DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES TO FILE PAPERS TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN THE 2024 ELECTIONS FAST APPROACHING.

HAWAII'S PRIMARY ELECTION IS AUGUST 10.

CONTESTS ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR INCLUDE U.S. SENATE SEAT FOUR SEATS IN CONGRESS.

64 SEATS IN LEGISLATURE, TWO RACES FOR COUNTY MAYOR, COUNTY COUNCIL RACES, AND THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING?

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

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

I'M DARYL HUFF.

THE POLITICAL SIGNS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE STATE IS THE CLEARANCE SIGNAL THAT ELECTION SEASON IS ONCE AGAIN UPON US.

JUNE 4TH IS THE DEADLINE FOR POLITICAL HOPEFULS TO FILE PAPERS TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN HAWAII.

THAT MEANS BY NEXT WEEK, THE FIELDS WILL BE SET FOR OUR PRIMARY ELECTIONS HAPPENING ON AUGUST 10TH.

SO WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL RACES THIS YEAR AND WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VOTING PROCESS?

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 YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

COLIN MOORE IS A PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE MATSUNAGA INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AS WELL AS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR WITH UHERO, THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ECONOMIC RESEARCH ORGANIZATION.

HE RECEIVED HIS PH.D. FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

SCOTT NAGO IS THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII OFFICE OF ELECTIONS.

HE HAS OVER 25 YEARS OF ELECTIONS EXPERIENCE.

HE RECEIVED HIS DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

HE WAS APPOINTED TO HIS CURRENT ROLE IN 2010.

ASHLEY MIZUO IS HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO’S GOVERNMENT REPORTER.

SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED AS A PODCAST PRODUCER FOR CROOKED MEDIA AND AS THE CITY HALL REPORTER AT THE HONOLULU STAR‑ADVERTISER.

SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED ON OAHU AND HOLDS DEGREES FROM LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS‑SPRINGFIELD.

DAN NAKASO IS THE CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF AT THE HONOLULU STAR‑ADVERTISER.

HE HAS BEEN AN EDITOR AND REPORTER IN HAWAII FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

BEFORE REPORTING IN HAWAII, HE WORKED AT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER AND SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS.

HE IS A GRADUATE OF SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY.

LET'S START TONIGHT.

WE HAD CONVICTION OF DONALD TRUMP TODAY.

BIG NEWS.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO HAVE AN AFFECT ON THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND OUR ELECTIONS THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, GOING TO MAKE IT MORE CRAZY THAN EVER.

MEAN, TESTING CONSTITUTION IN A WAY NEVER HAD TO TEST IT BEFORE.

NOW HAVE A CONVICTED FELON LIKELY TO BE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT.

REPUBLICAN NOMINEE GOING TO BE WILD.

I MEAN, THAT IS ABOUT ALL I CAN SAY.

WAS THIS CONVICTION REALLY GOING TO BE A GAME‑CHANGER?

PROBABLY NOT.

WE'RE SO POLARIZED PEOPLE ARE SO DUG IN FROM POLLING I'VE SEEN, 6% OF TRUMP VOTERS WILLING TO RECONSIDER THEIR VOTE.

BUT MOST OF THOSE ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SWITCH TO JOE BIDEN.

ONLY ABOUT 1%.

DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE POLLS.

>>Daryl: AROUND COUNTRY TALKING ABOUT EXACTLY THAT.

MARGIN VOTERS MIGHT MOVE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE'RE NOT TALKING PRIMARY ELECTION IN HAWAII.

WHAT DO YOU GET A SENSE OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN HAWAII?

GOING TO BE A FACTOR AT ALL?

>> I THINK SO.

FIRST BIDEN VERSUS TRUMP ELECTION, PEOPLE HEEDED CALL THAT CANDIDATE TRUMP WAS MAKING IGNORE THE MAIL‑IN BALLOTS.

DON'T SHOW UP EARLY.

MONITOR VOTING PROCESS, ALL ACROSS HAWAII THAT YEAR, LONG LINES GOING PAST THE SCHEDULED 7:00 P.M. CLOSURE.

AND WE WENT LONGER THAN SCOTT KNOW, THAT AFFECTED OUR ABILITY TO TELL VOTERS WHO WAS WINNING AND ALL THE OTHER DOWN BATTLE RACES AS WELL.

>>Daryl: AFFECTED PROCESS OF THE ELECTIONS.

CERTAIN EXTENT.

HAVE YOU BEEN LOOKING FOR REACTION TO THIS TRUMP THING TODAY?

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING FROM PEOPLE?

>> SPOKE WITH THE GOVERNOR TODAY.

AND HE TALKED ABOUT HOW HE SAW THE VERDICT GOING INTO ELECTION SEASON.

>> FACTOR AND PEOPLE WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION TO IT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I FOUND REALLY INTERESTING SO FAR ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WITHIN LOCALLY, IS DURING THE CAUCUSES FOR BOTH PARTIES, HAWAII DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAD ONE OF THE MOST UNCOMMITTED VOTES IN THE COUNTRY.

WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY INTERESTING.

>>Daryl: THAT'S THE RESISTANCE TO BIDEN BECAUSE OF PALESTINE.

>> YEAH.

ONLY ABOUT 1500 RESIDENTS CASTED BALLOTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS THIS YEAR.

IN COMPARISON 2016, 33,000 DEMOCRATS HAD VOTED IN CAUCUS.

INTERESTING THE PARTICIPATION AND ABOUT YOU LOOK ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, 97% OF REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR TRUMP IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

GRANTED ACTUALLY KIND OF COMPETITION THERE BETWEEN SORT OF BETWEEN REPUBLICAN NOMINEES BUT YEAH.

>>Daryl: SCOTT NAGO MAIN THING REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING AND TRUMP WAS SAYING SETTING UP THIS VERDICT WAS YOU CAN'T TRUST THE JURY SYSTEM OUT HERE.

MANHATTAN.

JURORS ARE BIASED.

>> JUDGE IS BIASED.

>> PROSECUTOR OUT TO GET ME.

BIDEN IS PLAYING A ROLE.

BRINGS STARK ATTENTION TO OUR INSTITUTIONS.

>> SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL AS ELECTIONS OFFICER THAT YOU'RE KIND OF ON THE SPOTLIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS KIND OF SUSPICION.

>> NOTICED THAT THROUGH THE 2020 ELECTION.

THAT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MAINLAND IS STARTING TO HAPPEN HERE WITH SAME KIND OF RHETORIC.

>> SAME THING.

NEVER NOTICED IT PRIOR TO 2020.

AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE MAINLAND IS HAPPENING HERE TOO.

>>Daryl: ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS ELECTION IS FAIR AND TRUSTWORTHY?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN MAKE THEM FEEL THAT WAY.

WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF VOTERS, THAT'S ELECTION IS SECURE AND TRUST IN THE ELECTION.

>>Daryl: LET ME CALL CIRCLE BACK.

START A BENCHMARK.

MEASURE IT NOW AND SEE HOW MUCH IT CHANGES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

OTHER TRIALS COMING UP.

I HEARD FROM PEOPLE TODAY, ALWAYS ASK THEM, GEE, YEAH, YOU'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND JURY.

>> OTHER CASE COMING DOWN IT'S LINE.

HOW DO YOU SEE THINGS DEVELOPING GET CLOSER TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> NOT CLEAR TO ME THERE'S GOING TO BE A VERDICT IN ANY OF THOSE CASES BEFORE THE ELECTION.

WHAT I THINK IS PROBABLY LIKELY TO HAPPEN IS EVEN THOSE VOTERS, EVEN THOSE VOTERS WHO WERE TODAY MAYBE QUESTIONING THEIR COMMITMENT DONALD TRUMP.

COME BACK TO HIM.

MOVEMENT IN OTHER CASES SEEN THAT IN PAST TRUMP SCANDALS.

AFTER THE FIRST TIME INDICTED.

>> VOTERS VOTING ON ECONOMY.

>>Daryl: WHERE DO WE STAND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO VOTE HAVE BEEN VOTING REPUBLICAN IN THE STATE VERSUS DEMOCRAT?

DO YOU SEE ANY CHANCE OF VERSUS DEMOCRAT ANY CHANGE IN DYNAMIC?

>> I DON'T.

REPUBLICANS ARE MORE ACTIVE THAN IN THE PAST THE PARTIES VERY DIVIDE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL MAINSTREAM SORT OF LINGLE REPUBLICANS AND FOLKS MUCH MORE DEVOTED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

MAGA REPUBLICANS.

