWITCHED PARTIES, MIDTERM, PATSY MINK WENT OUT THERE AND SAID, THIS IS WRONG.

HAD THEM RECALLED.

AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT WAS A NONPARTISAN RACE.

THANK YOU PATSY BECAUSE I THINK IT, TALKING SEWERS AND ROADS AND YOU KNOW, TRASH AND I THINK THAT WAS GOOD.

>> BLAZE DOES BRING UP A GREAT POINT.

PLACE WHERE REPUBLICANS CAN WIN.

IN A WAY THAT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY WIN IN THESE BROAD NUMBERS AT LEGISLATURE.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING THAT IS TERRIBLE ABOUT HAVING THAT R NEXT TO YOUR NAME.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE R, RUNNING NONPARTISAN RACE, CAN YOU DO OKAY.

LOOK AT OUR MAYOR.

MAYOR BLANGIARDI IS A CONSERVATIVE.

ADMITTED THAT HE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP VERY CONTROVERSIAL WHEN HE WAS RUNNING.

PRETTY POPULAR MAYOR.

WHEN YOU'RE IN THOSE NONPARTISAN RACES, YOU CAN DO OKAY AS LONG AS I THINK YOU DON'T HAVE A PREVIOUS RECORD OF BEING A PARTISAN POLITICIAN.

THAT CAN MAKE YOUR LIFE A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT.

BLANGIARDI DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

>>Yunji: GOOD POINT.

BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING EARLIER HOW BISEN USE TO BE LINGLE ADMINISTRATION.

ARE BEING GOVERNOR.

HAVING TO PUSH OFF THIS NOTION ARE YOU A REPUBLIC?

CONSERVATIVE?

IF THIS HAD BEEN A PARTISAN RACE AND RAN AS A REPUBLICAN DON'T THINK HE WOULD HAVE WON.

EMPHASIZED I'VE BEEN VOTING SINCE I WAS 18.

HAVEN'T VOTED ANY POLITICAL PARTY.

DIDN'T PLAY AS BIG OF A FACTOR AS IT MIGHT HAVE IF IT WERE A PARTISAN RACE.

>>Yunji: STICK WITH YOU AS PIVOT TO THE STATE WIDE RACES.

NO SURPRISE, SENATORS SCHATZ KEEPING HIS SEAT ALONG WITH ED CASE.

HAWAII DOES HAVE A NEW MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

OF COURSE MAUI COUNTY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JILL TOKUDA RACE AND WHAT KIND OF CONGRESSMAN PERSON YOU'RE EXPECTING HER TO BE?

>> HELP THAT SHE HAS THAT STATE LEVEL EXPERIENCE.

THAT IS AS LEGISLATOR TAKING THAT TO CONGRESS, TOTALLY DIFFERENT GAME.

TOTALLY DIFFERENT DYNAMIC.

HERE, IN THE STATE, YOU'VE GOT THE POWER.

YOU'RE THE DEMOCRATS.

GOING TO CONGRESS, I THINK SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO ADAPT WORK WITH THAT CHANGING POLITICAL LINES.

HAS SEVERAL EXPERIENCED DEMOCRATS TO WORK WITH WHEN SHE GETS OVER TO WASHINGTON.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

>>Yunji: I MEAN, MIZUNO I THEIR OWN 'CALLS HER POLITICAL DAUGHTER.

NO SECRET MISHAS A MENTOR IN WASHINGTON.

>> SHE'LL FIT IN.

JUST FINE.

SHE WORKED REALLY HARD.

REALLY TOUGH DURING THE PRIMARY WHEN SHE WAS TARGET OF SuperPAC.

FOR BOTH SHE AND SYLVIA.

BUT SHE WORKED VERY HARD.

SHE WAS JUST GOING, I THINK SHE TOLD ME ONE MORNING TOOK THE FERRY FROM MAUI TO LANAI.

TO GO WORK THE CROWD.

IN LANAI.

DID REALLY TRY AND WORK THAT DURING THE GENERAL.

YOU KNOW, GOING BACK TO THE PRIMARY, ALL THE NEGATIVE ADS WE SAW I KNOW ONE QUESTION THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WAS HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK BECAUSE THE SuperPAC SUPPORTED JOSH GREEN WORKED VERY HARD TO DEFEAT SYLVIA LUKE.

