How does one run for politics?

[Beachboy]

Since I'll be moving to the Big Island at end of month. I was curious what it takes to run for local politics? I was thinking of City Council on the Big Island. Where does one go to find out how to qualify to run for local politics?

Apathy is a big problem in Hawaii. We all sit around and bitch & moan about this guy or that gal, etc,etc.. So, I'd like to take it beyond just complaining at the dinner table at home, or at work to co-workers. I see strippers, surfers, and all walks of life running for office of one sort or another over the years. I figure the outer islands would be the easiest area to start this proccess. Anybody got some ideas?

[helen]

I think you need to contact the County Clerk's office.

[Jonah K]

Since I'll be moving to the Big Island at end of month. I was curious what it takes to run for local politics? I was thinking of City Council on the Big Island. Where does one go to find out how to qualify to run for local politics?

Apathy is a big problem in Hawaii. We all sit around and bitch & moan about this guy or that gal, etc,etc.. So, I'd like to take it beyond just complaining at the dinner table at home, or at work to co-workers. I see strippers, surfers, and all walks of life running for office of one sort or another over the years. I figure the outer islands would be the easiest area to start this proccess. Anybody got some ideas?
Here's a link to a PDF that covered the "Candidate Filing Process" for the last round of elections in Hawai'i...:cool:
http://www.hawaii.gov/elections/factsheets/fsbo112.pdf

And, here's a link to the Elections Division of the Hawai'i County Clerk.
http://www.hawaii-county.com/elections/index.html

Cheers,

Jonah K

[Vanguard]

Since I'll be moving to the Big Island at end of month. I was curious what it takes to run for local politics? I was thinking of City Council on the Big Island.

Carpetbagger! :P

Seriously, good luck, hope it works out!

[i-hungry]

Lots of money!

[Leo Lakio]

Drop a PM to timkona; he has first-hand experience in running for political office on Hawai`i Island. He was not elected, but I would think he has information on the process that you may find useful.

[1stwahine]

Announce it on HT!:D

I did...but I neva run.:p

Rememba everybody???

http://hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=7432&highlight=auntie+pupule+governor

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Auntie Lynn

[Hellbent]

I'm pretty ignorant of politics, but what do you think would happen if people were lottoried into politics? would it be better then what we have now? =p

"oh crap, i just got mail that i have to serve as governer next year... Can I get out of it like jury duty?"

[timkona]

I ran for County Council in District 6 on the Big Island, which includes South Kona, Kau, and Upper Puna.

You must get some signatures on a petition, file your paperwork with a photo, and pay your money. It's easy to get on the ballot.

Getting elected is another story all together. Running for office left a very bad taste in my mouth. The voters who vote don't know, and the voters who know don't vote. Suicidal liberalism is the order of the day. Cognitive Dissonance is the prevailing thought pattern on most subjects. Dogma is more important than facts or science. "Belief" and "Opinion" are valued over truth and history.

It's pretty funny to watch old Mr. Jacobsen get batted around like a whipping dog. He's nearly the senior member on the council, while juniors and freshman get the Chair and Vice Chair roles. But the folks love him in spite of his perennial lame duck status. Go Figger??

If you are a dyed in the wool lib-nut, enviro-whacko, anti-growth, anti-future, candidate, with a dog & pony show about how much you truly care, then you got a good shot at it. Would also help if you got a relative somewhere high up in the Dem Party Machine of Hilo.

If you are a logical, sensible, straight talker, using science and facts to bolster your positions, then you don't stand a chance. :cool:

[poinographer]

How about some cheese with that whine? :)

[timkona]

Hell, I'd settle for pretzels & beer. :D

[1stwahine]

Gosh! I wanna have a shot of Crown Royal right now!:p

Cyber toast to you two gentelmen!;)

Auntie Lynn

[lavagal]

Sigh. I could never run for office. Hmmmm.

[Beachboy]

Fred Hemmings was just a surfer who had a vision. Jumped into politics and made it happen for him.

I mean look at the old KHON Sportcaster...,what was his name...he ran against Mazie Hirono? What was his political background? Nestor Garcia another newscaster got into local politics too.

[Miulang]

Fred Hemmings was just a surfer who had a vision. Jumped into politics and made it happen for him.