NOT GOING A BIG SHAKE‑UP STILL ONE OF THE MOST DEMOCRATIC STATES IF NOT THE MOST DEMOCRATIC STATE IN THE NATION.

I DON'T SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE CHANGING THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION.

THERE'S NO CHANCE.

VANISHING CLOSE TO ZERO.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WON'T WIN HAWAII.

>>Daryl: ASK DAN AND ASHLEY.

IN TERMS OF REPUBLICAN PARTY, DO YOU SEE IN THE FILINGS AND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT ACROSS ALL OF THE RACES, ARE YOU SEEING A LOT MORE REPUBLICANS, ARE YOU SEE IN A LOT OF ACTION REPUBLICANS?

REPUBLICANS HAVE A CHANCE OF MAKING IN‑ROADS?

>> PARTY IS BEING VERY ACTIVE IN TRYING TO ENCOURAGE NEW CANDIDATES AMONG REPUBLICANS.

IN PARTICULAR, FOR NONPARTISAN COUNCIL RACES.

INCLUDING MAYOR MITCH ROTH ON THE BIG ISLAND.

NONPARTISAN RACE TO GET INVOLVED AT THAT LEVEL RATHER THAN TAKING ON DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT.

I THINK FOLLOWING THE TRUMP VERDICTS AND ONGOING TRIAL, TEST OF NARRATIVE WE HEAR AS JOURNALISTS THROUGHOUT HAWAII THAT YES, WE DO VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC.

BUT THERE'S A NARRATIVE AMONG THE PARTIES MANY IN THE PARTY THAT HAWAII REALLY CONSERVATIVE STATE AND PEOPLE VOTE DEMOCRAT JUST OUT OF CONVENIENCE.

REALLY ARE CLOSET CONSERVATIVES.

THIS YEAR MIGHT BE A TEST OF IF THAT IS REALLY TURNS OUT TO BE THE CASE OR NOT.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> I WAS GOING TO PIGGYBACK WHAT YOU SAID.

WITH WITH YOU LOOK AT THE NONPARTISAN RACES, HERE, IS I FEEL LIKE THE BREAKDOWN COMES A LITTLE BIT MORE 50‑50 OR MORE EVEN LOOKING AT CONSERVATIVES OR MORE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES VERSUS MORE LIBERAL.

>>Daryl: HOW DO YOU DEFINE THAT?

>> SOME OF IT COMES DOWN TO THEY HELD PREVIOUS OFFICE.

THAT WAS PARTISAN.

LOOK AT THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL, ANDRIA TUPOLA, SHE WAS FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND SHE HELD PARTISAN OFFICE.

EASILY AVAILABLE TO.

PARTISAN OFFICE.

YOU TOLD ME, WHICH FIRST STARTED REPORTING HERE, WAS HAWAII DEMOCRATIC STATE.

BUT IT'S NOT A PROGRESSIVE STATE.

I KIND OF HELD THAT IN MY HEAD GONE THROUGH.

WATCHING CYCLES AND WHATNOT.

ELECTION CYCLES YOU CAN COMPLETELY SEE THAT KIND OF SHIFT WHEN IT COMES TO THE NONPARTISAN RACES.

IF YOU CAN SOMEHOW DETERMINE WHICH ONE NONPARTISAN RACES ARE, YOU'LL SEE A BIGGER 50‑50.

>> FASCINATING THING LOCAL POLITICS.

AGREE ENTIRELY WHAT'S BEEN STATE.

PROGRESSIVE STATE MEDICAL LEGALIZATION FAILED AGAIN.

REPUBLICAN BRAND HERE HAS BEEN POISONOUS FOR DECADES.

AND SO IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT R ATTACHED TO YOUR NAME, DO WELL.

IF YOU'RE JUST RUNNING NONPARTISAN RACE, RUNNING AS A CENTER RIGHT CANDIDATE LIKE WE SAY, THOSE CANDIDATES HAVE SHON A LOT OFF SUCCESS.

THINK REPUBLICANS DONE THEMSELVES DISSERVICE BY EMBRACING MAINLAND BRAND OF REPUBLICAN PARTY.

ROOM FOR REPUBLICANS AND THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST, WHEN THEY'VE JUST PRESENTED AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE DEMOCRATS.

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

BUT THE REPUBLICAN BRAND HERE IS VERY DIFFICULT SELL FOR A LOT OF LOCAL VOTERS.

>>Daryl: GET BACK TO THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

DO WE ARE WE SEEING EXCITEMENT?

ARE WE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING TO JUMP INTO POLITICS?

OR NOT?

WAS YOUR SENSE OF IT.

>> LIGHT OFTEN ENTHUSEASM.

A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM, FRUSTRATION AMONG YOUNGER, GENERATION WHO IS FRUSTRATED BY THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING.

THEY WANT TO GET MORE ACTIVE CERTAINLY, TWO SESSIONS SAW WAVE IN THE HOUSE, TENDED TO BE YOUNGER, THAT ENCOURAGING.

JUST NOT FOR THE POLITICS BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO LEFT SAME OLD PEOPLE DOING THE SAME OLD THINGS.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM NOW.

WHETHER PEOPLE HAVE THE FORTITUDE TO GO RAISE MONEY AND CAMPAIGN.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THERE'S A DIVIDING LINE.

I CERTAINLY DON'T SEE ANY LACK OFTEN ENTHUSEASM AMONG YOUNGER GENERATION WANTS TO SEE CHANGE.

WANTS TO GET INVOLVED.

WANTS TO BE MORE ACTIVE.

>>Daryl: SCOTT, IN TERMS OF NUMBERS OF CANDIDATES, HOW DOES THIS ELECTION BACK UP?

CONTESTED ELECTIONS?

GOT A FEW MORE DAYS.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE NOT EVEN PULLING PAPERS.

>> DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE RUNNING.

>> LAST TIME WE LOOKED AT NUMBER OF CANDIDATES THAT ACTUALLY TOOK OUT PAPERS LESS THAN FOUR YEARS AGO.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER CANDIDATES THAT FILED, THAT'S A LOT LOWER.

WE'RE EXPECTING RUSH OF CANDIDATES TO FILE THAT HAVE TAKEN OUT PAPERS THAT WILL BE FILING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

TUESDAY IS THE DEADLINE.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO?

I KNOW A SENSE OF IT.

>> REALLY HARD TO SAY.

WHY CANDIDATES DO WHAT THEY DO.

NOT SOMETHING I LIKE TO DIVE INTO.

>>Daryl: CALLER, WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW MUCH ACTION THERE IS THIS PRIMARY ELECTION?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, FEELS A LITTLE SUBDUED.

I WILL SAY I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF MOMENTUM ON THE MORE PROGRESSIVE SIDE OF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IDEOLOGY.

MORE YOUNGER PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES MORE FIRED UP.

OTHER HAND, HYPERCONSERVATIVE KIND OF MAGA BRAND OF REPUBLICANS SUPERENGAGED.

SEE THAT ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLAYING OUT A LOT.

>> VERY ENGAGING VIDEOS.

FROM BOTH OF THEM.

THAT KIND OF MIDDLE GROUND, NOT SEEING AS MUCH.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE MAYBE THE GENERATION ISN'T AS INTERESTED IN USING THESE TYPES OF TOOLS.

OR IF IT'S WE'RE JUST KIND OF STARTING TO MIMIC THE WAY THAT FAN POLITICS IS GOING.

BECOME MORE AND MORE AND MORE DIFFERENT.

FROM EACH OTHER.

>>Daryl: THROW THIS OUT.

QUESTION FROM ED IN PEARL CITY.

FAIR WAY OF OPENING UP THIS CONVERSATION.

HAWAII TRADITIONALLY LOW TURN OUT IN ELECTION.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET RESIDENTS TO VOTE.

NO VOTE, NO COMPLAIN.

MY IMPRESSION IS A LOT OF THE ELECTIONS ARE KIND OF BORING.

THAT MIGHT WHAT, IS YOUR FEELING ABOUT THAT AND DO YOU SEE US MAKING ANY PROGRESS THIS YEAR IN GETTING EXCITING ELECTIONS OUT THERE TO GET PEOPLE TO COME?

IT.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS THIS YEAR.

I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST QUIET, BORING ELECTIONS IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

>>Daryl: WE'RE GOOD.