IS THERE GOING TO BE SOME STRIFE GOING FORWARD IN THE ADMINISTRATION WHEN THE UNIONS WANT SOMETHING.

I DON'T KNOW.

>>Yunji: INTERESTING.

ALSO THINKING ABOUT GOING BACK TO C.D. 2.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HOW JILL TOKUDA AND HOW LONG SHE COULD STAY THERE.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF QUESTION TRIED TO MAKE THAT ISSUE.

TO SAY IF I GET THE SEAT, I'M A LIFE.

NOT GOING TO TRY TO RUN FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

SHE HASN'T EVEN BEEN SWORN IN.

ALREADY THINKING IS SHE GOING TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.

>> I WAS GOING SAY THAT WE BROUGHT UP HOW SHE IS MAZIE HIRONO'S POLITICAL DAUGHTER.

I THINK SHE'LL BE IN THAT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AS LONG AS MAZIE HIRONO IS A SENATOR.

OBVIOUSLY BEING GROOMED TO EVENTUALLY TAKE OVER THAT SENATE SEAT.

STILL MEANS SHE'S I GUESS OFFICE IN A WAY.

SO SHE MAY BE A LIFER TOO.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT C.D.

2 SEAT?

SEEN TULSI GABBARD.

KAI KAHELE NOW JILL TOKUDA.

>> SO MUCH VOLATILITY IN THAT SEAT.

UNUSUAL.

TENDS TO BE EXTREMELY STABLE.

I AGREE WITH WHAT BLAZE SAYS.

I THINK JILL TOKUDA WILL BE IN CONGRESS AS LONG AS SHE GETS RE‑ELECTED.

GO TO THE SENATE IF SHE AS A CHANCE.

THIS DEBATE ARE YOU GOING TO STAY IN CONGRESS FOREVER IS REALLY SILLY.

STATE WE WANT THE BEST AND MOST EXPERIENCED PEOPLE IN THE SENATE.

TWO SENATORS.

TINY STATE.

GET TWO SENATORS WE WANT THE BEST PEOPLE IN THOSE SEAT.

IF SHE GETS OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR SENATE.

DETAILED ORIENTED LEGISLATOR.

FAMOUS LOVING TO TALK ABOUT THE DETAILS OF STATE BUDGET.

SOMEONE YOU COULD GO UP AND ASK, BECAUSE I HAVE, JILL, COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS CIP PROJECT WORKS?

SHE'LL SAY, I'LL TELL YOU.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE?

SHE IS SOMEONE WHO ENJOY THOSE DETAILS OF LEGISLATION.

NOT INTERESTED IN CREATING NATIONAL MEDIA.

WANTS TO STAY IN WASHINGTON.

DON'T THINK WE CAN EXPECT HER TO TRY TO COME BACK TO HAWAII AND RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

LIKE KAI KAHELE.

GOING TO BE THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

I THINK SHE'S WANTED THIS JOB FOR A LONG TIME.

REALLY EFFECTIVE.

I THINK REALLY HIGHLY OF JILL TOKUDA.

>>Yunji: WATCHING HER MONEY CHAIR OF THE SENATE AND GETTING BOOT, BECAUSE OF HER VOTE ON RAIL, IT JUST WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HER KIND OF RECOVER AND THEN WHEN HE WAS DEBATING ABOUT JUMPING INTO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RACE, THEN HAD TO MAKE A STRATEGIC MOVE, WAS ABLE TO LAND WHERE SHE DID, IN C.D.

2, I MEAN, IT'S BEEN FASCINATING TO KIND OF WATCH HER KIND OF PICK HERSELF UP.

>> NOT FORGET SHE DID START THIS RACE RUNNING FOR LG.

BLAZE SWITCHED OVER AND DECIDED THAT ONCE SHE SAW KAI KAHELE EXIT, THIS WAS HER MOMENT.

>> YEAH.

SEEMS LIKE A LIFETIME AGO.

>> IT DOES.

RAN FOR LG.

KAI THING.

I THINK THAT SORT OF STARTED DOMINOES WITH HER GETTING OUT.

THAT MEANT SYLVIA LUKE HAD A CHANCE TO GET IN.

SHE ENDED UP WINNING.

SORT OF FASCINATING THE PLAN, THOSE TWO ALSO HAD A RELATIONSHIP IN THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY WERE BOTH CHAIRS OF THE MONEY COMMITTEES.

