THE RESULTS ARE IN FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION.# WE LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES NOW HEADING TO THE GENERAL# ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

THE COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL# RACES TO WATCH.

PLUS A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR# VOTING TRENDS.

VOTING BY MAIL HAS MADE CASTING A BALLOT MORE# CONVENIENT, BUT IS IT MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HAWAII’S VOTER# PARTICIPATION?

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

..

THE VOTES ARE IN FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION - THE THING# IS, THERE WEREN’T MANY VOTES TO COUNT.# LESS THAN A THIRD OF REGISTERED VOTERS CAST THEIR# BALLOT.# WE’LL TALK MORE ABOUT T..

LAWMAKERS THAT WON’T BE RETURNING TO THE JOB NEXT# SESSION AND WHAT’S TO COME IN NOVEMBER.# 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.# ACCOUNTABILITY AND ETHICS AS A BEAT.# RECENTLY, HE WAS PART OF THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF THE NEW# YORK TIMES LOCAL INVESTIGATIONS FELLOWSHIP.# ASHLEY MIZUO IS HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO’S GOVERNMENT REPORTER.# SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED AS THE CITY HALL REPORTER AT THE# HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER.

SHE HOLDS DEGREES FROM LOYOLA# UNIVERSITY CHICAGO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF# ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD.

DAN NAKASO IS THE CAPITOL# BUREAU CHIEF AT THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER.# BEFORE REPORTING IN HAWAII HE WORKED AT THE LOS ANGELES# TIMES, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINIER AND SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS.# BIG HEADLINE OF THIS YEAR, DEFEAT# OF SCOTT SAIKI STATE HOUSE.# ASHLEY MIZUO, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED THERE?

>> I THINK IT WAS A COUPLE OF THINGS.# FIRST, I THINK CAME DOWN TO PEOPLE# REJECTING ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE## THEY VIEW SPEAKER SAIKI AS THE ESTABLISHMENT.

AND KIM COCO IWAMOTO AS NEWCOMER TRYING TO BE## PROGRESSIVE, COME IN AND CHANGE THINGS I THINK# PEOPLE DECIDED THAT THEY WANT CHANGE IN THE BEST## WAY DO THAT IS VOTE OUT PERSON IN CHARGE.

WHICH IS SPEAKER SAIKI.# SO I THINK REALLY CAME DOWN IT THAT.

I ALSO THINK PART OF IT COMES DOWN TO SPEAKER## SAIKI REFUSED TO DEBATE KIM COCO IWAMOTO PUBLICLY.

KIND OF MAIN REASONS.# >>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THAT# THAT IS WAY IT PLAYED OUT?# MORE LOCAL ISSUES THAT WERE INVOLVED?

>> THERE WAS SOME DISSATISFACTION BACK## TO THE LAST TWO LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS# THAT I THINK PEOPLE DO PAY ATTENTION TO.# AND PART OF IT WAS REFORMS FOLLOWING# THE BRIBERY SCANDALS AND SOME OF## CHANGES THAT DID NOT COME OUT OF LEGISLATURE.

DISTRICT IS ALSO VERY DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL## #SUBURBAN DISTRICT.

HIGHRISES, CONDOS.# HARD TO CAMPAIGN DOOR-TO-DOOR AND I THINK# TH..

NEWCOMERS DOWNTOWN WORKERS NEW ENERGY.

HARD TO GET A PULSE WHAT'S GOING ON.# MIGHT HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR# SCOTT SAIKI TO GET HIS MESSAGES OUT.# >>Daryl: THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED?

>> AGREE.# PERFECT STORM FOR SAIKI.

DAN, AND ASHLEY SAID, TALK TOUGH TO CONNECT## WITH VOTERS IN THAT DISTRICT SO MANY NEW VOTERS.

TOUGH DISTRICT TO CAMPAIGN IN.# SCOTT SAIKI SPENT ENORMOUS MONEY ON THIS CAMPAIGN.

THING I THINK REALLY GOING ON HERE IS## THAT SAIKI FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME TO# REPRESENT THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE.# AT BOSS OR SPEAKER YOU CAN'T# REALLY RUN AWAY FROM THAT.# AND SO I THINK IT WAS EASY FOR KIM COCO IWAMOTO# TO SORT OF PAINT HIM AS THE PROBLEM ESTABLISHMENT.# I DON'T THINK ANYTHING SCOTT SAIKI DID.

NOT SURE IF VOTERS HOW VOTED OR HIS POSITION ON,## VARIOUS ISSUES FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE HE BECAME# SYMBOL OF THEIR FRUSTRATION AT THE LEGISLATURE.# >>Daryl: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS# GOING ON THERE THAT WAS SAIKI HAD A## LOT OF ENDORSEMENT FROM HIGH-POWERED PEOPLE.

GOVERNOR, SENATOR SCHATZ, THINK THAT HELPED## HIM OR HURT HIM IN THE END?

>> THAT VOTE WAS DEFINITELY## AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT.# I TAKE A STAB WHAT HAPPENED# IN THE ONE DID THE DISTRICT.# LOST TWO PRECINCTS ALONG THE KAKAAKO# WATERFRONT JUST BARELY WON IN 2022.# AND OVER THERE LIKE DAN SAID, LOTS# OF CONDOS HIGHRISE CONDO OWNERS.# BEEN DEALING WITH A LOT OF ISSUES TOO.

AND KIM COCO IWAMOTO SOMEONE SAYS SUCCESSFULLY,## MADE CONDO ISSUES AN ISSUE IN THAT RACE.

>> THAT WAS A BIG DEAL.# BUT GOVERNOR TRIED TO HELP HIM# OUT WITH THAT AS MUCH AS HE COULD.# LITERALLY SAYING I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH# THIS SAIKI WAS AT EVERY PRESS CONFERENCE.# CONDO ISSUE, DO YOU THINK THAT'S ONE OF# PEOPLE WERE AGAINST THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.# DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK FOR SOME VOTERS I THINK BLAZE IS RIGHT.# THAT WAS KEY VOTING ISSUE FOR SOME OF THEM.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE BECOME INCREASINGLY## IMPORTANT ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

BECAUSE IT'S JUST HITTING PEOPLE'S POCKET BOOKS.# SO HARD.

SO I THINK THAT WAS KEY.# I THINK IN THAT DISTRICT,# REALLY WAS SOMETHING SYMBOLIC.# KIM COULD RUN AS CHANGE CANDIDATE.

INCREDIBLY WELL FINANCED.# >> DON'T SEE THAT MANY CHALLENGES CAN BRING THOSE# SORTS OF RESOURCES TO RUN AGAINST INCUMBENT.# >> PERSONALLY WEALTHY.

>> RIGHT.# IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN FOR# EXAMPLE, WE WENT TO SYSTEM OF## PUBLICLY FINANCED CAMPAIGN.

>> THROW THAT OUT.# PUSHING.

>> CHALLENGER## COULD BRING THOSE KIND OF RESOURCES TO A RACE,.

>> HISTORICALLY, LOOK BACK, TH..

BETWEEN KIM COCO IWAMOTO AND SCOTT SAIKI.

SHE'S HAD BEEN OUT THERE AND SHE'S BEEN## LISTENING AND MORE PROGRESSED, EVEN THOUGH# SCOTT SAIKI CONSIDERS HIMSELF PROGRESSIVE,## HE'S MORE MODERATE THAN SHE IS.

I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE PLUGGED## INTO THIS DYNAMIC ELECTORATE OUT THERE.

>>Daryl: WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH SCOTT## SAIKI GONE FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

>> DECIDE ON NEW SPEAKER.# ALREADY IN PROGRESS.

EVEN THOUGH OFFICIAL VOTE WON'T BE UNTIL LATER.# THEY'RE DISCUSSING DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

DIFFERENT NEED, ONE THAT KEEPS COMING## UP HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NADINE NAKAMURA.

THE FORWARD FACING OF THE HOUSE.# >> DEMOCRATS TRADITIONAL UNITY BREAKFAST.

SHE HE WAS THE PERSON REPRESENTED HOUSE.# GAVE SPEECHES.