>> DOESN'T MEAN THERE AREN'T A LOT OF IMPORTANT RACES.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF INCUMBENTS WHO NO ONE EVEN PULLED PAPERS TO RUN AGAINST THEM.

ALL OF THE EXCITEMENT REALLY GOING TO COME FROM THE TOP, FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

THIS IS ALWAYS THE $64,000 QUESTION LOCAL POLITICS.

HOW CAN WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE?

MY IDEA WAS THAT WE HELP MORE CANDIDATES RUN BY MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO RAISE MONEY.

TO PROVIDE PUBLIC FUNDING SYSTEM.

LEGISLATURE UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T PASS THAT.

I DO THINK THAT'S BIG HURDLE YOUNGER CANDIDATES.

RAISE MONEY.

MAKE IT HARD TO RUN AGAINST INCUMBENTS.

OTHER THING, A LITTLE BIT OF PET THEORY, I THINK THERE'S SOME TRUTH TO IT.

POLITICS HAS BECOME VERY ROUGH.

YOU ARE, ALWAYS BEEN ROUGH.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

YOU ARE UNDER SO MUCH SCRUTINY, UNDER SOCIAL MEDIA, I THINK FOR THE TOP LEVEL RACES, PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT SuperPAC ATTACK ADS.

CAN BE ROUGH ON YOUR FAMILY.

AT LEAST FOR THE FOLKS KIND OF MORE MAINSTREAM CANDIDATES, NOT NECESSARILY DRIVEN PROGRESSIVES OR DRIVEN CONSERVATIVES.

IS IT REALLY WORTH?

DO I WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH IN?

I THINK FOR A LOT THEM THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO.

>>Daryl: DAN AND ASHLEY, WHAT PATTERN DO WE SEE THAT'S BEING REPEATED THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF WHERE THERE ARE CONTESTED RACES?

>> PROBABLY ON THE HOUSE RACE I WOULD SAY.

BECAUSE ALL OF THEM ARE UP FOR ELECTION.

AND THEY GOT REDISTRICTING KIND OF SHUFFLED.

PEOPLE AROUND.

>>Daryl: I THINK WE HAD 20 NEWCOMERS PLUS A COUPLE OF PEOPLE APPOINTED.

>> FRESHMAN CLASS.

ALSO, MEANS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SKEWING A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER.

I THINK BECAUSE OF THAT, MAYBE CANDIDATES ARE A LITTLE ABOUT BIT MORE FIRED UP.

ALSO SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING EITHER VACATING POSITIONS AND TRYING TO RUN FOR OTHER OFFICES.

REPRESENTATIVE SIDE.

TO THE SENATE SIDE.

OPENING UP FEW SEATS BASICALLY.

WHEN THERE ARE OPEN SEATS, THAT'S WHEN WE SEE ACTUAL COMPETITION.

AND ALSO, FRESHMEN.

YOUNGER NEWER CANDIDATES, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO GET CHALLENGED TO THEN INCUMBENTS.

>>Daryl: THAT'S THE PATTERN SEEMS TO BE APPARENT.

>> YEAH.

LEGISLATURE, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, ONLY TAKES 3,000 OR SO VOTES TO BECOME A STATE SENATOR OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

AND WHAT WE HEAR REPEATEDLY IS VOTERS RESPOND, THEY LIKE THE DOOR KNOCK.

LIKE BEING ABLE TO SHARE THEIR TRUE SENSE WITH THE CANDIDATES.

THEY LIKE TO SEE YOU SWEAT TO BE INDELICATE ABOUT IT.

WANT TO SEE A CANDIDATE WORKING HARD FOR THE ROAD.

WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FEWER THAN 4,000 VOTES A LOT OF THESE RACES, IT DOESN'T, HARD WORK WILL PAY OFF.

COLIN IS RIGHT.

HAVING A TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT JUST SHAKING PEOPLE DOWN FOR NOT SHAKING DOWN,.

(LAUGHTER).

>> ASKING, RAISING CAMPAIGN FUNDS, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

R IS DISTASTEFUL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT THOSE WILLING TO WORK HARD, IT CAN PAY OFF.

NOW, THAT SAID, IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC.

AND NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE HAD, WELL, THIS YEAR PRIMARILY, HAVE WELL‑KNOWN NAME.

KEN INOUYE.

SON OF DANIEL INOUYE.

FIRST TIME CANDIDATE.

I THINK HE'S 59.

>> RUNNING AGAINST TRISHA LACHEEKA.

APPOINTED LAST SESSION AND SERVED FULL SESSION THIS TIME.

YOUNGER, TWO YOUNGER CHILDREN.

THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING RACE.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT ANYBODY'S TO WALK AWAY WITH OR TAKE FOR GRANTED.

WE HAVE THE EXAMPLE OF BEFORE, OF GARY GILL, SON OF LEGENDARY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TOM GILL.

HE WORKED AT DISTRICTS HARD.

REDISTRICTED.

THINGS KIND OF CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.

YEAH, GARY DIDN'T WIN A HOUSE SEAT.

>>Daryl: QUESTION FOR SCOTT NAGO FROM ABE IN AIEA.

OTHER PARTIES.

WHICH WE SHOULD PROBABLY TALK ABOUT.

A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE.

HE SAYS, 8 PARTIES CERTIFIED TO FIELD CANDIDATES.

WHY THIS YEAR.

GREEN PARTY, SOLIDARITY PARTY, REPUBLICAN PARTY, DEMOCRATIC PARTY, LIBERTARIAN PARTY, PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION, WE, THE PEOPLE PARTY, AND NO LABELS PARTY.

PLUS NONPARTISAN.

I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS THAT MANY.

HAVE CANDIDATES FROM EACH OF THOSE PARTIES ACTUALLY FILED TO RUN?

ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE ACTIVE?

OUR BALLOT FOR THE PRIMARY IS GOING TO HAVE ALMOST ALL OF THESE PARTIES ON IT.

HOW IS IT GOING WITH NEW PARTIES, THIRD PARTIES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT BOY DOES RUN SINGLE PARTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS WHERE VOTERS SEE ALL THE PARTY BALLOTS CAN ONLY VOTE IN ONE POLITICALEL PREFERENCE.

THUS THE NONPARTISAN VOTES AND THE COUNCIL RACES.

BUT ALL IN THE SAME COUPLE OF PAGES.

CONFUSING SOMETIMES.

>> BROKEN DOWN.

YOU'LL SEE ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR ALL PARTIES.

AS FAR AS FILING GOES, NOT SEEING A WHOLE LOT OF FILING FOR THOSE OTHER PARTIES AS YOU ARE FOR DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN.

THERE ARE FIGHTS.

>>Daryl: HOW DO THEY GET CERTIFIED?

THERE ARE A FEW.

>> THEY HAVE GET SIGNATURES REGISTERED VOTERS PRIOR TO ELECTION.

PRIOR TO FEBRUARY.

AND ONCE THEY DO THAT, THEN THEY FILE RULES AN OFFICERS AND BECOME A PARTY.

>>Daryl: WE PROMISED NOT TO GET INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION TOO MUCH.

BUT SINCE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, QUESTION FROM MIKE IN PEARL CITY, SPECULATE IF YOU THINK ROBERT F. KENNEDY JUNIOR, WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON EITHER BIDEN OR TRUMP IN HAWAII?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IN HAWAII, IT'S ANSWER TO THAT IS DEFINITELY NO.

SUCH AN OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC STATE.

I DO THINK HE CAN PLAY, COULD POSSIBLY PLAY A ROLE IN SOME OF SWING STATES.

PLACES LIKE WISCONSIN.

MICHIGAN.

SO CLOSE BETWEEN BIDEN AND INTERIM.

NOT IN HAWAII AND TRUMP.

TOO OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER QUESTION.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO JUMP IN ON KENNEDY?

DID HE COME HERE.

>> HE DID.

PEOPLE WHO ARE FIRED UP ABOUT HIM FOR SURE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTING HIM, VERY VOCAL ABOUT IT.

I SEE CARS WITH HIS LOGO ON IT.

>>Daryl: REALLY OLD CARS.

PRETTY OLD CAR.

>> THOSE STICKERS LOOKED PRETTY NEW.

YEAH.

I THINK IN THAT WAY MAYBE, IT CAN.

ALSO I COULD SEE IT ALSO PLAYING INTO LIKE THE APATHY OF THINGS.