>>Yunji: YEAH.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT JILL TOKUDA.

I FOUND INTERESTING.

CHECKING HOUSE RACES ON THE MAINLAND.

TO SEE WHAT THE BALANCE IS POWERS IS GOING TO BE.

ALSO SAW A LOT OF REALLY PROMINENT MOSTLY FEMALE LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON ALREADY TWEETING OUT CONGRATULATIONS, TRYING TO EMBRACE HER, BRING HER INTO THE SORT OF MORE LIBERAL FOLD OF THE PARTY.

I EXPECT HER TO BE A CHAMPION OF WOMEN'S ISSUES.

>> DEFINITELY.

WE'RE SEEING WITH ROE VS. WADE AND KINDS OF ISSUES HAPPENING AT THE COURTS RIGHT NOW.

I THINK A LOT OF THE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE HAVING TO STAND THE GROUND AND MAYBE PUSH A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE LEFT.

HAVING TO DEFEND SOME OF THOSE RIGHTS AND MAKE SURE, THIS IS WHAT I STAND FOR IN THE FACE OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITH THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND ALSO SEEING TOO, TRICKLE DOWN TO OUR STATE LEGISLATURE, SOME CANDIDATES, SOME OF THE CANDIDATES GOT ELECTED IN MAUI COUNTY DISTRICTS, FOR STATE RACES.

I SEE THEM PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS.

I'M GOING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST OPPRESSIVE REPUBLICAN AGENDA.

MIND STATE LEVEL AND CONGRESSIONAL LEVEL.

JILL TOKUDA IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THAT SORT OF STANCE TOO.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PRIORITIES WILL BE ON THE STATE LEVEL COMES BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE WE HAVE?

REAPPORTIONMENT MEANT WE HAD A LOT OF SORT OF PEOPLE MOVING AROUND.

BUT FOR THE MOST WE KNOW A LOT OF THOSE PLAYERS.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THEM TAKAI ON?

>> TALK ONE WHAT JILL TOKUDA IS GOING TO DO WASHINGTON D.C.

I AGREE WITH WHAT COLLEEN SAID.

I THINK SHE'S A PRAGMATIST.

DON'T THINK SHE CAN EXPECT THEY ARE TO JOIN THE SQUAD OR LEFT LEANING PART OF CONGRESS.

INTERESTED IN REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE.

PROBABLY GOING PRETTY MAINSTREAM DEMOCRAT.

WHAT STATE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO DO, WORK WOULD THE GOVERNOR TO THE SOLVE THE STADIUM PROBLEM OF A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THINK THROUGH THE GREEN FEE.

ONLY CONCRETE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS THAT WE HEARD FROM JOSH GREEN.

WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

THIS IS THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW, WE WOULD TAX TOURISTS WHEN THEY ARRIVE ON THE ISLAND.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS QUITE POPULAR.

BUT IT MIGHT BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PUSH BACK ALREADY FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM TOURISM COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

SO HOW THEY'RE GOING TO NAVIGATE THAT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

WHAT YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN, WITH THIS SESSION, THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY CAN PUSH BACK AGAINST THE AGENDA.

AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM IS SET UP WHERE THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RIVALS.

>> SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU MOVE TO THE FIFTH FLOOR OFFICERS.

MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT YOU HAD FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DAVID IGE DID.

GET UP THERE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THOSE FRIENDS ARE NOT RETURNING YOUR CALLS ANY MORE.

SO GOVERNOR ELECT GREEN IS GOING TO HAVE A SHORT HONEYMOON.

I THINK LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH THEY HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM, HOW MUCH THEY CAN PUSH BACK.

AND SO I THINK THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE THE THEME.

NOT GOING TO GIVE ANY GROUND.

PRETTY DISCIPLINED LEGISLATURE.

ISN'T NECESSARILY KNOWN AS BEING GREEN ALLIES.

SCOTT SAIKI STAYS SPEAKER.

POLITICAL THEMES.

USUALLY POLICY ISSUES AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PRE‑K EDUCATION, I THINK A LOT OF THIS IS GOING TO BE THEM FEELING EACH OTHER OUT AND TRYING TO SEE HOW MUCH CAN JOSH GREEN USE HIS PUBLIC POPULARITY AND PUBLIC SUPPORT TO PUSH BACK.