GAVE INTERVIEWS.# REALLY FELT LIKE THEY WERE PUSHING HER FORWARD AS# THIS IS YOU, THIS IS GOING TO BE THE NEW SPEAKER.# SHE REPRESENTS KAUAI.

STARTED HER CAREER IN CITY PLANNING IN HONOLULU.# BEEN A REPRESENTATIVE SINCE 2016.

>> A LOT OF POWER FOR KAUAI BECOMES HOUSE## SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT FROM KAUAI.

>> THAT'S TRUE.# >>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT# WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE HOUSE?# THINK PROGRESSIVES LIKE IWAMOTO TAKE PART?

>> LIKE ASHLEY MENTIONED, UNITY BREAKFAST,## DEFINITELY GROUPS HUDDLE ON THAT SIDE THERE.

ALREADY DECIDING WHO THE NEXT.# >>Daryl: BODY WAS NOT EVEN COLD YET.

>> EXACTLY.# HEATING UP THE NEXT ONE.

NAME WE MOST OFTEN HEARD WAS NADINE NAKAMURA.# WE WERE HEARING THIS WEEK A LOT OF THE# PROGRESSIVES WERE GETTING ICED OUT OF BIGGER## CONVERSATION OF WHO WOULD BE IN THE LEADERSHIP.

THING IS WITH IWAMOTO WINNING DON'T## THINK THEY HAVE THE NUMBERS TO PUSH# CAMPAIGNS THAT PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES## WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE HOUSE.

>>Daryl: FOUR LOST THEIR POSITION.# WHO ELSE LOST THEIR JOB?

>> SAW BURDICK LOST THEIR JOB.# OFFICE MANAGER WIFE OF JOHN MIZUNO.

SURPRISED ABOUT THAT.# IKAIKA HOUSEY WON THAT RACE.

CAMPAIGNING FOR OTHER POSITIONS IN THAT AREA.# BUT HE'S A STRONG CAMPAIGNER.

I THINK ONE WAY COULD EXPLAIN PERHAPS LOSS## DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MIZUNO CAMPAIGNED QUITE AS HARD.

>>Daryl: LOCAL WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PARTICULAR## DISTRICT.

>> IT IS.# A LOT OF IT, IF YOU GET OUT THERE AND YOU REALLY# KNOCK ON ALL THE DOORS..

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT AN INCUMBENT# BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.# I THINK SUNNY ANOTHER INCUMBENT LOST I THINK# THAT WAS A SURPRISE TO NEARLY EVERYONE.# OUR SENSE FAIRLY POPULAR PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE.

STORY CHALLENGER CAMPAIGNED HARDER THAN HE DID.# KALIHI DON'T GET A LOT OF VOTER TURNOUT.

HINGE ON SMALL NUMBER OF VOTES.# I THINK ONLY 1400 VOTES CAST# IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.# >>Daryl: COMES TO LEGISLATURE,# RACES, WHO ELSE DID YOU SEE?# WHERE ELSE DO YOU SEE THIS GOING?

>> THERE IS IKAIKA HUSSEY MORE PROGRESS.# >>Daryl: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST, ATTORNEY.

>> AND LOOKS LIKE THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN## LEADERSHIP UNDER SCOTT SAIKI LIKELY TO ATTEND.

THERE ARE SOME ASCEND.# REPRESENT FROM THE BIG ISLAND# PART OF SAIKI LEADERSHIP.# HE'S GOING TO PUSH RECREATIONAL# LEGAL MARIJUANA AGAIN.# HASN'T GONE ANYWHERE BUT MAYBE THIS IS,# THE NEXT SESSION GETS MORE TRACTION.# >>Daryl: OTHER THING REFORMS# FOR GOVERNMENT PUSHED.# SAIKI WAS BEING BLAMED FOR SUPPOSEDLY# TELLING THEM WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.# ANOTHER AREA COULD SEE SOME MOVEMENT.

DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE REFORM## THEY LEGISLATURE?

IF HE'S FACE THE## LEGISLATURE, THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE.

>> WELL, I THINK SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO SEE.# THEORY WAS THAT SAIKI IS GONE, ALL OF# THESE PROGRESSIVE REFORMS GO THROUGH.# NEW SPEAKER COMING IN, THIS WAS# SORT OF TELLING US WAS IT SAIKI?# OR WAS IT THE BODY MAJORITY THAT WAS DECIDING# EARLY ON, HEY, WE DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON THIS.# DON'T LET THIS COME BEFORE US.# SAIKI TELL US TARNUS WE DON'T WANT THIS.

>>Daryl: HONOLULU, IT'S OVER ALREADY.# NOT GOING TO BE A SINGLE CITY AND# COUNTY RACE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.# DIDN'T THINK OF THAT.

>> I THINK THAT IS JUST CRAZY.# BECAUSE MAYOR WAS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

SPENT $1.8#MILLION.# IN HIS CAMPAIGN.

AGAINST NOT COMPETITIVE RACE.# HE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY REALLY# REALLY STRONG CHALLENGERS.# CHOON JAMES DID DO BETTER# THAN I THOUGHT SHE WOULD.# ONLY RAISED $10,000.

BUT YEAH, THEN ALL## OF THE COUNCIL RACES WERE WON OUT RIGHT.

EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THEM WERE A LITTLE BIT IFFY.# THEY CAME OUT ESTHER KIA'AINA IN KANEOHE.

SHE WON OUT RIGHT AS WELL.# THAT WAS ONE THOUGHT MAYBE COULD GO A RUNOFF.

OPEN SEAT THAT COUNCILMEMBER SAY VACATED.# >>Daryl: SCOTT NISHIMOTO GOT 79%.

>> YEAH.# LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTED THAT DISTRICT.

WHAT HAPPENED?# NO PROSECUTOR?

WAS IN 3 OF THE## COUNCILMEMBERS DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A RACE.

WHICH WAS A LITTLE SURPRISING BECAUSE## THERE SO MUCH ANGER OVER THE COUNCIL RACES# TO CAMPAIGN ON AGAINST TO TAKE THE FULL RACE.# I THINK A LOT OF VOTERS WEREN'T AWARE THAT# YOU COULD WIN DOWNRIGHT IN THE PRIMARY.# TALKING TO SOME FOLKS TODAY WHO WERE# ASKED ME, WAIT, YOU MEAN ELECTION IS OVER?# BLANGIARDI ALREADY WON IN THE PRIMARY?

DON'T GET ANOTHER SHOT AT THIS?# I THINK THAT TOOK A LOT OF PEOPLE BY SURPRISE.

EACH COUNTY HAS THEIR OWN RULES,## WAS THE THREE COUNTY PROSECUTORS HAD# NO CHALLENGE INCLUDING STEVE ALM.# GOING BACK TO THE POINT I MADE LEGALIZED# RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA COMING BACK, HE## WAS THE BIG FORCE AGAINST IT LAST SESSION.

IF IT COMES UP AGAIN, INTERESTING.# PROSECUTOR STEVE ALM HAD NO OPPOSITION.

>>Daryl: BEST COUNTY RACE WE HAD WAS## THE BIG ISLAND MAYOR'S RACE.

BLAZE, WHERE DO YOU, HOW DO## YOU HANDICAP THAT ONE GOING IN THE GENERAL?

>> YOU HAVE MAYOR RICH ROTH AGAINST ALAMEDA,## CRITICIZED THE MAYOR OVER# HAZARD PAY FOR UNION WORK.# HOW HE PICKED UP ENDORSEMENTS FROM UPW AND HGEA.# USED TO SUPPORT MARIJUANA.

DITCHED HIM OVER THAT ISSUE.# I THINK BIGGEST THING THAT'S OPEN HIM UP# POLITICALLY TO GIVE ANY OPPONENT A SORT OF## OPENING AND I THINK TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

>>Daryl: ALSO SEEMS LIKE HE'S QUITE POPULAR## IN HIS OWN RIGHT.

>> CHARISMATIC GUY.# BILLY KENOI.

STRONG CAMPAIGNER.# IN JUNE, PROBABLY 100 PEOPLE.. A LITTLE OFF GUARD IN THAT RACE.

REPORTER SAID WHEN YOU GET TO HILO,## BIG ISLAND, ALAMEDA SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE.

GOT A FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY.# DO YOU THINK HE'S GOING TO WIN?