PEOPLE FEELING LIKE THIS CANDIDATES, THEY CARE A LOT HAS NO CHANCE.

SITTING THERE SAYING, HE HAS NO CHANCE OR NOT GOING TO AFFECT OUR ELECTION.

COULD POSSIBLY ALSO I THINK PLAY A FACTOR INTO KIND OF SEWING CYNICISM.

VOTE DOESN'T MATTER, DON'T PARTICIPATE, WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

>>Daryl: YOU MADE A POINT ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

OF THE FOUR OF US, PROBABLY THE MOST PLUGGED IN, NOT TO MAKE STEREOTYPES.

HOW MUCH CAMPAIGNING IS GOING ON IN SOCIAL MEDIA THAT YOU'RE SEEING AND IS IT REALLY EVOLVING IN HAWAII INTO SOMETHING THAT IS EVOLVING INTO HAWAII, SOMETHING MORE VICIOUS AND SORT OF SNEAKY, WHAT IS THE TONE OF IT?

>> I FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ON LIKE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS THAT FOLLOWED BY A LOT, A LOT, A LOT OF PEOPLE.

ALSO, I DO THINK THAT CAN BE USED IN GOOD AND BAD WAYS.

CAN BE USED IN GOOD WAYS IN THAT IT'S REALLY EASY TO SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY ON THERE.

CURATE KIND OF IMAGE FOR YOURSELF.

I COULD SEE HOW COULD BE REALLY USEFUL FOR CANDIDATES.

TO KIND OF MAKE THAT CONNECTION, KIND OF INFLUENCERY WAY.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.

SO IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT I THINK.

>> OTHER DANGER IF YOU'RE A CONSUMER, OR A VOTER, IS LAST COUPLE OF ELECTION CYCLES I HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONVINCED CANDIDATE IS GOING TO WIN BECAUSE THEY ARE LIVING IN THAT VACUUM, NOT LOOKING AT THE TOTAL PICTURE.

I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, CRUSHED, CONVINCED CANDIDATE A WAS GOING TO WIN.

AND NOWHERE TO BE SEEN I THINK VOTING PUBLIC, RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AWARE THAT YOU MIGHT BE IN AN ECHO CHAMBER AND TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE.

>>Daryl: MIGHT GET SURPRISED.

>> YEAH.

>> CHECK YOUR SOURCES.

I THINK ONE THING THAT IS GOOD TOO KEEP IN MIND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ELECTION SEASON, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING AND TRIGGERS A REALLY INTENSE REACTION NEW, OH, MY GOSH!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TRUE!

YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH OTHER SOURCES BECAUSE USUALLY, MISINFORMATION IS SUPERINFLAMMATORY.

GOING TO CAPTURE ATTENTION.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

>>Lauren: WAY LESS REGULATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA THAN THERE IS OF TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING.

RIGHT?

CAN YOU GET AWAY WITH WAY MORE?

>> I MEAN, SURE.

IN MOST CASES, THESE ARE JUST, PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTERS OF CANDIDATE.

NOT CANDIDATES AREN'T BUYING THESE ADS.

MIGHT BE REGULATED.

FIRST TIME CYCLE HERE LOCALLY, DEEP FAKES.

LEGISLATURE, I BELIEVE THEY PASSED THAT LAW THIS SESSION BUT IT WILL BE HARDER TO CRACK DOWN ON INDIVIDUAL VOTERS.

NOW, AI IS SO GOOD.

IT'S SO EASY TO DO THAT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY MONEY HAVE SOMEONE DO THAT FOR YOU.

SUPPORTS CERTAINLY CANDIDATES CAN PUT THAT KIND OF MISINFORMATION ONLINE EASILY AND IT CAN SPREAD.

FIRST ELECTION REALLY ENCOUNTER THAT.

THOSE KIND OF TACTICS I THINK EVEN IN THE DOWN TICKET RACES.

>> ESPECIALLY IN DOWN TICKET RACE.

>> YEAH.

>>Daryl: DOESN'T TAKE MUCH.

>> IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH AND BY THE TIME OPPOSITION CANDIDATE FINDS OUT SOMETHING HAPPENING, IT COULD BE TOO LATE.

>>Daryl: OLD DAYS, I HATE TO REPRESENT OLD DAYS, KIND OF DO.

SOMEONE TRIED TO SMEAR SOMEBODY.

TRADITIONAL MEDIA, WE WON'T REPORT THAT.

DON'T HAVE THE CHECK ANY MORE.

PASSED BILL TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO MAKE DEEP FAKES USING AI.

REALLY A CONCERN?

SUSAN IN MAKIKI RAISES THAT.

RELATIONSHIP ASHLEY MIZUO, DO YOU SEE THE REAL THREAT OF THAT?

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIKE, AT THIS LOWER LEVEL.

>> I MEAN, I THINK DEPENDS ON HOW EASILY, I MEAN I THINK YES.

IN THAT EVEN JUST ONE OF THESE TYPES OF LIKE DEEP FAKES OR WHAT NOT, THAT CAN SEW SO MUCH DESTRUCTION FOR A CAMPAIGN.

SO RAPIDLY.

THAT YES, I THINK IT'S A PROBLEM.

DEFINITELY.

I'M NOT SURE HOW ADVANCED WE ARE YET WITH DOING THAT.

>> NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO SEE.

IT'S GOOD THAT'S LEGISLATURE DID DECIDE TO PASS IT PREEMPTIVELY.

POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA BARELY ON THE MAP.

NOW MAIN WAY PEOPLE CAMPAIGN.

MORE PREEMPTIVE, I WOULD SAY.

WOULDN'T BE SHOCKED IF WE DID SAY SOME OUT OF THERE.

>>Daryl: DO YOU SEE POSSIBILITY WITH THIS KIND OF GROWTHS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND SO ON, OF REALLY FACT CHECK THE WAY TRADITIONAL MEDIA USED DO IT?

>> YOU KNOW, BOTH EASIER TO FACT CHECK BUT ALSO, YOU'RE CONSTANTLY CHASING WHAT IS REALITY FROM SOMEBODY, SO IT'S TO ME,.

>>Daryl: HAVE TO CHOOSE WHICH THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO FACT CHECK.

>> RIGHT?

ARE YOU GOING TO FACT CHECKEL QUOTE, UNQUOTE, SMEAR IN A WAY DOWN BALLOT RACE IN A SMALL HOUSE DISTRICT, OR NEIGHBOR ISLAND, OR ARE YOU GOING TO FOCUS ON THE BIG RACES?

>> YEAH.

AND TO BE HONEST, COUPLE THINGS HAVE COME TO ME ALREADY ABOUT THIS DOESN'T SMELL RIGHT.

CHECK IT OUT.

I DO.

AND IT'S LIKE, OKAY.

THAT WAS.

>>Daryl: AS BAD AS IT LOOKS.

>> YEAH.

>> HARD WHEN PEOPLE, THERE'S ALREADY ALSO DISTRUST OF MEDIA.

SOMETIMES FEELS IMPOSSIBLE WHERE YOU'RE OUT THERE, DOING THE RESEARCH, TALKING TO PEOPLE, TRYING TO DISPROVE THIS THING AND PEOPLE WILL JUST WRITE YOU OFF AND SAY, IT'S FAKE NEWS.

IT'S NOT REAL.

CROOKED MEDIA.

SO FACT‑CHECKING THESE TYPE OF POSTS IS HARD   BECAUSE EVERYONE BEEN SAYING YOU'RE STUCK IN THIS CYCLE.

MORE OF THAT TYPE OF CONTENT YOU CONSUME, MORE SCEPTICAL YOU'RE GOING TO BECOME.

TRADITIONAL MEDIA.

COMPANIES.

I THINK ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISTS.

DOING THEIR JOB AS MUCH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN TO FACT CHECK THINGS.

WHEN YOU'RE STUCK IN THAT LOOP, EASY TO NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT.

ALGORITHM WILL CONTINUOUSLY FEED YOU THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION.

>>Daryl: SCOTT NAGO, IN THE PAST, ELECTIONS DIVISION WOULD PUT OUT LIKE CANDIDATE INFORMATION.

HOW MUCH OF THAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING THIS YEAR?

>> LEGISLATURE DID PASS A LAW FOR THIS ELECTION TO REQUIRE US TO PUT OUT DIGITAL VOTER GUIDE.