ONE THING THAT GREEN IS GOOD AT, DAVID IGE WAS NOT GOOD AT, IS USING THE BULLY PULPIT.

PUSH LEGISLATURE TO EMBRACE HIS AGENDA.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP HASN'T HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT SINCE NEIL ABERCROMBIE.

SEE HOW THEY MANAGE MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE GOVERNOR NOT TO AFRAID TO GET OUT IN PUBLIC AND CRITICIZE THEM.

>>Yunji: WHERE SYLVIA WOULD COME IN.

KEY ASSET GOVERNOR GREEN, TRY TO LEVERAGE HER RELATIONSHIP IN THAT NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

>> DEFINITELY.

BACK DOOR NEGOTIATOR HANDLING THINGS BEHIND THE SCENES.

WHILE THE GOVERNOR COMES BACK OUT WITH BIG STICK STARTS WHACK THEM OFF THE HEAD IN PUBLIC DON'T PUSH HIS POLICY AGENDA.

I DO THINK WE'LL PROBABLY SEE IT ON BOTH FRONTS WITH HIM PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE PUBLIC TO PUSH THOSE THINGS.

PUSH LAWMAKERS DO IT.

SYLVIA TRYING TO SHEPHERD BILLS THROUGH LEGISLATURE GOING COMMITTEE.

BY COMMITTEE.

TRYING TO MAKE SURE THINGS STAY INTACT.

I THINK THE FIRST CLUE WILL GET ABOUT HOW THEY REALLY FARING WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

PROBABLY BE WITH THE SENATE WHEN THEY GO TO DO THEIR APPOINTMENTS TO ALL THE DIRECTOR POSITIONS.

THAT IS I THINK WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO HAVE SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOING.

IN THIS VERY FIRST SESSION.

THAT THEY HAVE.

GET CABINET FILLED.

>>Yunji: WHAT I HEARD TOO IS DEMOCRATS CAUCUSING TODAY, WHO IS GOING TO BE THE NEW MONEY CHAIR.

WHO IS GOING TO BE THE NEW SYLVIA LUKE.

THEN SEE HOW THAT PERSON WORKS WITH.

>>Yunji: WHAT THAT PERSON'S RELATIONSHIP.

THIS ADMINISTRATION GOT A LOT ON THEIR PLATE.

RED HILL, THEY HAVE STADIUM, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT,.

>> PRISON.

>>Yunji: THE PRISON.

ALSO HAVE TMT.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF CONVERSATION.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING AS PUBLIC COLIN TALKED ABOUT EARLY WIN.

WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY GET THEM?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>>Yunji: I MEAN, THEY'RE ALL REALLY TOUGH ISSUES.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

>> WELL, EARLY WIN FOR THE GOVERNOR HAS TO BE THE STADIUM.

HAS TO BE SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

THINK THEY CAN MAKE AN EARLY WIN WORKING SOME COMPROMISE OUT AROUND THIS GREEN FEE.

GOING TO BE A VERY DELICATE LEGAL ISSUE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLIC SUPPORT.

I THINK FOLKS DO WANT THAT EARLY WIN.

LOVE TO SEE EARLY WIN.

IN THE INTEREST OF LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR SOMETHING AROUND PRE‑K EDUCATION.

KICKING AROUND FOR YEARS.

GOVERNOR IN PARTICULAR, NEEDS ONE OF THESE.

MORE THAN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE POLITICAL DYNAMIC ARE GOING TO COME INTO PLAY.

LEGISLATURE CAN CONTINUE TO PUSH BACK.

IT COSTS THEM MUCH LESS THAN IT DOES FOR THE GOVERNOR.

HE DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

AND THEN IF HE DOESN'T SUCCEED EARLY ON, FOCUS, JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL.

GRIDLOCK.

GREEN CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE MORE THAN IGE.

THAT IS GREEN FEE ISSUE, BECAUSE THAT WAS CENTRAL ONE OF THE FEW CONCRETE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS HE KEPT TALKING ABOUT DURING THE CAMPAIGN, VERY CLEAR PROPOSAL.

CAN SAY THIS WAS MINE.

I DELIVERED IT.

WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF THAT IS WHAT THEY FOCUS ON TRYING TO PUSH THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE IN THE FIRST SESSION.

>>Yunji: AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT COULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL WHEN ASKED GOVERNOR IGE HAS SAID THAT THERE IS NO MECHANISM TO DO THAT.