>> I THINK HE DEFINITELY PROBABLY HAS A CHANCE.# I MEAN, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHERE HE'S AT, HE# IS ALSO LEADER OF THE HAWAII ISLAND TASK FORCE.# REALLY BIG EXAMPLE OUT THERE OF HOW# YOU CAN DEAL WITH OVER DOSES, THEY## HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY FOR A WHILE NOW.

HOSTING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVENTS.# JUST GIVES EVEN MORE PUBLICITY.

ON TOP OF THAT, SAME TASK FORCE THAT HE LEADS,## IS BEING KIND OF MODELED AROUND EACH COUNTY.

SO I THINK THAT ALSO PROBABLY HELPS CAMPAIGN## PURPOSES JUST BEING OUT IN THE# COMMUNITY, MEETING A LOT OF PEOPLE,## ESPECIALLY IN THIS VULNERABLE SITUATION.

>> HARD TO CAMPAIGN ON BIG ISLAND.# BIG, BUT ALSO HISTORICALLY# VERY FEISTY WITH THEIR MAYORS.# I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY, SEEN REALLY# SHOCKING MAYORS RACES IN THE PAST.# I DIDN'T THINK THAT, HADN'T HEARD THAT MAYOR# ROTH HAD DONE ANYTHING POLITICALLY WRONG.# WHAT YOU'RE MENTIONED PROBABLY# COUPLE POLITICAL MISSTEPS.# HE'S HIS OWN GUY.

>> YEAH.# ALMOST ACROSS THE BOARD, YOU HAVE# A LOT OF OLD UNION GUYS AND GALS.# HISTORICALLY STRONG UNION TOWN I THINK.

>> MOVE ON.# OTHER RACES WE HAVEN'T YET TALKED ABOUT.

GENERAL ELECTION RACES THAT WE'RE HEADING## INTO AND JUMPS OUT TO ME IS KIND# OF THE FRONT RACE FOR CLAYTON HEE.# WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT# CLAYTON HEE GETTING TROUNCED?# >> PRETTY SURPRISING.

SPENT LIKE $90,000 ON THAT TV ADS, KNOW HIM## BEING A SENATOR SO LONG.

ONE OF THE THEORIES WORKED MORE## AGAINST HIM THAN HELPED HIM.

RECALL, GUY THAT GUTTED## SHIELD LAW FOR JOURNALISTS.

SORT OF TURNED MEDIA AGAINST HIM AT THAT TIME.# I THINK WITH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL# CONCERNS GOING ON IN THE NORTH SHORE,## WIND TURBINES DEVELOPMENT COMING UP AT TURTLE BAY.

BEN SCHAFFER BEAT HIM BEEN INVOLVED A LOT WITH## A LOT OF THOSE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS.

>> SAW PEOPLE BEHIND HIM DURING THE## ELECTION COVERAGE, A LOT OF LONG TIME# LOCAL ACTIVIST STANDING BEHIND HIM.# INTERESTING GENERAL TO HAVE CLAYTON HEE# DIE-HARD DEMOCRATIC GOING UP AGAINST INCUMBENT.# NEW GENERATION OF HAWAIIANS.

>> NEW GENERATION OF POLITICIANS.# >> WHAT DO YOU ANY OF HIS CHANCE# ATTITUDE TOWARDS CAMPAIGNING.# >> VULNERABLE SEAT BECAUSE I THINK ON TOP OF HIM# ALREADY BEING ONLY ONE OF TWO, REPUBLICANS IN THE## SENATE, THEMSELVES ARE NOT ALIGNED NECESSARILY.

THAT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING THING THAT I NOTICED## WITH REPUBLICAN PARTY ACROSS THE BOARD.

NOT UNITED IN THE WAY THAT DEMOCRATS ARE.# WORKS AGAINST THEM DON'T HAVE AS# MANY PEOPLE COALESCE AROUND THEM.# BUT IN THE END, STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE.

AND I THINK PEOPLE DO LIKE THAT HE CONTINUOUSLY## VOTES NO TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT# PROPOSALS AT THE LEGISLATURE.# ESPECIALLY ONES THAT PEOPLE# MIGHT DEEM MORE FRIVOLOUS.# THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK BECAUSE OF THAT, REALLY MADE## A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE LEGISLATURE WHICH COULD# HELP HIM IN THE RACE WORKS AGAINST HIM OTHER WAYS.# >> HARD DISTRICT.

KANEOHE DEMOCRAT ASIAN KAHUKU SIDE,## A LOT OF NOT REPUBLICANS BUT CONSERVATIVE.

PACIFIC ISLANDERS.# GET TO THE NORTH SHORE, IT'S A COIN TOSS.

HATS OFF TO HIM.# CLAYTON HEE, COUPLE OF NAMES, KEN# INOUYE, FIRST TIMER BUT DAD DAN INOUYE.# >> TRADITIONAL TYPE CANDIDATE.

>> YEAH.# THE NAME ALONE WASN'T ENOUGH.

YOU'VE GOT SCOTT NISHIMOTO CAREER IN THE## LEGISLATURE, WINNING LANDSLIDE IN THE COUNCIL.

>> HARD TO READ THE ELECTORATE.# SO FEW OF THEM.

BOUNCE ONE OTHER THING.# REPUBLICAN CAUCUS OSTRACIZED KALANI# SOUZA, MOST REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE.# ONLY SIX PEOPLE.

SIX OR SEVEN.# SO SHE HAD VERY STRONG COMPETITOR WHO# ENDORSED BY THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN## CAUCUS, BUT SHE WON PRETTY EASILY.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF REPUBLICAN PARTY?# WE'VE GOT BUNCH OF PEOPLE MAYBE# YOU COULD GO THROUGH THAT.# FACE NEW CHALLENGERS IN THIS ELECTION.

NEWCOMERS.# TWO YEARS AGO.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO BE THE## STATUS OF REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AFTER THIS ELECTION?

>> I THINK THAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING QUESTION.# ABOUT THE GENERAL ELECTION.

HAVE ELIJAH FACE COREY ROSEN LEE,## BEST KNOWN FOR BEING HEAD OF HSTA FOR# SEVERAL YEARS THAT COULD BE EITHER WAY.# >> SHOCKED THAT HE LOST.

>> I WAS SHOCKED THAT HE LOST AS WELL.# I DON'T THINK ANYONE WAS# PREDICTING WOULD WIN TWO YEARS AGO.# HE'S BEEN BIT OF CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE.

COMES, I BELIEVE EVANGELICAL MINISTER.# THAT BACKGROUND, STRONG# COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICTS.# TAKEN SOME FAIRLY CONTROVERSIAL# POSITIONS DURING HIS TIME IN OFFICE.# ROSENLEE GOING TO LEAD UNION CONNECTIONS# THERE I CAN'T PREDICT WHO IS GOING TO END## UP WINNING THAT RACE.

THAT'S ONE TO WATCH.# ALL HAVE CHALLENGES EXCEPT FOR SOUZA.

>> THAT CHANGED PARTY,## REPUBLICAN PARTY WORK REALLY# HARD TO RECRUIT CANDIDATES.# THERE'S ALL OF THIS IN# FIGHTING UNDERLYING POSITION.# ONE THING TO THINK ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MUCH# MORE TURNOUT IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER## BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT.

NOW, I TEND TO THINK PROBABLY GOING## TO HELP THE REPUBLICANS JUST A BIT.

I THINK THAT TRUMP VOTERS ARE GOING TO TURN OUT,## HAWAII IS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY TO GO FOR TRUMP.

HELP REPUBLICANS IN SOME OF THESE DISTRICTS## BECAUSE SEE HIGH TURNOUT FOR REPUBLICANS MIGHT# JUST BE ENOUGH IT TO PUT THEM OVER THE EDGE.# ALL OF THESE REPUBLICANS FEW EXCEPTIONS,# ESPECIALLY NEWLY ELECTED REPUBLICANS,## I MEAN, HAVE TO REALLY FIGHT FOR THEIR SEATS.

>> COUPLE QUESTIONS HERE A LOT OF THE SAME LINE.# TRY TO READING VOTERS SENTIMENTS AND CHANGES.