DIGITAL VOTER GUIDE WHERE CANDIDATES, VOTERS CAN LOOK AT TO SEE THEIR CANDIDATES AND 149 WORD STATEMENT AS WELL AS PICTURE.

>>Daryl: 149.

>> NO MORE THAN 150.

>>Daryl: PRETTY SPECIFIC.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

>> SO CANDIDATES COME TO FILE, THEY DO PROVIDE A STATEMENT AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPH.

WE'LL COMPILE THAT AND HAVE THAT READY.

WHEN BALLOTS ARE OUT TO HOUSEHOLDS IN JULY, VOTERS CAN GO WEBSITE TO LOOK AT CANDIDATES.

AND READ UP ON THEM.

>>Daryl: DOING THAT AT THE FRONT END OF PROCESS.

>> RIGHT.

>>Daryl: UP UNTIL TUESDAY.

>> YES.

>>Daryl: CAN'T GO BACK AND CHANGE IT IF THEY'RE GETTING BLASTED BY THEIR OPPONENT.

>> NO.

>>Daryl: BASICALLY VERY FORWARD LOOKING, WHAT KIND OF STATEMENTS ARE YOU SEEING FROM PEOPLE?

>> NOT REALLY MUCH YOU CAN REALLY SAY IN 149 WORDS.

>> JUST TO INTERVIEW THE VOTERS, INFORMED ELECTORATE IS A BETTER ELECTORATE.

INFORMS VOTERS WHAT THE CANDIDATE STANDS FOR.

>>Daryl: WHAT WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE IDEA?

>>THINK IT'S A TERRIFIC IDEA.

SHOULD HAVE HAD IT A LONG TIME AGO.

DOING THIS IN CALIFORNIA FOR DECADES.

SO I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE IT FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH THIS TIME.

>>Daryl: HOW DO VOTERS RESPOND THERE?

I THINK VOTERS LOVE IT IN CALIFORNIA.

IT'S SORT OF RITUAL CHECK VOTERS GUIDE.

GREAT WAY JUST TO FIND OUT WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE.

HOW ELSE ARE GOING TO DO IT?

GOOGLE IT.

THAT MIGHT NOT BE A RELIABLE SOURCE.

WHAT KNOWS WHAT COMES UP ON FIRST HIT.

SO IT'S JUST A WAY TO SAY, WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHO THESE CANDIDATES ARE.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT THEIR OTHER BACKGROUND IS.

>> I THINK THIS WORKS PARTICULARLY WELL WITH OUR NEW MAIL‑IN BALLOT SYSTEM.

THERE IS YOUR BALLOT.

>> SITTING ON YOUR KITCHEN TABLE.

YOU CAN JUST, LUXURY OF TIME.

NOT STUCK IN A BALLOT BOX TRYING TO MAKE A DECISION RIGHT AWAY.

I THINK VOTERS REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I THINK A LOT OF VOTERS WILL USE THIS.

>>Daryl: GETTING KIND OF A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS MAIL‑IN VOTING.

I WANT TO DO THAT.

HOLD ON TO THAT FOR A MINUTE.

WE REALLY HAVEN'T DONE ANY HANDICAPPING OR TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAJOR RACES THAT I DID GET QUESTION FROM MIKA IN PEARL CITY.

KEY RACE TO WATCH?

CLOSE RACES LEGISLATURE COUPLE YEARS AGO.

WILL THAT HAPPEN THIS YEAR IN ANY OF THER RACE?

PRIMARY ELECTION PRIMARILY.

ANYBODY WANT TO THROW OUT WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING AND WHAT THE MOST SURPRISING MAYBE NOT EXCITING THING?

DAN?

>> FOR ME, COVERING THE STATE CAPITOL, IT'S HOUSE SPEAKER SCOTT SAIKI ONCE AGAIN, BEING CHALLENGED BY KIM COCO IWAMOTO ALA MOANA AND KAKAAKO.

AGAIN, BEEN A CLOSE RACE.

I THINK HE WON BY 161 VOTES.

LAST TIME.

KIM COCO IWAMOTO WORKS THE DISTRICT HARD.

BEEN AROUND A WHILE.

AND THAT NOT ONLY HAS POTENTIAL TO DEFEAT INCUMBENT, BUT IF HE SHOULD LOSE, NOW THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP BECOME A JUMP BALL.

BIG RAMIFICATIONS AGAIN, DISTRICT THAT LITTLE OVER 3600 VOTES, I THINK SCOTT SAIKI WON BY, SEPARATED BY 161, SO FOR PEOPLE FOLLOW STATE POLITICS, THAT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING ONE TO WATCH.

AS YOU MENTIONED, CURIOUS ABOUT NAME POWER OF KEN INOUYE VERSUS TRISH.

>>Daryl: TALK ABOUT THE IWAMOTO AND SAIKI RACE.

THAT'S AN AREA A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN.

KIND OF VERY INFLUX.

KAKAAKO, ALL OF THESE HIGHRISES BEING BUILT.

VOTER BASE THERE HAS CHANGED.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THERE'S THAT AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AROUND CONDO INSURANCE AND AFFORDABILITY ON CONDOS AND I THINK THAT IS GOING TO PLAY A BIG ROLE.

WHY WE SEE SPEAKER SAIKI OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT CONDO INSURANCE.

TODAY BOTH AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY ABOUT CONDO INSURANCE.

I FEEL LIKE BOTH REALLY TRYING TO SHOW THAT THEY'RE THERE TO REPRESENT CONDO OWNERS.

REALLY THINK IT'S GOING TO THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE, HUGE LEVELER IN THAT RACE.

>>Daryl: ALSO ALWAYS BEEN SORT OF A BELLWEATHER FOR THE PROGRESSIVE VERSUS TRADITIONAL POLITICIAN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS ONE OF, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF RACES LIKE THIS.

HAVE CLEAR IDEOLOGICAL DIVIDE BETWEEN WELL FINANCED PROGRESSIVE CHALLENGER AND MORE MAINSTREAMER DEMOCRATIC.

BUT I THINK IT GOES TO SHOW THAT THERE IS APPETITE FOR THAT PROGRESSIVE CHALLENGE ON THE LEFT.

IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE LIKE KIM COCO, STRONG CAMPAIGNER.

I THINK WE SEE SOME OTHER YOUNG PROGRESSIVES REGRETTING INTO THE RACE.

>>Daryl: SELF‑FINANCED.

COMES FROM WEALTHY FAMILY, I THINK SO.

YOUNG PEOPLE MOVING IN.

ALSO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OWN SECOND HOMES THAT DON'T VOTE, BUT THEY TAKING UP A LOT OF THAT SPACE.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE FAIR NUMBER OF SENIORS LIVING ON FIXED INCOMES, TO WHOM ECONOMY REAL ISSUE.

RISING RENTS AN ISSUE.

WHATNOT.

EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN AFFORDABLE HOMES, EVERYTHING ALL PRICES ARE INCREASE.

SO YOU'VE GOT THE PRESSURE OF YOUNG FOLKS WANT WHATEVER THEIR ISSUES ARE AND THEN MORE KIND OF GRASSROOTS COST OF LIVING CONSTITUENTS AND IT'S HARD TO CAMPAIGN IN THAT DISTRICT.

>>Daryl: VERY HARD TO CAMPAIGN IN THAT DISTRICT.

TAKES MONEY AND TAKES FLIERS.

>> MAILERS.

>>Daryl: ALSO, ON OTHER HAND, SCOTT SAIKI IS SPEAKER OF THE STATE HOUSE.

AND THEY I MEAN, YOU HAVE COMPLEMENTED LEGISLATURE ON THEIR WORK, I HAVE.

SO I THINK THE INCUMBENTS HAVE RUN ON THIS TIME.

HEAR US I'M SURE SPEAKER TALK A LOT ABOUT THE BIG TAX CUT.

THAT WAS REALLY THE CENTRAL BILL THAT WENT THROUGH.

THIS IS ENORMOUS TAX CUT.

GOING TO TAKE HAWAII FROM ONE OF THE HIGHEST INCOME TAX STATES IN THE NATION TO RELATIVELY LOW ONE.

HEAR ABOUT THAT TAX CUT.

OTHER THINGS THEY PASSED.

I THINK THIS IS WHAT HE'S GOING TO FEATURE.

>> NOT JUST SPEAKER.

>> EXACTLY.

ALL OF THEM.

LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE STOOD UP, WERE AGAINST IT.

>> EXACTLY.

SNEAKY LITTLE BILL.