YOU CAN'T COLLECT MONIES AT AIRPORT THAT IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR AIRPORT.

DO YOU CHASE DOWN TOURISTS AT THEIR HOTEL?

WHERE DO YOU GATHER FUNDS.

>> INTERESTING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT GREEN FEE SPEAKS TO ANOTHER ISSUE.

PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTED PARTICULAR IN MAUI COUNTY.

THAT IS THE TOURISM IMPACT.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT PERHAPS GREEN FEE SOMETHING TO PURSUE BECAUSE AT LEAST PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IN COUNTY THAT YOU WRITE IN, WOULD FEEL LIKE THAT THEY HAVE A WIN.

HAVE A VOICE.

>> >> YEAH.

DEPENDS TOO BECAUSE I THINK THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS COUNTIES AND VOTERS HAVE SEEN SO MANY TIMES THE FUNDING GET FUNNELED TO OAHU INSTEAD NEIGHBOR ISLAND CAUSES.

FIRST QUESTION HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT?

SEE THE MONEY?

SAW T.A.T., EACH COUNTIES, SHARES THAT THEY CONTRIBUTED WERE TAKEN AWAY.

GIVEN TO THE STATE.

AND STATE SAID OKAY, YOU GUYS IN THE COUNTY CAN MAKE YOUR OWN T.A.T.

WE DID IN MAUI COUNTY.

I THINK THERE'S SOME FRUSTRATION COUNTY LEVEL THERE'S ALL OF THESE FEES LEVIED AND A LOT OF IT COMES BACK FROM MAUI COUNTY VERY POPULAR TOURISM INDUSTRY.

OAHU FAR SURPASSES ANYBODY ELSE OF COURSE.

BUT MAUI COUNTY PROBABLY SECOND IN TERMS OF VISITORS SEEING AND TOURISM REVENUE.

ESPECIALLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

GOING TO WANT TO KNOW WHERE IS THAT MONEY GOING?

ARE WE GOING TO SEE IT?

BENEFIT FROM THAT?

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT THE LEGISLATURE PRIORITIZES?

WE TALKED BRIEFLY WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

KNOW THAT ABORTION IS PART OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

PROTECTED RIGHT HERE IN HAWAII.

THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS ABOUT MAKING IT EVEN STRONGER.

DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO TAKE THAT ON?

>> I THINK LEGISLATURE WILL NEED TO DO SOMETHING IN THOSE AREAS.

ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAVE BEEN SEEING OTHER STATES PASS SOME LAWS TO TRY TO TARGET PEOPLE THAT CROSS STATE LINES.

THAT WOULD BE ONE THING THEY DO.

BROADER POLICY AGENDA, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR, NEW GOVERNOR IS GOING TO WANT TO DO.

BUT LEGISLATURE ALWAYS HAS OWN THINGS.

OWN COMMUNITY CHAIRS COME UP WITH THEY WANT TO PUSH FOR.

ALMOST NEVER IN LINE WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS.

SOMETIMES WHAT THE SENATE AND HOUSE WANT.

DON'T ALIGN EITHER.

GOING TO AGAIN, TRY TO TACKLE SOME OF THOSE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT EVERY YEAR.

HOUSING HOMELESSNESS, FOOD SECURITY.

ONE PLACE WHERE THEY WILL ALIGN THOUGH I THINK PROBABLY IS THAT K‑12 ISSUE THAT BANDIED ABOUT.

HOW TO GET MORE CLASSROOMS OPEN.

>>Yunji: THEY HAVE TO HAVE, HAVE TO, BUILD HOUSING.

JUST HAVE TO.

GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE JUST MET WITH WILLIAM AILA AT DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND WE'LL SEE WHO TAKES HIS PLACE OR IF HE'S RETAINED BY GREEN.

BUT GOVERNOR IGE SAID THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

THEY JUST APPROPRIATED TO HELP NATIVE HAWAIIANS GET ON SOME LAND.

TALKING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS, LEASING ACRE PLOT FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AS OPPOSED TO COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE.

THEY REALLY, REALLY HAVE TO GET HOUSING OUT TO THE PEOPLE.

WE'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG.

IT'S ABOUT JUST BEEN, WATCH MAYOR WRIGHT HOUSING PROJECT FALL APART.