CONTEXT OF I'LL PUT THIS QUESTION IN.# WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC# PARTY NATIONALLY WHERE BIDEN LEFT?# IN COMES KAMALA HARRIS.

ALL OF A SUDDEN,## GOT TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT AMONG# THE PROGRESSIVE PARTS OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY.# SO NOW, BIG ISLAND 2024.

NEW WORLD.# OLD SCHOOL DEMOCRATIC MACHINE IS# NOT CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE ANY MORE.# OLD GUARD, TOO WORRIED ABOUT COLLECTING# TOURISM TAXES TO ADDRESS WHAT PEOPLE NEED.# PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES.

SAIKI COALITION NOT READING THE WRITING## ON THE WALL, RISKY TO CONTINUE TO ICE OUT YOUNGER# PROGRESSIVE LAWMAKERS THAT CAN COME TO BITE THEM.# DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE PROGRESSIVE# SHIFT GIVEN NATIONALLY WHAT'S GOING ON?# YOU'RE NODDING?

>> I HOPE.# I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A WHOLE NEW GENERATION,# YOUNGER VOTERS IN HAWAII ACROSS THE COUNTRY## EXCITED ABOUT DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE.# PRIOR GENERATIONS.

SOME CANDIDATE JUST## GALVANIZE ALL OF THIS GOOD FEELING.

THAT WOULD BE EXCITING FOR VOTER TURNOUT.# ANSWER THE QUESTION YOU GOT, WHEN YOU SPEND# FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE,## YOU ASCEND TO LEADERSHIP, IT'S HARD TO THEN# SAY, WELL, I THINK IT'S SMARTER POLITICALLY## TO INCLUDE OTHER PEOPLE.

YOUNG PROGRESSIVES.# BETTER.

>> PROGRESSIVES BETTER.# OVERALL WITH THE ELECTION I DON'T KNOW# THAT ELECTORATE, PEOPLE VOTING ARE BEING## MORE PROGRESSIVE.

REAL MIXED BAG.# SUNNY, PROGRESSIVE, LOST.

NATALIA LOST.# HUSSEY WON.

KIND OF A MIX IN THE HOUSE, LIKE I SAID EARLIER.# PROGRESSIVES STILL MAKE UP RELATIVELY SMALL# FACTION, AT MOST GOTTEN MAYBE, 11, MAYBE BIT## MORE IF WE'RE BEING GENEROUS.

THAT'S NOT 26.# THAT'S NOT 46.

WHICH IS WHAT NUMBER OF## DEMOCRATS THEY HAVE IN THE HOUSE.

IF YOU'RE PART OF SAIKI/NAKAMURA## COALITION, GOT THE VOTES.

MIGHT NOT BE INCENTIVIZED## TO INCLUDE THEM IN THE CONVERSATION.

>> READING THE WRITING ON THE WALL ABOUT## THE FUTURE.

>> YEAH.# I THINK THAT HAD THE PRESIDENTIAL# ELECTION CHANGED IN THE WAY THAT## VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS NOW NOMINEE.

HAD THAT HAPPENED EARLIER ON, I THINK MAYBE## PROGRESSIVES EXCITED ABOUT VOTING.

YOUNGER PEOPLE.# KIND OF APATHY THROUGH ENTIRE ELECTION.

NOT JUST BECAUSE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS KIND## OF LACKLUSTER NATIONAL ONE BEING# INCREDIBLY LACKLUSTER AS WELL.# WRITING ON THE WALL DEPENDING HOW# PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SHAKES OUT.# I THINK VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS BEATS# FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, SIGNAL IT'S WORKING.# I THINK IF NOT, KIND OF THINK# SETS PEOPLE BACK A LITTLE.# MAYBE MIGHT DAMPEN THAT SENTIMENT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE?# >> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID.

ONE RACE WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT GIVES YOU## INDICATION WE MIGHT SEE IN THE FUTURE.

DISTRICT 20, BERT KOBAYASHI'S OLD SEAT.# CLOSE TO HIM.

WON BY A LOT.# KEVIN WONG ONE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES ENDORSED,# GAVE A LOT OF THE BIG ENDORSEMENTS TO HGEA.# ENDORSED BY KOBAYASHI, DIDN'T PERFORM# NEARLY AS WELL SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT.# SOME OF THESE DISTRICTS HARDLY# HOTBEDS OF LEFT WING ACTIVISM.# RUNNER CHANGE CANDIDATE CAN BE QUITE SUCCESSFUL.

PROGRESSIVES MIGHT BEGIN TO HAPPEN## BECOME A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE.

SOME OF THE YOUNGER PROGRESSIVES BEEN ELECTED,## ARE PRETTY CONNECTED TO POLITICS HERE.

NOT AFRAID TO GET OUT MOBILIZE TO PEOPLE## TO PUSH THEIR POSITIONS.

THEY REALLY ARE,## THEY COME FROM A ACTIVIST BACKGROUND.

>> COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND.# DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PLAY INSIDER GAME.

MOBILIZE FOLKS TO COME DOWN AND PUT MORE## PRESSURE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT LEGISLATURES.

DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO EXTRACT EVERY FAVOR## DURING THE SPEAKER ELECTION.

>> INTERESTING COMMENT.# ANN IN MAKIKI.

I KNOW ANN FROM MAKIKI.# I DON'T THINK IT'S HER.

DIDN'T VOTE FOR BLANGIARDI# BECAUSE OF HOW HE'S CONDUCTED HIMSELF AS A LEADER.

SHE HOPES THAT THE NUMBER OF VOTES SEND A MESSAGE.# THERE WASN'T ANY PUBLIC FORUM.

WASN'T ANY CHANCE TO REALLY SEE THESE CANDIDATES.# STILL GOT A FAIR NUMBER OF VOTES.

>> YEAH.# I THINK WITH MAYOR BLANGIARDI, ONE THING I'VE BEEN# THINKING ABOUT WHY HE DIDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE SUCH## A CHALLENGER, SOMETHING THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMEONE# WOULD STEP UP AND RUN AGAINST HIM, WAS MAYBE IT## WAS JUST BECAUSE HE HAD RAISED SO MUCH MONEY.

SO IF YOU'RE COMING IN AS A CANDIDATE## AND LOOK AT THAT, LOOKING AT THE# $1.8#MILLION OR WHATEVER, JUST THINKING,## HOW AM I EVER GOING TO RAISE THAT AMOUNT OF# MONEY TO BEAT HIM ESPECIALLY SINCE SECOND TERM.# HAD AN ADVANTAGE, INCUMBENT.

MAYBE UPCOMING ELECTION, SEE MORE## COMPETITIVENESS AROUND THAT.

>> ANYBODY ELSE.# >> THERE IS A ECONOMIC CONNECTION BETWEEN WHAT# COLIN WAS TALKING ABOUT, ACTIVISM AND COMMUNITY## ORGANIZING AND VOTER TURNOUT, WHICH IS INTERESTING# CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE.# HOMEOWNERS TEND TO VOTE, RENTERS TEND NOT TO.

SO AS OUR HOMEOWNERSHIP BREAKS DECLINE,## SO DOES VOTER TURNOUT.

CAMPAIGNING A LOT OF YEARS.# HE SAID, IT'S CLEAR TO HIM.

>> VERY INTERESTING POINT.# >> SO NOW WE'VE GOT THIS HOUSING CRISIS.

>> ABOUT WHO IS VESTED IN THE SYSTEM.# WHO FEELS LIKE THE SYSTEM SERVES THEM.

RIGHT.# SO I THINK THERE IS A NEXUS OF AFFORDABLE# HOUSING, OUTRAGE OVER WHAT'S HAPPENING## EXODUS OF PEOPLE LEAVING HAWAII.

SOME NEW BLOOD, NOT WAVE OF NEW BLOOD.# BUT MIGHT BE EXCITING THIS SESSION.

>> COUPLE PEOPLE GREAT DISTRESSED ABOUT THE## LACK OF TURNOUT, BUT QUESTIONS BOTH OF THEM.

LOW VOTER TURNOUT BE ATTRIBUTED## TO LACK OF PLACES TO VOTE?

BIG ISLAND ONLY TWO PLACES TO VOTE IN PERSON.# ONE WITH IN HILO, IN KONA.