I mean look at the old KHON Sportcaster...,what was his name...he ran against Mazie Hirono? What was his political background? Nestor Garcia another newscaster got into local politics too.
Yeah, but dem guys had name/face recognition before they ran for office, which is good way to start. Look at the Gov. of California: he didn't have any legislative experience and yet he was still elected (twice) to that office. If he hadn't been in all those movies, he'd still be an ex-body builder from Austria.

The best way to get started in politics is to get involved behind the scenes: attend council meetings (and make statements so your comments are noted on record), volunteer for causes you believe in, help someone else get elected (gives you hands on experience on how it's done), and get your street cred that way first.

Miulang

P.S. Running for political office also puts your whole family in the limelight. How does your family feel about living life in a fishbowl? And would you worry if somebody tried to dig up dirt on you?

[Deep Thought]

Even if you are completely prepared, well-financed, well-organized AND in touch with your district you can lose because of things not even related to the race you are running in. Luck and a willingness to be stressed out and possibly groundlessly maligned. Sounds fun doesn't it?

[jdub]

Even if you are completely prepared, well-financed, well-organized AND in touch with your district you can lose because of things not even related to the race you are running in. Luck and a willingness to be stressed out and possibly groundlessly maligned. Sounds fun doesn't it?
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION:

To run for office, one must be:
A) Crazy
B) Egomaniacal
C) Ignorant
D) Naive
E) All of the above

[lavagal]

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION:

To run for office, one must be:
A) Crazy
B) Egomaniacal
C) Ignorant
D) Naive
E) All of the above

You forgot: Chaste Virgin

[GeckoGeek]

Something else you need to consider is what happens if you loose. Might ask that question to Diana Hansen-Young. Way back when, when she used to be just "Diana Hansen", she held office representing the Windward side. She did well. Then she decided to move up an office. As she told it she was starting to think kinda highly of herself. I think she was in her younger 20's at the time. So she ran against Patsy Mink. She lost. She then discovered that absolutely no one would hire an ex-politician. They were worried there was some ulterior motive. She couldn't even get a job at McDonald's. In her effort to support herself she turned to art (her parents owned a framing store in Kailua.) And that's how we know her today. But for awhile it was really nasty. She spoke of having to choose between buying dog food to feed her dogs or using the money for bus fare to go to her parents house so she could be fed. :eek:

[kimo55]

I was curious what it takes to run for local politics?
Apathy is a big problem in Hawaii.

apathy rules. but who cares?

i would be more concerned about running away from politics.

It's a big nasty snakepit. but good luck if it's a better scenario for ya there...

as we talked about before; small keed time, Diana Hansen was a good family friend (next door neighbor, went to our church, da whole ting, li'dat) and we all campaigned with and for her. da whole Lanikai ohana. and back then even we dumb lil keiki thot; whass dis nice wahine goin into dis kine job for?! we knew it would chew her up and spit her out.

[GeckoGeek]

"oh crap, i just got mail that i have to serve as governer next year... Can I get out of it like jury duty?"

I give up. What's worse, someone too dumb to duck the job or someone who wants the job? :confused: :eek: :p

[Leo Lakio]

Sigh. I could never run for office. Hmmmm.Between the skeletons and the reporters seeking them, no room for clothes in that closet, eh? That would be my problem. You, on the other hand, have a big paper trail of speaking your mind, no? I think you already made the better choice.

[jdub]

Between the skeletons and the reporters seeking them, no room for clothes in that closet, eh? That would be my problem. You, on the other hand, have a big paper trail of speaking your mind, no? I think you already made the better choice.
What's scary is that LG could win, regardless of whatever skeletons she may have in her closet. Or in her afro. In my good fortune, I've had an opportunity to work with her, and frankly, I find her utterly inscrutable. LG's just too smart to get into the snakepit with bare feet.

[Beachboy]

And would you worry if somebody tried to dig up dirt on you?

I gotta kick outta that statement! Sure I'd worry about that...but what can one do about it? I have a small mountain of dirt that could be found about me. But equally impressive is the mountain of compliments I have over the years for my community service through being a "Waikiki Beachboy". I work closely with 'Make a Wish Foundation', and other groups striving to make the quality of life a little bit better for all human beings. I also take out this other group from Florida like make a wish. But what makes this place different is all the kids are HIV positive. They have been coming to me for years instead going to Disneyland, etc,etc..
So through my job I have been mending the fences I busted us during my youth.