AND WE'RE WATCHING RAIL TAKE SHAPE.

AND WE'RE HEARING ABOUT ALL OF THESE PROPOSALS THAT ARE COMING UP FROM WAIPAHU, TO MOILIILI, AND SAYING OKAY, WHERE IS THE RAIL ROUTE?

WHERE IS THE T.O.D.?

AND ARE WE GOING TO KEEP TO THAT LINE?

JUST GOING TO BRANCH OUT WHEREVER WE CAN?

>> ONE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION, I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE A PRIORITY, INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE ANTI‑CORRUPTION MEASURES.

COMMISSION VERY DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS MEASURES CORRUPTION.

DIDN'T GET A LOT OF ATTENTION IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

REPUBLICANS DID TALK ABOUT IT MY SENSE USUALLY LEGISLATURE DOESN'T LIKE TO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THOSE ISSUES.

WHETHER THEY EMBRACE SOME OF THEM OR KIND OF GINGERLY WALK AROUND THEM AND LET THEM DRY DIE IN COMMITTEE INTERESTING TO SEE.

INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE GREEN ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS THEM OR KIND OF LETS THEM GO AWAY AS GOOD IDEAS WELL MEANING GOOD IDEAS BUT NOT SOMETHING REALLY GOING TO GET BEHIND AND PUSH.

>>Yunji: THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT TERM LIMITS.

TALKING ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FUNDRAISE DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SOME OF THOSE RESTRICTIONS MAY BE HURT THE INCUMBENT.

PROBABLY NOT THAT EXCITED TO TAKE THAT ON.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S PARTIALLY.

I DON'T THINK THE CORRUPTION PLAYED AS BIG ROLE AS IN THIS ELECTION AS IT COULD HAVE.

REALLY BIG SCANDALS INVOLVING LAWMAKERS.

>> WE DID SEE SOME OF IT PLAY A ROLE CHARTER AMENDMENTS MAUI COUNTY.

PUBLIC OFFICIALS PROVIDE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE IS NOT BE INVOLVED DIRECT INTEREST IN.

OVERWHELMING PASSED.

THINK ABOUT SCANDALS AND BRIBERY ISSUES VOTING FOR THAT KIND OF ISSUE.

>> WHY DID MAUI COUNTY HAVE SO MANY?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE ALL ASKING OURSELVES.

>> LOOKED AT BALLOTS.

IT WAS A LOT.

HAPPENS EVERY TEN YEARS, CHARTER COMMISSION, GROUP OF CITIZENS GO THROUGH THE WHOLE CHART.

WHAT ARE THE WAYS THAT WE CAN UPDATE IT.

HANDFUL OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS PEOPLE CAN STOMACH EVERY ELECTION.

THIS WAS OVERWHELMING.

13.

>> OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE CHARTER.

THAT'S DONE EVERY DECADE.

>> THAT MIGHT HAVE TURNED PEOPLE OFF TO VOTING.

GO BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED, HAVE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LEFT.

TALKING ABOUT THE LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

MAUI COUNTY HAD THE LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT.

PERHAPS SOME PEOPLE OPENED BALLOTS I DON'T KNOW.

PUT IN THIS IN THE RECYCLE.

>> VERY POSSIBLE.

SHAME BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME REALLY BIG IMPORTANT PROPOSALS ON THIS BALLOT.

ONE TO CREATE A SEPARATE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

ONE TO CREATE OIWI RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT BILINGUAL.

COMMUNITY WATER AUTHORITY.

OVERSEE WATER OPERATION.

POSSIBLY PURSUE LEASES STATE CURRENTLY GIVING OUT TO EAST MAUI IRRIGATION THAT CONTROLS THE HUGE IRRIGATION SYSTEM THAT USED TO FEED THE SUGAR PLANTATION.

>> BIG PROPOSALS KIND OF GOT A LITTLE LOST IN ALL OF THESE OTHER AMENDMENTS.

>>Yunji: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE WHY THE TURNOUT WAS SO LOW AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET PEOPLE PARTICIPATE?

WE MAKE IT SO EASY, NOT WE, STATE MAKES TO EASY.

SEND IT TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> VERY SAD.

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS DISTRUST OF THE SYSTEM.

THAT IS THE ONE THING, OUR ELECTION SYSTEM IS, THAT IS OUR DEMOCRACY.