ONE# HAD TO GO THERE ON A SATURDAY.# I COULD GO EARLIER.

ONE TURN OUT QUESTION.# WE HAD LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT.

MAILING OUT BALLOTS HOW MANY ARE STALE?# PERSON DOESN'T LIVE OR DIED.

SORT OF LIKE NO, MAYBE NUMBERS SKEWED BY## THE FACT THEY MAIL OUT ALL THESE BALLOTS.

I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION.# TIM FROM KAIMUKI.

TALK ABOUT VOTER TURNOUT.# TECHNICAL REASONS OR OUT# AND OUT NOT WANTING TO VOTE?# >> I THINK THAT MAYBE THE ANSWER MIGHT# BE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION TURNOUT.# BECAUSE YOU WILL SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE GENERALLY# MORE ENERGIZED BECAUSE IT'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.# SO IN THEORY LIGHT MORE# PEOPLE WILL COME OUT AND VOTE.# IN 2020, 51% OF PEOPLE VOTED IN THE PRIMARY.

TURN OUT WAS 69% IN THE## GENERAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

SO I THINK WHEN WE GO BACK AND COMPARE THOSE## NUMBERS, THAT'S HOW YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TELL WHETHER# IT WAS LACKLUSTER CAMPAIGN OR THE OTHER FACTORS.# >> THERE WERE 32.1% VOTER TURNOUT.

LOW.# INTERESTINGLY, WE HAVE 839,000 REGISTERED VOTERS.

PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE.# JUST DON'T VOTE.

>> REGISTERED WHEN YOU GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE?# >> VERY HE'S TO DO.

LIKE MAIL IN.# TURNER TOTAL VOTES CAST.

OF THOSE, 264,929 WERE TASKED BY MAIL.# YEAH.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING BALLOTS.# IF THERE'S A PROBLEM.

YOU CAN MESS UP YOUR BALLOT AND## TAKE TO A VOTER SERVICE CENTER.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK.# >> CALLER RAISE INTERESTING QUESTION.

ARE WE JUST NOT PURGING NUMBER OF REGISTERED## VOTERS QUICKLY ENOUGH AND SO WE'RE GETTING NUMBER.

>> REFLECTED.# CERTAINLY A LITTLE BIT OF TRUTH TO THAT PROBABLY.

IT'S SORT OF FASCINATING TO ME.# LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ACTUAL VOTES, IN HAWAII# PRIMARIES, BEEN ABOUT 300,000 VOTES SINCE 1978.# NUMBER OF VOTES CAST FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

THERE ARE WAYS OF POLITICAL SCIENTIST## CAN MODEL THIS STATISTICALLY.

>> SAME NUMBER VOTES BEEN CAST## PRETTY CONSISTENTLY.

>> ALMOST.# YEAH.

EXACTLY.# JUST LOOK AT THE ABSOLUTELY NUMBER OF# VOTES CAST, IT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT.# JUST AROUND 300,000.

>> POPULATION HASN'T CHANGED## ALL THAT MUCH IN A WHILE.

>> I MEAN,## CERTAINLY GONE UP SINCE.

>> BEEN GOING DOWN RECENTLY.# YOU'RE RIGHT.

BUT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY,## YOU CAN MODEL THIS STATISTICALLY,# POLITICAL SCIENTISTS HAVE DONE THIS.# IF YOU DO THAT, VOTER# TURNOUT GOES UP A LITTLE BIT.# MEASURES VOTING ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS# OF NUMBER OF PEOPLE OVER 18 CITIZENS.# SO THE CALLER IS ON TO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT.

THAT EVEN IF YOU DO THAT, TRY TO CORRECT IT## STATISTICALLY, STILL GET A PRETTY LOW COUNT.

>> DOESN'T TAKE STATISTICS GET## A SENSE EVERYBODY BORED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PROBLEM IS?# >> BEHIND IT, GENERALLY A LACK OF# CANDIDATES WHO COULD BEAT INCUMBENTS## AND JUST A GENERAL LACK OF CANDIDATES TOTAL.

LEAST CANDIDATES RUN IN THIS ELECTION THAN WE## HAVE IN AT LEAST THE LAST DECADE.

THERE'S A COUPLE REASONS.# ONE IS PEOPLE LOOK AT INCUMBENTS# WITH CAMPAIGN WAR CHESTS THINK,## HOW AM I EVER ABOUT GOING TO BEAT THEM?

CAMPAIGNING WAY MORE EXPENSIVE IN HAWAII.# NOW, SENATORS, COUNCILMEMBERS, SPENDING# BETWEEN 80 AND $100,000 PER ELECTION.# THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

FROM BACK IN THE DAY.# COULD GET AUNTIE, UNCLE, SOME FRIENDS# DONATE TO YOU AND RUN EVERYTHING YOURSELF.# BIG SEA CHANGE THERE.

EVEN IN THE COMPETITIVE## RACES, WE SAW TURNOUT DROPPED.

SAIKI DISTRICT, IN THIS YEAR, ABOUT 35% TURNOUT.# TWO YEARS AGO, CLOSER TO 40.

>> TWO YEARS AGO, GOVERNOR'S RACE.# HOT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

INTERESTING TO SEE WHETHER THIS YEAR,## GENERAL ELECTION HAVING PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

THINGS SORT OF FLIP AROUND AGAIN.# YOU'RE STILL, SAME PEOPLE REGISTERED.

SAME PEOPLE GET THEIR VOTE, MAIL-IN BALLOTS.# FUN TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> I DID WANT TO ADD THAT NOT## THIS ELECTION, BUT THE UPCOMING ONE STATE HAS# ENROLLED IN ERIC SYSTEM DATA-SHARING BETWEEN## DIFFERENT SEVERAL DIFFERENT STATES.

THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE EASIER WAY FOR## THEM TO CLEAR OUT VOTER RECORDS.

REGISTERED IN TWO PLACE PROCESS## IS LITTLE TAXING AND LONG AND I THINK THAT THE# SYSTEM SO SUPPOSED TO STREAMLINE SOME OF THAT.# MAYBE WE'LL SEE A LOT MORE VOTER CLEAROUTS.

>> WE DID GET MY DAUGHTER'S BALLOT IN THE MAIL.# SHE LIVES IN WASHINGTON STATE.

I HAVE TO SAY, LITTLE TEMPTING.# THIS THEORY.

>> IT'S A FELONY.# I'M NOT GOING TO COMMIT NO FELONY.

>> NOT YOUNG ENOUGH TO COMMIT FELONIES## FOR FUN ANY MORE.

OKAY.# SO COUPLE MORE VOTER TURNOUT QUESTIONS.

WHAT ABOUT INCENTIVES FOR VOTERS?# GIFT CARD OR DISCOUNT ON COUNTY# SERVICE BRIAN IN KAIMUKI.# I SAY I VOTED STICKER.

I REMEMBER THAT.# USED TO GO SHOW UP.

>> I STILL GET ONE.# FEW YEARS AGO.

I'M NOT SURE ACTUALLY BACK TO ONE OTHER COMMENT,## WEREN'T THAT MANY POLLING PLACES, NEED TO POINT# OUT A LOT OF DROPBOXES FOR YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOTS.# IF YOU DIDN'T FEEL LIKE YOU# WANTED TO MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT,## I DIDN'T BECAUSE I WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE AS# ALWAYS, I JUST DROP IT AFTER AT YOUR WHATEVER.# >> ALSO A THEORY BECAUSE PRIMARY WAS HELD ON# A SATURDAY, THERE MIGHT HAVE HELPED SUPPRESS.# >> LESS THAN 4,000 PEOPLE VOTED.

>> THINK THAT MAYBE IT WOULD HELP## BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT LIKE RUNNING FROM# YOUR OFFICE TRYING TO GET THERE.# HAVE YOU ALL DAY ON A WEEKEND.

>> I COULD SAY THAT BOTH WAYS.# >> REMEMBER, THAT OLD DAYS TOO.

RAN TO DO IT DAY OF THE ELECTION, AND PEOPLE## SAY THEY LOST THE ELECTION BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.

THAT WAS COMMON.# FRANK FASI USED TO SAY, WEATHER IS BAD# OR U.H.