WASN'T TALKED ABOUT VERY MUCH.

VERY END OF SESSION, THAT IS WHEN.

>>Daryl: LITERALLY.

>> LITERALLY LAST DAYS.

BASICALLY NO BARELY ANY TO NO COVERAGE ON IT UNTIL THE LAST FOUR DAYS THE SESSION.

>> PART OF IS CYCLE.

OF THE SESSION.

WENT FROM, SORRY.

STARTING THE SESSION WITH HOW MUCH MONEY CAN WE GIVE TO MAUI, AND THEN ECONOMY KEPT CHANGING.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT'S LIKE NO, WE CAN PUT MORE MONEY IN THE RAINY‑DAY FUND.

CAN AND THEN THIS HISTORIC TAX BREAK CAME DOWN.

I THINK COLIN'S POINT, I DON'T THINK SPEAKER SAIKI IS GOING TO BE ONLY ONE CAMPAIGNING ON LOOK.

>>Daryl: ONE PERSON IS VERY IMPORTANT WHO GETS ELECTED IS THE GOVERNOR.

HE APPOINTED A BUNCH OF THEM.

AND THEN SO HE GETS THE CREDIT OF APPOINTING THEM.

GET THE CREDIT THAT THEY MOVED TO THE SENATE, POINTS ONE OF THEM THERE.

CULTIVATING, THIS RELATIONSHIPS.

TODAY, I FOUND INTERESTING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT ASHLEY AND I WERE BOTH AT, WERE YOU THERE?

>> I WAS NOT THERE.

>>Daryl: YOU'RE AT SO MANY OF THEM.

THESE ARE RELATIVELY MINOR BILLS.

BUT GOVERNOR MADE A BIG DEAL ABOUT IT AND MADE SURE THAT SCOTT SAIKI WAS THERE TO BE ON TV, DO YOU THINK THAT ASHLEY, FROM WHAT YOU SAW, DID YOU GET THE FEELING THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF BACK‑PATTING AND SELF‑PROMOTION GOING ON?

>> I COULD SEE THAT.

SEEMS VERY POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCES.

I THINK THAT THAT IS ALSO JUST KIND OF GOVERNOR GREEN STYLE.

ALWAYS BEEN VERY TALKATIVE.

SUPERMEDIA.

ORIENTED.

LIKES POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS.

I THINK IT'S ALSO KIND OF US ADJUSTING AS WELL FROM THE IGE ADMINISTRATION WHICH WAS A LOT MORE SUBDUED DIDN'T TALK AS MUCH, GOVERNOR GREEN EXTREMELY LIVELY.

PART OF IT TESTIFY DEFINITELY ELECTION YEAR.

TROTTING OUT BILLS.

DRUMMING EXCITEMENT ABOUT THEM.

ALSO PERSONALITY.

>> I THINK VIEWERS, I DON'T KNOW IF MAY HAVE MISSED IT, THERE IS NO GOVERNOR'S RACE THIS YEAR.

AND SO GOVERNOR GREEN IS IN THE POSITION TO SHORE UP.

>>Daryl: HELP OTHERS.

>> YEAH.

WOULDN'T HE WANT IT TO?

LEGISLATURE GAVE THE GOVERNOR MOST OF WHAT HE WANTED.

GAP PLAN WAS A BIG PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

OFFERED TAX CUTS WENT BEYOND WHAT THE GOVERNOR ASKED FOR.

HOUSING TWO ADU HOUSING BILLS WENT THROUGH THE LEDGE, THAT ALL PART OF GOVERNOR GREEN'S PACKAGE OR VERSIONS OF IT.

AND SO THERE WASN'T THAT MUCH CONFLICT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR.

PROBABLY WANTS SPEAKER SAIKI TO STAY.

>>Daryl: LET ME THROW OUT, AGAIN, QUESTION.

YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE MAYOR'S RACES, TWO MAYOR'S RACES, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME INTEREST, WHAT DO WE THINK ABOUT THE LACK OF INTEREST IN MAYOR'S RACE IN HONOLULU?

>> EXTRAORDINARY, I THINK WE HAVE RICK BLANGIARDI, TALKING ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE SHOW, LOOKS LIKE THERE'S ONLY ONE OTHER CANDIDATE WHO IS FILED.

OTHERS HAVE PULLED PAPERS BUT NO MAJOR CANDIDATES.

SOMEONE HELD ELECTED OFFICE BEFORE.

WELL FINANCED.

HISTORY OF THIS CITY, IS IT FAIR TO SAY, GOING ALL WAY BACK TO MAYOR FERN IN 1909, NEVER HAD A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

ESSENTIALLY GO UNCHALLENGED.

>> THINGS CONTRIBUTE TO.

BLANGIARDI HASN'T MADE BIG ERRORS.

STRONG COMMUNICATOR.

HASN'T BEEN DRAGGED DOWN BY HART SOME OF THE PAST MAYORS.

BUT IT'S STILL SURPRISING.

NORMALLY ON THIS PROGRAM, THIS WOULD BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF CAMPAIGNS SEASON THIS YEAR.

BECAUSE GOVERNOR IS NOT UP.

HONOLULU MAYOR'S RACE.

>> ALSO HAVE NOT ONLY A NAMED CONTENDER FOR MAYOR, BUT ALSO, NO WELL‑KNOWN CANDIDATE FOR CITY PROSECUTOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SIMULTANEOUSLY.

NO OTHER CANDIDATE.

NO ONE RUNNING AGAINST STEVE ALM.

>>Daryl: CITY COUNCIL LEVEL, ONLY ONE INTERESTING RACE.

>> THAT WOULD BE CALVIN SAY DISTRICT.

HE HAS NOT FILED PAPERS TO RUN IN HIS PREVIOUS REPORTS SAID THAT HE IS DEBATING WHETHER HE WILL OR WON'T.

THAT ONE PRETTY INTERESTING.

TWO PRETTY WELL‑KNOWN PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING FOR THAT SEAT ONE IS REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT NISHIMOTO.

HELD REALLY IMPORTANT POSITION THIS YEAR ON FINANCE COMMITTEE.

REALLY DROVE A LOT OF BUDGET TALKS.

SO THERE IS THAT.

ALSO FORMER REPRESENTATIVE DALE KOBAYASHI.

SO BOTH PRETTY WELL‑KNOWN AND RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT.

>> MOST COMPETITIVE ONE.

>> MY THOUGHT ABOUT MAYOR BLANGIARDI AND KIND OF APPEAL, I GUESS, THAT SEEMS TO BE UNCHALLENGED, HE IS REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF SOMEBODY TRULY RUNNING A VERY NONPARTISAN RACE.

BACK IN 2016, HE SAID, NOT 2016, SORRY, 2020, HE WAS RUNNING AND HE WAS KNOWN, VERY VOCAL THAT HE WAS A REPUBLICAN.

AND YOU KIND OF SEE HIM STRADDLING THAT LINE.

HE DOES SOME THINGS I'VE SEEN MORE CONSERVATIVE.

DOES OTHER THINGS THAT SEEM MORE PROGRESSIVE.

I THINK THAT IS ADDS TO HIS APPEAL IN SOME WAYS.

MAKES IT HARDER TO CHALLENGE HIM.

>>Daryl: WANT TO BRING UP WE TALK ABOUT THE HONOLULU COUNCIL.

THE MAUI COUNCIL, THEY ALL HAVE TO RUN.

I THINK.

AND THEY HAVE TO RUN COUNTY WIDE, EVEN THOUGH DISTRICT BROKEN UP.

YOU HAD THIS MASSIVE FIRE.

CURIOUS, HOW MUCH HAVE YOU HAD TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE THAT DISTRICT ACTUALLY ABILITY TO VOTE IN THAT DISTRICT WHEN ADDRESS IS ASH?

>> FORTUNATELY, WE ARE VOTE BY MAIL STATE.

DID DO CAMPAIGNS RUNNING ADS UPDATE VOTER MAILING ADDRESS.

SO BALLOT CAN STILL COME TO YOU.

STILL REGISTERED IN LAHAINA.

JUST BALLOT WILL GO TO DIFFERENT MAILING ADDRESS.

SO YOU CAN STILL VOTE.

>>Daryl: BUT YOU'RE REGISTERED SAME ADDRESS YOU HAD BEFORE EVEN IF THAT ADDRESS IS TECHNICALLY NOT COLLECT.

>> TEMPORARILY AWAY FROM RESIDENCE.