Hey, I'm no weirdo trying to make a political statement here. I just see a chance to make a difference, and wanna try. I'm a Democrat by party, but I find myself socially progressive, and fiscally conservative. I wanna infuse new blood into the Democratic Party, kick out the "old boy network", that is just hanging around to collect a paycheck. I wanna see results!!! The Big Island is just another one of the outer islands almost destroyed by apathy. But it doesn't have to be that way either!!! We, all of us can change the direction of our state, county, community, neighborhood. But it won't get done sitting back and bitching about problems behind a Budweiser after work. We have to get involved with our communities otherwise we will wake up one day with nothing. So I wanna try to stop that nighmare from happening, and to do so by running for office.

Sure, exposure is important if one wants to get elected. But I'd be one of those guys seeking office that would do so without "deep pockets". What I see the problem today is. Most people running for office have these so-called deep pockets. That's why most voters have a hard time relating to the candidates running for office. Look at the last Presidential Race, all candidates were millionaires!!! I mean isn't that sad. What did most of us share in common with these guys?

[Beachboy]

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION:

To run for office, one must be:
A) Crazy
B) Egomaniacal
C) Ignorant
D) Naive
E) All of the above

sorry, I'm actualy none of the above. But my views have changed after 9/11, like so many of us have. But I'm not one who wants to run down and enlist in the military. I wanted to make a difference somehow?

I could go back to being an Osterich, and just bury my head when problems arise. But Hawaii has enough of them already..

[Miulang]

Sure, exposure is important if one wants to get elected. But I'd be one of those guys seeking office that would do so without "deep pockets". What I see the problem today is. Most people running for office have these so-called deep pockets. That's why most voters have a hard time relating to the candidates running for office. Look at the last Presidential Race, all candidates were millionaires!!! I mean isn't that sad. What did most of us share in common with these guys?
When you move to the Big Island, see if you can get an interview with Harry Kim (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Kim_(politician)), the Mayor. Ask him why he decided to run for Mayor and how he managed to get enough support in 2000 to be elected. Should be an interesting conversation (if you can get the time to speak with him) because his image (and maybe the HT folks on the Big Island can comment on this) is one of a guy who didn't start out being a politician (he was in the bureaucracy, though, as Civil Defense Director for many years) and who appealed to the "common people". On principle, he didn't accept large cash contributions to his campaign, either. He had to "choose" a political party to represent in 2000 so he chose to run as a Republican, but my guess is his values lean more toward the Democrats, even though Big Island elections are now non partisan (like they are on Maui).

Miulang

[timkona]

The Big Island is just another one of the outer islands almost destroyed by apathy.

Close, but no cigar.

Hawaii Island is just another one of the outer islands being destroyed by activism, rooted in ignorance. Liberalism has caused a dwelling crisis, a traffic nightmare, a "fakey-to-Ralph" recycling program that squanders million$, a bloated beauracracy, an undisciplined school system where the inmates run the asylum, and several other major problems. 35 years of The Politics of NO is starting to take a toll on society in general throughout the USA.

The importance of blind propaganda, feel good dogma, and wishful thinking cannot be overstated, especially in a liberal bastion like Hawaii Island.

[tutusue]

I love your enthusiasm and desire to make a difference, BB. Just curious, tho'...won't being so new to the Big Island hurt your cause? And, a thought on the "dirt" situation. Maybe air it before others can find it! That way you air it on your terms and aren't backed into a defensive situation. Maybe take some time on the BI to volunteer, get your name and reputation out there, air your "dirt" at appropriate times then...go for it!

Just my 2¢. Feel free to give me change!

[Miulang]

The Big Island is just another one of the outer islands almost destroyed by apathy.

Close, but no cigar.

Hawaii Island is just another one of the outer islands being destroyed by activism, rooted in ignorance. Liberalism has caused a dwelling crisis, a traffic nightmare, a "fakey-to-Ralph" recycling program that squanders million$, a bloated beauracracy, an undisciplined school system where the inmates run the asylum, and several other major problems. 35 years of The Politics of NO is starting to take a toll on society in general throughout the USA.