FOOTBALL GAME, I'M GOING TO LOSE.# >> REASON TO ASK AGAIN.

I STILL REMEMBER GOING VOTING BOOTH## WITH MY MOM HANGING ON HER SKIRT.

I DID THAT TOO.# >> OTHER THING.

I DO MISS THAT PART OF IT.# >> JUST SINCE WE'RE CHATTING,# EFFICIENCY NOW IS SO DRAMATIC.# WE DON'T HAVE TO SIT THERE ELECTION NIGHT# WAITING FOR ONE PRINT OUT AFTER ANOTHER.# DON'T HAVE TO WAIT, DRIVE BALLOTS.

DID HAVE TO DRIVE THEM FROM KONA TO## HILO THIS YEAR.

PRINTOUT COMES OUT 7:00.# THAT ELECTION IS OVER.

YEAH, NEXT PRINTOUT 4,000.# AND THEY'RE ALL ELECTION WORKERS ARE SITTING# THERE STATE CAPITOL WAITING FOR THE NEXT.# IT'S SO MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

I'M SURE WAY CHEAPER.# MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

COLIN.# >> I'LL PLUG, WHICH IS THAT WE CAN'T# DO ANYTHING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE.# I DON'T THINK.

I MEAN, WE HAVE## DONE PRETTY MADE ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY# CHANGES TO MAKE .. WE'RE NOT SEEING AS MANY CANDIDATES MAYBE# BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE EXPOSURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.# DON'T THINK THEY CAN RAISE THAT KIND OF MONEY.

THEY DON'T THINK THEY CAN ASK THEIR FRIENDS## FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY BECAUSE WORKING# FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING SO MUCH TO GET BY.# SO HOW MIGHT YOU SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

>> GO BACK TO SOLUTION STATE HAD IN 1978.# CREATE A ROBUST SYSTEM OF PUBLIC FINANCING.

>> HAD THAT IN 1978?# >> OF THE CON-CON.

CAME OUT OF CON-CON.# DIDN'T EXIST.

ONE WE HAVE NOW.# YES.

THIS WOULD BE I THINK PROPOSED## OVER THE YEARS, MUCH MORE ROBUST PROGRAM.

DIED IN THE LEGISLATURE LAST TWO SESSION.# PROVIDE REALLY WHAT AMOUNTS# TO A GRANT FOR FOLKS TO RUN.# >> SUBSTANTIAL.

>> QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.# MONEY WOULD BE ENOUGH TO FOR ANYONE# TO RUN VERY COMPETITIVE CAMPAIGN.# >> TALKED TO FAIR NUMBER OF FOLKS INTERESTED# IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS FOR WHOM FUNDRAISING## IS SO DISTASTEFUL.

FROM RURAL COMMUNITIES.# JUST EVEN A LOT OF POLITICIANS# DON'T LIKE TO HAVE TO RAISE MONEY.# >> I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER KNOWN# A POLITICIAN LIKED TO RAISE MONEY.# GREAT WET BLANKET IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM.

>> THIS ELECTION COMMISSION HAS MADE## DECISION TO ALLOW CANDIDATES TO USE SOME OF# THEIR CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR CHILD CARE PURPOSES.# WHICH SOME CANDIDATES HAVE SAID, KIND OF OPENED# DOOR FOR CAREGIVERS OR MOTHERS TO USE THOSE## OR FATHERS TO USE THAT FUND TO TAKE CARE OF# THEIR KIDS SO GO DOOR-TO-DOOR AND CAMPAIGN.# I SPOKE TO CAMPAIGN SINGLE MOTHER AND SHE# SAID, DO WITH MY KIDS IF I NEED TO CAMPAIGN.# DON'T HAVE CHILD CARE.

AND THE SIGN.# >> VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.

SO YEAH, I THINK THAT'S ABOUT BRINGING DOWN THOSE## BARRIERS TO EMPLOYER CANDIDATES TO ENTER THE RACE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LOCAL FINANCING IDEA?# >> IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP A FEW FEW TIMES# IN THE LEGISLATURE, INCUMBENT DEMOCRATICS,## A LOT OF THEM THINK IT'S GOING TO BE# A HANDOUT OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.# MAYBE BEAT THEM.

MAYBE IT KEEPS DYING.# OTHER ARGUMENT, NOT NECESSARILY# ARGUMENT, BUT PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT## IT SORT OF BRING THIS UP TOO, COST OF IT.

I THINK SAID SOMETHING LIKE $35#MILLION.# SOME HEARTBURN OVER THE COST.

>> BETTER GIVE A BIG TAX## CUT TO HELP YOUR INCUMBENTS.

PART OF DAN'S VOTER APATHY ARTICLE.# SPOKE ABOUT THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM.

RECOGNIZED PEOPLE OF HAWAIIAN## KINGDOM SO I CAN'T VOTE.

IS THERE DISENCHANTMENT OF POLITICS.# ANOTHER REASON?

>> TALK TO FAMILY AND## FRIENDS WHO DON'T VOTE, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.

WHY VOTE BECAUSE NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE.# DEFINITELY THAT FEELING OUT THERE.

>> PEOPLE DON'T VOTE BECAUSE NOTHING EVER CHANGES.# POLITICIANS TALK.

EVERY YEAR.# POLITICIANS DON'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH REAL.

I GET THE FEELING THAT WAS A LITTLE## COLORFUL QUOTE.

>> I SENT THAT.# (LAUGHTER).

>> ARE WE## SEEING THIS SORT OF AIR COMING# OUT OF OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.# FEW PEOPLE ARE VOTING?

DEPRESSING THOUGHT BUT REALLY,## ASHLEY, YOU'RE THE YOUNG ONE HERE.

>> WE'RE THE SAME AGE.# >> IS THE NEXT GENERATION GOING TO SAVE US?

>> THAT'S WHY, I'M SORRY, I KNOW HE ASKED YOU.# EXCITED ABOUT POTENTIAL NOVEMBER COULD MOBILIZE# YOUNGER FOLKS EXCITED TO VOTE IN THAT ELECTION.# IT MIGHT SPILL OVER.

BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE SOME EFFORT.# TO SOME PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE# THEY'RE AKAMAI ENOUGH TO VOTE.# THEY DON'T WANT TO CAST THE WRONG VOTE.

DOES TAKE SOME EFFORT.# JUST SHOWING UP IS PART OF IT.

SORRY.# >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I THINK TOO BECAUSE WE'RE# IN HAWAII, PEOPLE FEEL REMOVED FROM THE NATIONAL## CONVERSATION WITH POLITICS.

SO I THINK HERE, I GET## SOMETIMES COMMENTS LIKE IT'S TOO DIVISIVE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT## BECAUSE DON'T KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR COMES DOWN TO# SEPARATING LOCAL AND STATE POLITICS AND HOW THAT## EFFECT US DIRECTLY FROM THE NATIONAL POLITICS.

WE'VE COME SO SEE VERY DIVISIVE## AND THEY VERY NASTY.

CANDIDATES TO ABLE## TO DEMONSTRATE TO VOTERS THIS MEANS BETTER# STREETS OR LESS POTHOLES, LOWER PROPERTY TAXES,## THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN CONTEXTUALIZE, THOSE# ARE THE CANDIDATES THAT DO REALLY WELL.# ONES THAT HAVE RELY A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE# NATIONAL MOVEMENT OF THINGS I THINK THEY SEE## LESS TURNOUT IN HAWAII.

>> ONE QUICK QUESTION.# STACY, DO YOU THINK VOTER TURNOUT# INCREASE IF WE IMPLEMENTED MORE## ROBUST CIVICS CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> THERE ARE LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THAT## IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> I WOULD SAY YEAH.

100%.# WHY DO YOU SAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE EVEN# FORGET OR DIDN'T LEARN, OR JUST SO MUCH TO## LEARN ABOUT GENERAL CIVICS OF HOW EVERYTHING# WORKS, JUST KIND OF GETS LOST IN THE MIX.# WHY PEOPLE DON'T VOTE, ARE WE# VOTING FOR MAYOR OR GOVERNOR?# WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?# I THINK EDUCATION IS REALLY HELPFUL.

>> I'VE BEEN ON COUPLE OF TASK FORCES## FROM THE D.O.E.