STILL VOTE THERE.

>>Daryl: DID THAT TAKE A SPECIAL LAW OR JUST THE WAY IT IS.

>> WAY RESIDENCY LAWS SET UP.

>>Daryl: OTHER TIMES PEOPLE WERE DISPLACED.

>> YES.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK POLITICALLY, ABOUT MAUI?

ARE WE SEEING IN THE PAST WITH MAUI, ALWAYS SORT OF PRODEVELOPMENT, VERSUS ANTI‑DEVELOPMENT.

DO YOU SEE AFTER ALL OF THE LESSONS LEARNED MAUI FIRES, THAT MAYBE THAT THIS IS NOT THE YEAR TO RUN AS A DEVELOPMENT CANDIDATE ON MAUI?

>> I WOULD SUSPECT SO.

BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REALLY GETS GOING TO SEE HOW THIS SHAKES UP.

INTERESTING RACE.

HOUSE FINANCE CHAIR KYLE YAMASHITA PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM ZACHERY THIELEN.

>> NOT A CANDIDATE.

I KNOW WELL.

NOT SURE IF HE FILED.

PULLED PAPERS.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON.

ANYONE WHO'S A PHYSICIAN, RAISES CAMPAIGN, WORTH WATCHING.

>>Daryl: SHOT ACROSS.

KYLE RESISTING EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION FOR INDEPENDENT PROVIDERS.

ACTIVE LOBBY.

GO OVER SOME.

>>WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE GOING TO INTEREST VOTERS THIS YEAR?

WHAT ISSUES?

TALKED ABOUT MARIJUANA, RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BEING REJECTED.

TALKED ABOUT TAXES BEING PASSED.

THIS IS A QUESTION FROM SOMEONE IN KO'OLAU ASKING DID ANY CANDIDATE TRULY VOTE TO STOP OVERTOURISM, STOPPING TOURISM OR VOTE TO DIVERSIFY ECONOMY AND GROW HIGHER PAYING JOBS?

ARE PEOPLE LOOKING AT THAT AND HOW THEY MAKE   DECISIONS ABOUT VOTING?

>> I THINK THERE'S A PENT‑UP DESIRE FOR ALL OF THOSE TOPICS.

THE LEGISLATURE PASSED ON THE VISITOR IMPACT FEE.

THEY PUSHED IT TO THE NEXT SESSION.

EVERYONE IS IN FAVOR OF SOME FORM OF IT.

IT'S THE FUNDING MECHANISM.

WHETHER IT'S INCREASED IN T.A.T.

TAX, OR CHARGING ONE TIME USER FEE.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF MODELS.

GOVERNOR GREEN SAID, THAT TOOK ANOTHER WAY OF REDUCING TOURISM.

YOU GOT TO PAY MORE GO TO HAWAII MAYBE KEEP SOME PEOPLE AWAY.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HUGE ISSUE.

AND THERE WERE SOME SUCCESSES WITH THAT THIS SESSION.

BUT IT'S AFFECTS ALL OF US.

>>Daryl: NOTHING IS FAST.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY I WE ALSO HAVE TO MENTION, LOOKING AT TOURISM, THEY REALLY WENT AFTER SHORT‑TERM RENTALS THIS SESSION.

AND SEEMS SEMI SUCCESSFUL.

SEE MAUI ALREADY TAKING STEPS TO GET RID OF THE THEIR SHORT‑TERM RENTALS.

>> SO I THINK THAT WAS KIND OF WAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS SAYING TRY TO CUT BACK ON TOURISM AND ADD TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

INVENTORY.

SO YEAH.

>>Daryl: I THINK POINT TO BE MADE, BARBARA IN WAIANAE ASKED SAME QUESTION, WILL AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS BE ISSUE IN THE ELECTION?

AGAIN, THIS IS PART OF THE PRODUCT THAT THEY CAN POINT TO.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO POINT TO, THE BROCHURES ARE FULL OF IT.

>> EVERYONE IS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

FIND A CANDIDATE WHO SAYS WE DON'T NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME DIFFERENTIATING THE CANDIDATES BASED ON THAT.

>>Daryl: GO THROUGH ELECTION PROCESS, I HAVE LITERALLY.

>> WE CAN TAKE A BREAK.

>>Daryl: NO.

YOU GUYS COVERED THEM.

YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN IT.

I WANT YOUR PARTICIPATION.

SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT WEST MAUI THIS YEAR.

GIVEN THE DISASTER LAST YEAR.

NAPILI, WHAT HAPPENED IN WEST MAUI?

>> FIRE MAYBE.

>>Daryl: OKAY.

WE ASKED ANSWERED THE QUESTION.

I MISREAD THAT.

DISASTER AT ELECTION NIGHT FOUR YEARS AGO.

WHOLE ANOTHER THING.

DID MAIL‑IN VOTING THAT STARTED ABOUT FEW YEARS IMPROVE VOTER TURNOUT?

NEAL IN HILO.

HOW ARE WE DOING WITH MAIL‑IN VOTING?

>> 2020, FIRST YEAR WE WENT TO MAIL‑IN VOTING, HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT EVER.

THIS PAST 2022, DIDN'T HAVE AS HIGH TURNOUT BUT PRIMARY ELECTION, THAT WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST TURNOUT ONLY TO 2020, AND FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION, THAT WAS THE HIGHEST MIDTERM TURNOUT NONPRESIDENTIAL TURNOUT EVER.

>>Daryl: DO WE TRIBUTE THAT TO THE MAINLAND.

>> REALLY HARD.

>> TURNOUT ISN'T DRIVEN BY EASE OF VOTING.

>> A LOT OF FACTORS SUCH AS ISSUES CANDIDATES.

NOT JUST SIMPLY ABOUT BALLOT COMES TO YOU VOTING.

>>Daryl: WHAT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE MAIL‑IN VOTING?

>> IT'S HELPED AND SCOTT IS RIGHT.

FIRST TIME OUT, I EVEN I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH IT SEEMED TO INCREASE OUR VOTER TURNOUT.

SETTLED DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT MOST OF THE STUDIES SHOW.

I MEAN, MAIL‑IN VOTING HELPS.

INCREASES TURNOUT FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS.

BUT IT'S NOT A SILVER BULLET.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A HUGE CHANGE IN VOTER TURNOUT.

UP BECAUSE IT'S PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.

AND 2020, 51.2%.

I EXPECT PROBABLY GOING TO BE MAYBE A LITTLE BIT LOWER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A COMPETITIVE MAYORAL RACE.

WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THE TICKET, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE REASONABLY ROBUST.

>>Daryl: DAN OR ASHLEY.

>> >> I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE WITH MAIL‑IN BALLOTS IS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DISTRUST THAT'S BEEN SEWN AROUND IT.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY STIMYING ITS EFFECTS TO INCREASE OR NOT.

I MEAN, SPEAKING FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS USED MAIL‑IN VOTING, IT'S SUPEREASY.

AND YOU JUST LIKE WRITE IT, TAKE IT OR MAIL IT OR WHATEVER.

IT'S WAY EASIER.

>>Daryl: VERY LAST MINUTE.

>> YES.

AS I HAVE.

BUT IT'S WAY EASIER THAN GOING INTO THE POST OFFICE FROM WORK.

IN THEORY, SHOULD HELP PEOPLE VOTE.

I THINK IN SOME DISTRUST WOVEN AROUND IT FROM MAGA SIDE OF THINGS.

TRUMP SIDE OF THINGS.

I THINK THAT IS KIND OF STALLING ITS PROGRESS.

>>Daryl: HAVE A SHOW NEXT WEEK PROMOTE THIS LITTLE BIT ABOUT SPECIFICALLY HOW ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO BE HANDLED.

DON'T HAVE TO GO TOO FAR INTO IT TODAY.

I AM OLDER VOTER.

NOT TALKING ABOUT MYSELF.

EMILY IN HALEIWA.

OLDER VOTER USED TO GO TO POLLINGS PLACE TO VOTE, IMMEDIATE A NEW MISTAKE.

GET A NEW BALLOT START OVER.

>> DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION WITH MAIL‑IN VOTING.

CAN I STILL VOTE IN PERSON WHAT IS THE PLAN.

>> YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION GETTING REQUESTING REPLACEMENT BALLOT AND IF YOU DO MAKE MISTAKE, BUT WE DO OFFER IN PERSON VOTING STARTING JULY 29 WITH VOTER SERVICE CENTERS.