The importance of blind propaganda, feel good dogma, and wishful thinking cannot be overstated, especially in a liberal bastion like Hawaii Island.
I think there are pockets of liberalism on the Big Island (for sure in Kona and possibly Hilo, for instance) but my guess is the island on the whole is pretty conservative. When you get lots of outsiders moving in is when you start seeing the liberals pop up like toadstools after a heavy rain, and mostly the changes the malihini want are meant to make things suit them, not the locals.

Miulang

[jdub]

sorry, I'm actualy none of the above. But my views have changed after 9/11, like so many of us have. But I'm not one who wants to run down and enlist in the military. I wanted to make a difference somehow?

I could go back to being an Osterich, and just bury my head when problems arise. But Hawaii has enough of them already..
I'd suggest that if you'd like to get into politics because you want to make a difference, then perhaps you should make a difference before you try to get into politics. Pick your issue and do some community service work. Get to know people who care about the same issues as you, and let them get to know you. Think of it as preliminary campaigning, if you must, but I suspect that once you become involved in your new community, just helping will be enough, particularly when you see that corpulent government bureaucracy fears and resists change like an someone with severe OCD.

[timkona]

I think there are pockets of liberalism on the Big Island (for sure in Kona and possibly Hilo, for instance) but my guess is the island on the whole is pretty conservative.

I am consistently impressed with the way you stick to your guns, regardless of the facts. Hawaii Island is as liberal as it gets. Hilo Town is the secret Democratic Party Headquarters in the state. Public Hearings are packed with activists who want to prevent the future from happening, while shushing their kids in the back row. Unions are in power here, and the locals like it that way. The most widely read newspaper is that red-rag known as Hawaii Island Journal. Bush is a villain. America sucks. Hillary is great. So is welfare. And business people, who become successful through hard work and perserverance, are the worst humans on the planet.

The mayor is driving around in a $40000 Ford Escape, touting his environmental consciousness. He could have bought 3 Toyota Corollas for that price, and would get better gas mileage. You are right about the fact that Kim is a lib dressed up as a con.

I will say it again. Liberalism, wrapped up in cognitive dissonance, is the order of the day on Hawaii Island. I could give many more FACTUAL examples of this, but that won't change your mind.

Please don't confuse me with the facts. I have already decided.

[poinographer]

What district do you plan to move into? Some of the councilmembers are pretty entrenched over there.

[Leo Lakio]

By all means, Beachboy, then GO FOR IT! If you have the fire in the belly, then step forward. Get the paperwork done, become a candidate - according to Tim, that part's not hard to do.

The challenge will be in getting your message out and getting it across to voters, and seeing if voters agree with you enough to elect you. Not enough agreed with Tim, and he harbors some obvious disappointment about it still - but at least he gave it a shot, which is more than the majority of us are willing to do, and I feel that gives him some right to a certain amount of complaint.

If you truly feel that you can create change in the structure and system by running for office (much less actually winning!), then don't let any of us stop you with our jokes and/or cynicism.

[Miulang]

I think there are pockets of liberalism on the Big Island (for sure in Kona and possibly Hilo, for instance) but my guess is the island on the whole is pretty conservative.

I am consistently impressed with the way you stick to your guns, regardless of the facts. Hawaii Island is as liberal as it gets. Hilo Town is the secret Democratic Party Headquarters in the state. Public Hearings are packed with activists who want to prevent the future from happening, while shushing their kids in the back row. Unions are in power here, and the locals like it that way. The most widely read newspaper is that red-rag known as Hawaii Island Journal. Bush is a villain. America sucks. Hillary is great. So is welfare. And business people, who become successful through hard work and perserverance, are the worst humans on the planet.

The mayor is driving around in a $40000 Ford Escape, touting his environmental consciousness. He could have bought 3 Toyota Corollas for that price, and would get better gas mileage. You are right about the fact that Kim is a lib dressed up as a con.

I will say it again. Liberalism, wrapped up in cognitive dissonance, is the order of the day on Hawaii Island. I could give many more FACTUAL examples of this, but that won't change your mind.