TO IMPROVE CIVIC EDUCATION IN A# WAY THAT CONTEMPORARY EDUCATORS THINK ABOUT THIS,## LEARNING NUT AND BOLTS IS IMPORTANT.

LEARNING CONSTITUTION IS IMPORTANT# BUT ALSO, WHAT THEY CALL# CIVICS SKILLS AND DISPOSITIONS.# THAT MEANS GETTING STUDENTS COMFORTABLE WITH# PERHAPS TESTIFYING, WRITING LETTERS TO EDITOR## OR ENGAGING IN THESE KIND OF CIVIC DEBATES.

SO I THINK D.O.E., ACTUALLY RELATIVELY NEW## D.O.E.

STANDARD COMES OUT, EMBRACED ALL OF THAT.

TROUBLE IS IT'S CROWDED OUT OFTEN BY TIME SPENT## ON LANGUAGE ARTS, ON MATH, BECAUSE# THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE TESTED.# ONLY ONE SOCIAL STUDIES SPECIALIST IN THE ENTIRE# D.O.E.

IN CHARGE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.# COUPLE OF PROPOSALS OVER THE LAST# COUPLE OF YEARS TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING.# CREATE MORE ROBUST CURRICULUM, TALK# TO TEACHERS, A LOT OF THEM SAY I## WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO MORE SPECIFICS EDUCATION, BUT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THAT KIND OF PROFESSIONAL## DEVELOPMENT OR MATERIAL TO IMPLEMENT.

MORE CIVICS EDUCATION,## SOME OF IT IS A FUNDING ISSUE.

>> WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL EONS AGO,## CIVIC CLASSES ONLY A SEMESTER, LAW, LEARNED# ABOUT CONGRESS, HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW.# I'M JUST A BILL ## ### I DON'T REMEMBER LEARNING WHAT MUFI HANNEMANN'S# JOB WAS OR CITY COUNCIL THAT IS GOING TO BE## FIXING OR NOT FIXING MY ROAD.

I'M LITERALLY OLD ONE HERE.# DAN AND I ARE COMPETING A LITTLE BIT.

I REMEMBER BEING IN SCHOOL DURING THE## VIETNAM WAR SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSES WERE# VIGOROUS IN TERMS OF DEBATING THE ISSUES AND## FUTURE AND IT WAS CRAZY ANXIETY AND CONFLICT.

BUT NOW, AFRAID TO BRING THAT INTO A CLASSROOM.# YOU SEE THAT?

>> WE HAD MOCK TRIAL WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL## ABOUT MASSACRE, FAST FORWARD, READING THE OPEN.

DIFFERENT TIME.# MARCHING IN THE STREETS.

JUST MORE ENGAGEMENT IN GENERAL.# COLIN, ARE EDUCATORS AFRAID TO BRING ACTUAL# DEBATE OVER POLITICAL ISSUES INTO THE CLASSROOM?# AROUND THE COUNTRY, YOU LET KIDS TALK# ABOUT TRANSGENDER, ABORTION IN SCHOOL,## PARENT TAKE UP TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> EDUCATORS ARE A LITTLE MORE## CAUTIOUS THAN IN THE PAST.

STUDENTS ARE LESS WILLING TO ENGAGE## IN DEBATE THAN THEY WERE IN THE PAST.

SO I THINK BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING ON.# I HAVE TALKED TO SOME EDUCATORS WHO ARE A# LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT BRINGING CONTROVERSIAL## TOPICS INTO THE CLASSROOM.

>> TAKES SKILL.# YOUNGER PEOPLE ACTIVE.

>> WONDERFUL KIDS ON## CLIMATE CHANGE LAWSUIT.

>> CLIMATE CHANGE LAWSUIT.# YOU SEE YOUNG, YOUNG KIDS FROM I THINK YOUNGEST# ONE IS LIKE 8 OR 9 YEARS OLD INVOLVED IN THIS## AND FROM THERE ALL THE WAY UP TO PEOPLE STARTING# COLLEGE HAVE SUED BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT## DOING ENOUGH TO PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE'RE NOT IMPLEMENTING ENERGY## GOALS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

>> WE NEED TO TO SAVE OUR CLIMATE FROM EXPLODING.# SO I THINK THAT THERE IS A GENERATION THAT ACTIVE.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S ACTIVE IN THE SAME WAY## BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST SO MANY DIFFERENT VARIABLES# YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT YOU DIDN'T BEFORE.# I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST AS ENERGIZED.

JUST A DIFFERENT WAY.# >> RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GETTING# INVOLVED AND GETTING RESULTS.# HUGE STEP TO VOTING, NUMBER ONE.

WHEN I WAS A KID GROWING UP IN SAN## JOSE MAYOR, HER STORY WAS SHE WANTED TO GET# A STOP SIGN IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD FOR HER KIDS.# AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW, SHE'S# RUNNING AND BECOMES MAYOR.# PLEASE.

>> NATIVE HAWAIIAN ISSUES.# THERE'S A HUGE GROUND SWELL THERE AS WELL.

THAT ALSO IS CONNECTED INTO THE ENVIRONMENT## AND A LOT OF OTHER SUSTAINABILITY AND SO ON.

DO YOU SEE THAT HAPPENING TOO, YOUNG NATIVE## HAWAIIANS VOTERS IN PARTICULAR?

>> YEAH.# I THINK ONE THING TO POINT OUT# FIRST IS THAT NATIVE HAWAIIANS## AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN VOTE IS NOT A MONOLITH.# THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT STRATAS WITHIN# IN A POPULATION THAT MIGHT GO DIFFERENT## WAYS I THINK WE SAW THAT WITH GOVERNOR# GREEN'S ELECTION AGAINST KAI KAHELE.# YOU KNOW, IT'S DEFINITELY# MOBILIZED CERTAIN POPULATIONS.# WHEN THE WIND TURBINE# PROTESTS IN KAHUKU, MAUNA#KEA.# RESULTED IN MORE PEOPLE RETURNING# FOR OFFICE SITTING ON SOME OF THESE## COMMISSIONS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I NOTICED NATIVE HAWAIIAN ISSUES THERE IS A## COMMONALITY PARTICULARLY TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL# STEWARDSHIP, SUSTAINABILITY RESPONSIBILITY## OF THE LAND, WATER.

>> BIG ISLAND TOURISM.# RIGHT.

>> QUICK QUESTION FROM ERIC IN KAILUA.# HOW IMPORTANT IS THE YOUTH VOTE TO EITHER PARTY,# YOUNG PEOPLE VOTE FOR CANDIDATES OR ISSUES.# GROWING YOUTH MOVEMENT GOOD OR# BAD FOR ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR?# TRY THAT ONE.

>> YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT IT I CAN SEE.# >> I THINK IT'S KIND OF IMPORTANT TO LOOK# AT AGAIN, YOUTH VOTE IS NOT A MONOLITH.# I TEND TO THINK THAT I'VE SEEN MORE# PROGRESSIVES, YOUNG MORE PROGRESSIVE## YOUNGER PEOPLE PARTICULARLY IN HAWAII.

BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY THEY VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS## BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REALLY# EXCITED ABOUT ANY PARTICULAR POLITICAL PARTY.# I THINK IT DOES COME DOWN OFTEN TO# THE ISSUES OR HOW PEOPLE ARE VOTING.# TYPES OF POLICY THEY'RE PUTTING FORTH.

I THINK THAT ENVIRONMENT IS REALLY## IMPORTANT ONE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEY SEE CLIMATE CHANGE HAPPENING## AND WHAT OUR FUTURE MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

THAT DOES ENERGIZE THEM.# SOMETHING THAT REALLY IMPORTANT YOUNGER PEOPLE.

>> NATIONAL LEVEL I THINK YOUTH VOTE GOING TO BE## TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL# ELECTION, VOTERS BIDEN WAS HEMORRHAGEING## BEFORE HE DROPPED OUT, IT WAS 18 TO 25.

I THINK HE WAS LOSING THOSE ACROSS THE BOARD.# OVERALL, THOSE STILL TEND TO BE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS.

BUT A LOT OF THOSE YOUNGER PEOPLE## MOVING INTO THE TRUMP CAMP.