NOT LIKE A POLLING PLACE.

LIMITED NUMBER OF VOTER CENTERS.

GO THERE REGISTER IF YOU'RE NOT REGISTERED.

GET REPLACEMENT BALLOT.

VOTE THERE.

THERE ARE OPTIONS TO VOTE.

IN PERSON.

>>Daryl: HOW MANY CENTERS ARE WE GOING TO HAVE.

>> DEPENDS ON THE TIME.

TWO, ONE IN KAPOLEI HALE AND ONE HONOLULU HALE.

OAHU, KAPOLEI HALE AND HONOLULU HALE.

FIRST, OPEN FOR 2 WEEK PERIOD.

FIRST WEEK GOING TO BE ONE IN KANEOHE.

AND THEN SECOND WEEK, ONE IN WAHIAWA DISTRICT PARK.

>> TO EMILY'S QUESTION, CAN SHE TAKE HER SPOILED BALLOT TO VOTING SERVICE CENTER, I MESSED UP.

>> YES.

ISSUE HER NEW BALLOT AND VOTE IN PERSON THERE OR GIVE HER NEW BALLOT TO MAIL BACK.

>>Daryl: NEIGHBOR ISLANDS?

>> ONE IN KAUAI.

TWO ON BIG ISLAND.

MAUI, OPENING UP A FEW NEW ONES I BELIEVE OPENING ONE IN LAHAINA.

NOT SURE OF THE HOURS.

GO TO WEBSITE ELECTIONS.GOV TO GET DETAILS LOCATIONS AND HOURS.

>>Daryl: DO YOU GUYS THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CHALLENGES AT THESE VOTERS CENTERS ESPECIALLY ELECTION NIGHT.

>> YES.

GOING BACK TO HOW YOU STARTED THE SHOW, GUILTY VERDICTS AND ONGOING TRIALS GOING TO SEW MORE DISSENT.

ESPECIALLY AMONG TRUMP SUPPORTERS, ABOUT TRUSTING THE SYSTEM.

COLIN MADE THE POINT OF DISTRUST IN INSTITUTIONS.

VOTING IS ONE OF THEM.

AMERICANA AS YOU CAN GET.

SAW IT IN 2021.

PEOPLE CIRCLED HONOLULU HALE AND KAPOLEI HALE AND THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE IN PERSON.

AND THEY, TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE WATCHING EVERYBODY ELSE.

WATCHING THE PROCESS.

JUST LOOKING FOR SOMETHING.

>> I THINK GOING TO GET AMPLIFIED ESPECIALLY IN THE GENERAL.

>> I THINK WHEN WE WERE, I'VE NEVER SEEN THERE BEING SO MUCH CONTROVERSY OVER VOTING.

THINGS THAT SEEMED VERY SIMPLE, OR VERY LIKE MECHANICAL, ASPECTS OF VOTING, THAT PEOPLE HAVE GENERALLY‑ACCEPTED WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE.

WHEN YOU AWESOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS GOING TO CHANGE ANY TYPE OF THING, RELATED TO VOTING, ANYTHING VOTING RELATED REALLY AT THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, THERE WAS HUGE TURNOUT FROM PEOPLE.

EXTREMELY EMOTIONALLY CHARGED I WOULD SAY.

PEOPLE WERE REALLY REALLY ANGRY ABOUT IT.

AND DISTRUSTFUL OF IT.

SO I THINK I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THERE WASN'T MORE OF THAT THIS ELECTION SEASON.

>>Daryl: ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THAT KIND OF STUFF HAPPENING?

ON ELECTION NIGHT OR RUNOFF?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO PREDICT WHAT THE LINES WILL BE.

IT'S HARD TO DEVOTE SERVICES.

>> LINES ARE PRETTY MUCH ELECTION DAY ISSUE.

DAY BEFORE, YOU COULD HAVE WENT IN AND BEEN LIKE A FIVE MINUTE LINE.

WAITING TO ELECTION DAY, GOING TO BE PREPARED.

YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO WAIT FOR UP TO MAYBE 2 HOURS, 3 HOURS.

REALLY HARD TO DEVOTE RESOURCES FOR ONE DAY.

WHEN IT'S REALLY TEN OR 20, TEN DAY PERIOD THAT THEY CAN VOTE AND ALSO VOTE BY DROPPING OFF BALLOT IN THE MAIL.

>>Daryl: IS THERE A SUSPICION REPUBLICAN VOTERS MAY PREFER THE PAPER BALLOT, THAT THIS WHOLE MAIL IN THING IS EFFORT TO SUPPRESS THEIR VOTE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY'VE GOT THAT IDEA FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM SOME REPUBLICAN LEADERS THAT THEY SHOULD BE SUSPICIOUS OF MAIL‑IN VOTING.

FRANKLY, IT'S VERY SAD.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM.

WHICH WIE AWAY CAST BALLOT IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

BALLOTS SECURE.

MAIL‑IN VOTING SECURE WAY TO CAST YOUR BALLOT.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEWED SUSPICION, I THINK IT'S MAINLY COME FROM THE RIGHT, USUALLY TRY TO BE NEUTRAL BUT I THINK IN THIS CASE, FAIR TO SAY MAINLY COME FROM REPUBLICANS PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THE PROCESS.

REALLY NO REASON TO DO THAT.

BEEN MANY, MANY INVESTIGATIONS, MANY STUDIES OF MAIL‑IN VOTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, EXTREMELY SECURE.

THERE'S NO REASON FOR FOLKS NOT TO TRUST IT.

THERE IS THAT SUSPICION AND THIS IS YET ANOTHER ONE OF OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS WHERE, AND I'M SURPRISED I WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT 15 YEARS AGO, BUT TRUST IS JUST COMPLETELY ERODED.

>> ADD ONE POINT.

I'VE BEEN DOWN TO THE CAPITOL WHILE BALLOTS ARE BEINGEL MAIL‑INS ARE COMING IN.

I'VE INTERVIEWED MANY OBSERVERS VOLUNTEER OBSERVERS.

MANY OF WHOM VERY SCEPTICAL ABOUT THE PROCESS.

TO A PERSON.

ALL SAY, THERE'S REDUNDANCY.

EYEBALLS ON EVERYTHING.

AND I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.

>> YEAH.

TRUST ME,.

>>Daryl: HAVEN'T SEEN REPUBLICAN PARTY ACTIVELY GIVE OUT THAT INFORMATION.

REPUBLICAN OBSERVERSES.

>> THAT'S WHY YOU GOT TO THE READ THE HONOLULU STAR ADVERTISER.

>>Daryl: FIND SOMEBODY.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION.

I CAN ENDORSE ONE PARTICULAR ONE.

>> I WON'T.

>>Daryl: REALLY QUICKLY.

ZACHERY THIELEN, DISTRICTS ON MAUI, REPRESENTED BY KYLE YAMASHITA, NOT YET FILED PAPERS.

TAKEN PAPERS, HASN'T FILED THEM.

BIG ISLAND MAYOR'S RACE, EXCITEMENT, NOT A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THAT RACE.

KITO WELL‑KNOWN.

TOUGH TO PREDICT.

REALLY DOOR‑TO‑DOOR.

>>Daryl: FUN PART.

>> MAYOR KIM BARELY USED TO CAMPAIGN.

I MEAN, DIDN'T SPEND A LOT OF MONEY.

>>Daryl: RUNNING OUT TIME.

ON PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT YOU CAN ACTUALLY NAME A WINNER IF THEY GET 51%.

IN THESE RACES.

NOT LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PRIMARY AND HAVE A RUNOFF.

IT COULD BE ALL OVER ON THAT NIGHT.

GUYS THANKS VERY MUCH.

ACTUALLY HAD RUN OUT OF TIME PRETTY MUCH.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS – POLITICAL ANALYST, COLIN MOORE, ASHLEY MIZUO FROM HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO, CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER, SCOTT NAGO AND DAN NAKASO FROM THE HONOLULU STAR‑ADVERTISER.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS YEAR, SOME ARE QUESTIONING THE INTEGRITY OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, A LOOK AT HOW COUNTY AND STATE ELECTIONS OFFICIALS IN HAWAII WILL MANAGE THE VOTING AND COUNT THE BALLOTS.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON CAN YOU LUNAR NEW YEAR FROM THEM HOW CREDIBLE THESE ELECTIONS WILL BE HANDLED.

PBS HAWAII.

ALOHA!

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