I MEAN, YOU GET OUT THERE AND YOU VOTE.

WHETHER YOU BOUNCE INCUMBENTS, I MEAN THAT'S JUST THE PROCESS.

IT IS SAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO CHECK THAT BOX.

DROP IT OFF OR MAIL IT.

>>Yunji: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

>> GETTING PEOPLE, I THINK GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET PEOPLE TO TRUST THE GOVERNMENT AGAIN.

THAT TRUST IN GOVERNMENT I THINK PLAYS A HUGE ROLE IN PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACY.

FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK IF THEY DON'T SEE HOW THEY COULD CHANGE ANYTHING WITH THEIR ONE VOTE, THEY MIGHT NOT DECIDE TO VOTE AT ALL.

THAT IS SORT OF SNOWBALLS PROBLEM INTO A BUNCH OF PEOPLE NOT VOTING.

NOTHING CHANGING BECAUSE NOBODY IS VOTED.

>>Yunji: I MEAN, GIVEN HIS POPULARITY, WITH JOSH GREEN CANDIDATE PEOPLE WERE EXCITED ABOUT, DID THEY JUST FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT HE WAS GOING TO WIN ANY WAY SO WHY BOTHER?

WHAT DO YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THAT?

NOTED EARLIER VERY HIGH APPROVAL RATING.

DONE VERY WELL.

RAISES A LOT OF MONEY.

WON THE PRIMARY HANDILY.

WHAT HAPPENED.

>> I THINK IT WAS COMFORT.

PEOPLE OFTEN SAID THAT JOSH GREEN SUPPORT WAS WIDE.

BUT IT WASN'T ALL THAT DEEP.

I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY TRUE WHICH IS WHY I THINK THAT HE WON'T HAVE A VERY LONG HONEYMOON.

DID LIKE HIS EXPERIENCE DURING COVID.

DON'T HAVE STRONG AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH HIM THAN PERHAPS SOME CANDIDATES IN THE PAST.

WHY I THINK NEEDS TO GET EARLY WINS.

VOTER TURNOUT CAN'T MAKE IT EASIER BUT MORE EXCITING.

MORE COMPETITIVE RACE.

REVISIT HOW WE PUBLICLY FINANCE CAMPAIGNS.

THERE'S A LOT FUN WAYS YOU COULD DO THAT.

I THINK WOULD LEAD TO MANY MORE CHALLENGERS.

LEAD TO MORE ROBUST DEMOCRACY.

>>Yunji: GIVEN PEOPLE MAKE THOSE RULES.

>> THAT'S ALWAYS THE PROBLEM.

>>Yunji: GOING BACK TO SOME OF THE CORRUPTION ANTI‑CORRUPTION MEASURES THAT YOU BROUGHT UP.

DO YOU THINK THAT ANY OF THOSE WILL BE TAKEN UP IN ERNEST.

>> TERM LIMITS WILL NOT PRETTY SURE.

DON'T EXPECT ANY OF THEM TO PASS.

I DON'T THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS MUCH INTEREST IN PASSING THEM.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THEM BUT I THINK THEY'RE ALL GOING TO END UP NOT QUITE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE COMMITTEES.

>>Yunji: GOT THE INAUGURATION COMING UP.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOK TO HEAR FROM JOSH GREEN IN THAT SPEECH?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT THE REST THE STATE WANTS TO HEAR, HEARD WHAT HE SAID ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

HEARD A LOT OF THE PROMISES I THINK PUBLIC WANTS SPECIFICS NOW HOW EXACTLY GOING TO EXECUTE THIS AGENDA.

BUILD 10,000 MORE HOMES.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MANAGE TO GET THIS GREEN FEE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT?

GET MORE PRE‑K CLASSROOMS.

THINGS THAT WE PUBLIC AND LAWMAKERS EXPECT TO HEAR.

>>Yunji: LEAVE IT THERE.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, CATHERINE CRUZ FROM HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO AND BLAZE LOVELL OF HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT, FROM THE MAUI NEWS COLLEEN UECHI AND POLITICAL ANALYST COLIN MOORE.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS PARASITE OFTEN HIDDEN IN UNWASHED PRODUCE.

NOW THERE’S SOME NEW RESEARCH ABOUT WHERE ELSE IT COULD BE HIDING.

WE’LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT NEXT THURSDAY.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, ALOHA!