REALLY CHANGED WITH HARRIS CANDIDACY,## A LOT OF THEM HAVE COME BACK, TO THE DEMOCRATS.

YOUNG VOTERS TEND TO BE RELATIVELY DISENGAGED.# QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT THEY# TURN OUT OR DON'T TURN OUT.# NATIONAL LEVEL, I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS YOU'RE# SAYING HARRIS NUMBERS IMPROVE IS BECAUSE SHE'S WON## BACK OR EXCITED A LOT OF THOSE YOUNG VOTERS.

>> BIG CHALLENGES NEXT WEEK IS THREADING THE## NEEDLE BETWEEN PALESTINIAN SYMPATHIZERS,# YOUNG PEOPLE AND NOT ALIENATING THEM.# >> SOLUTIONS.

HAVE TO MESSAGE ON THAT PRETTY DELICATELY.# THAT'S A YOUTH VOTE.

THREE QUESTIONS.# GO BACK TO THE VOTER TURNOUT THING.

I'M GOING TO TURN THIS ON.# MEDIA BECAUSE FOUR OR FIVE OF US# EMPLOYED BY MEDIA ORGANIZATION.# LOW VOTER TURNOUT MIGHT BE DUE TO PEOPLE# PROCRASTINATING SENDING IN MAILED BALLOTS.# ELECTION DAY WAS TOO LATE.

ELECTION DAY NEEDS TO BE MORE PUBLICIZED.# PAST ELECTIONS, A LOT OF MATERIAL# ABOUT MAILBOX AND PRINTEDOUTS## CANDIDATES, YOU LOTS OF CANDIDATE ON TV THIS# YEAR I SAW VERY LITTLE OF CANDIDATES ON TV.# BARELY EVEN REALIZED WE HAD# A PRIMARY CAME AND WENT.# PEARL CITY.

I DIDN'T VOTE FOR MAYOR## RACES I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.

AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION## ABOUT THEM.

PEARL CITY.# IS THE MEDIA TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, ARE WE SEEING A# LOT LESS COVERAGE OF POLITICS IN THE LOCAL MEDIA?# >> THEY CAN GO TO CIVIL# BEAT.ORG ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.# TELLING YOU BEFORE, ON THE SHOW, ON MAUI# LAST WEEK COVERING ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRES.# THREE STORIES ON THE ELECTION.

WHILE I WAS IN MAUI.# COVERING FIRES.

>> THAT'S A WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION.# OLD DAYS YOU MIGHT BE WRITING# THOSE STORIES SEVERAL TIMES.# >> I WOULD ALSO SAY I KEPT HEARING BEFORE# THE PRIMARY, THAT DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES## BOTH YOUNG AND I'M COUPLES AND NEWCOMERS HAD# GROUND STRATEGIES FOR GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR.# INCUMBENTS AND NEWCOMERS, CURIOUS# WHETHER PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAW THAT.# >> NOT JUST SOMETHING IN THE MAIL.

BUT CANDIDATES KNOCKING ON THE## DOOR AND TALKING STORY.

>> YOU'RE NOT EMPLOYED BY ANY## PARTICULAR MEDIA ORGANIZATION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?# DO YOU THINK HAVE YOU SEEN A REAL REDUCTION# IN POLITICAL COVERAGE IN LOCAL MEDIA.# >> YES.

BUT YOU DON'T THINK IT'S THE FAULT OF MEDIA.# I THINK IT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE LOCALLY# IS FACT THAT LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS AND## HARDER AND HARDER TIME IN EMPLOYING NUMBER# OF JOURNALISTS YOU WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE## THAT SORT OF ROBUST COVERAGE.

SO AS A RESULT, JUST LESS TIME.# FEWER REPORTERS OUT THERE COVERING CANDIDATES.

I ALSO SAY I THINK A LOT OF CANDIDATES## DODGE THE MEDIA.

MANY INSTANCES## OF THAT ON THIS VERY PROGRAM FOR EXAMPLE.

INCUMBENTS AND OTHERS DECIDED THEY DIDN'T## WANT TO APPEAR IN THIS SORT OF FORUM AND# THAT DOESN'T HELP EDUCATE THE VOTERS.# MIGHT BE RIGHT STRATEGICALLY,# NOT THE RIGHT CIVIC MOVE.# ARE YOU SEEING THAT TOO?

SOMETIMES CANDIDATES DON'T WANT TO DO MEDIA,## WANT TO DO CAMPAIGNS WITHIN THEIR OWN.

>> DEFINITELY.# I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF TIMES, FOLLOWING UP.

FOLLOWING UP ON THIS.# JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON MY EMAIL.

CALLING THEM ON THE PHONE, DON'T ANSWER.# AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU.# YEAH, I THINK IT'S GOTTEN AS LIKE COLIN SAID,# JUST LESS JOURNALISTS HERE IN THE ISLAND SO YEAH.# >> WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I REMEMBER TWO YEARS AGO DURING## THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, BJ PENN WAS RUNNING REFUSED# TO DO INTERVIEW WITH ANYONE IT CIVIL BEAT BECAUSE## I FORGOT THE REASONS.

BUT SOMETHING.# TRADITIONAL MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND OUR STRATEGY IS# GOING TO BE TO REACH VOTERS DIRECTLY ON INSTAGRAM.# SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT WAS HIS CAMPAIGN.# FOR YOU WE MENTIONED GET HIM# TO SHOW UP FOR ONE DEBATE.# VERY CUTE.

HIM AND DUKE AIONA CALLED HIM UNCLE.# FINE.

BUT YEAH,## I MEAN, SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF POLITICIANS NOW JUST# FIGURE I'M.. DON'T NEED THE FREE MEDIA.

>> WHY SUBMIT## YOURSELF TO TOUGH QUESTIONS.

>> ALSO GO BACK FEW HIGHLY COMPETITIVE RACES## AND WHO IS RESPONSIBILITY IS FOR# GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT THOSE RACES?# WHEN THEY'RE NOT VERY INTERESTING.

>> IT IS PART OF HUMAN NATURE.# READING A STORY IN MAY, ABOUT AN AUGUST#10# PRIMARY, I THINK YOU'RE THINKING, WELL,## I DON'T NEED TO REALLY IMMERSE# MYSELF UNTIL WE GET CLOSER TO IT.# PART OF THAT WHOLE WANTING TO GET ENGAGED EARLY# AND EDUCATE YOURSELF VERSUS, THREE MONTHS TO## REALLY KIND OF FIGURE IT OUT.

>> COLIN, LAST WORD.# WHAT SHALL WE SHOULD FORWARD TO MOST# IN THE GENERAL ELECTION OTHER THAN## THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONMENT WHAT DO YOU# THINK IS GOING TO BE THE MOST FUN LOCALLY.# >> SEE IF MITCH ROTH WINS RE-ELECTION# AND HOW REPUBLICANS PERFORM?# YOU NEED TO TALK LONGER.

WHAT DO YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR?# >> I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO BE# WATCHING TO SEE WEST SIDE OF OAHU.# I THINK THAT THEY'RE VULNERABLE BOTH WAYS.

AND NOT SURE WHICH WAY THEY'RE GOING TO TURN OUT.# WATCHING THOUGH.

>> BLAZE?# FOCUS ON.

>> YEAH.# LEEWARD OAHU RACE.

AL..

BETWEEN KELLY KING AND TOM COOK,# DECIDE POWER BALANCE ON COUNCIL.# YOU WERE ON MAUI.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE## POLITICS ARE LIKE ON MAUI AFTER THE FIRE?

>> EVERYBODY IS UNDER PRESSURE TO FIND## OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> RUN OUT OF TIME.# THANK YOU DAN.

THANK YOU ALL FOLKS## AT HOME FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT# AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS.

POLITICAL ANALYST COLIN MOORE# AND ASHLEY MIZUO FROM HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO.# BLAZE LOVELL FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT AND DAN NAKASO FROM# THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER.

NEXT WEEK, WE’RE BACK TO# SITTING DOWN WITH THE CANDIDATES, THIS TIME# FEATURING CANDIDATES FOR MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL - SPECIFICALLY# THE DISTRICTS OF SOUTH MAUI AND MOLOKAI.# PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON# PBS HAWAII.

ALOHA.# ## ##