Please don't confuse me with the facts. I have already decided.
Would you consider towns like Honoka'a as being liberal? Or Paauilo? Or Miloli'i? I don't think so. And I think your definition of "conservative" is different from what most people think of as "conservative (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism)". Usually, to be conservative is to want to maintain the status quo. So people who don't want more development are conservative, not liberal!

Conservatism is a political philosophy that usually favors traditional values and strong foreign defense. The term derives from to conserve; from Latin conservāre, "to keep, guard, observe". Since different cultures have different established values, conservatives in different cultures have different goals. Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante.;)


Miulang

P.S. My guess is that Ford Escape is a hybrid.:rolleyes:

[timkona]

So people who don't want more development are conservative, not liberal!

Now I get it. All the environmentalists, "boners", and NIMBY's are the conservatives. All the developers and realtors are liberals. Miulang, you are truly brilliant !!

Do you ever actually THINK about what you type??

[1stwahine]

Beachboy, Never let the Fire within you burn out...

"To Dream the Impossible Dream" and make it happen!;)

Best Wishes & Good Luck!

Auntie Lynn

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f358/1stwahine/hand.gif

[Jonah K]

What district do you plan to move into? Some of the councilmembers are pretty entrenched over there.
My guess is that he might end up running against Auntie Emily Naeole (http://www.2angels.net/auntieemily.htm) who was recently elected to represent the 5th District. :cool:

He'd probably be better off running for the seats in the 4th District or 6th through 9th Districts. ;)

[timkona]

The sovereignty movement is just absolutely seething at the success of Ms. Naeole on Big Island, and the many elected, or nearly elected candidates of Hawaiian ancestry on the other islands.

You see, the SovMov believes, as a basic tenet, that they have been excluded from the power structures of society. As Hawaiians become elected, via the standard path of modern democracy, and start to claim positions of power throughout Hawaii, the SovMov looks more and more foolish. And they know it. Seems to me that the 2006 election has been a watershed elections year for Hawaiians, who now realize where the path to power truly exists.

Congrats to all the candidates who seek power through our modern democracy that excludes nobody.

[Miulang]

So people who don't want more development are conservative, not liberal!

Now I get it. All the environmentalists, "boners", and NIMBY's are the conservatives. All the developers and realtors are liberals. Miulang, you are truly brilliant !!

Do you ever actually THINK about what you type??
All I'm saying is what you're describing is not what a general definition of a conservative is...:rolleyes:

And yes, I would say, using the strict traditional definition of the term conservative, the NIMBYs ARE the conservatives, because they want to "conserve" what is already there....

Miulang

P.S. TK: You didn't answer my question about what political affinity you think the residents of places like Paauilo and Honoka'a and Miloli'i might espouse...are they <gasp> liberal because they want to defend their way of life?

[Miulang]

The sovereignty movement is just absolutely seething at the success of Ms. Naeole on Big Island, and the many elected, or nearly elected candidates of Hawaiian ancestry on the other islands.

You see, the SovMov believes, as a basic tenet, that they have been excluded from the power structures of society. As Hawaiians become elected, via the standard path of modern democracy, and start to claim positions of power throughout Hawaii, the SovMov looks more and more foolish. And they know it. Seems to me that the 2006 election has been a watershed elections year for Hawaiians, who now realize where the path to power truly exists.

Congrats to all the candidates who seek power through our modern democracy that excludes nobody.
I doubt the Sovereignty movement is seething, TK. More than likely they are happy that some of their candidates have finally broken through the rattan ceiling. One thing the antiwar peeps in the 60s learned is it's hard to make changes when you're on the outside; but if you can infiltrate the "establishment", you can make inroads into their power. The caveat is that people who start out as infiltrators have to be vigilant that they, too, don't get sucked into the corruption and lose sight of why they decided to join the establishment. A sovereign nation would need experienced politicians and diplomats, too, so more power to the kanaka maoli who can win political office now.

Miulang

[timkona]

Political affiliations??

Perhaps the voter registration rolls would shed some light on that.

Overwhelmingly Democrat.

[Miulang]

Political affiliations??

Perhaps the voter registration rolls would shed some light on that.

Overwhelmingly Democrat.
Yeah. but what kind of Democrat? Surely you don't believe all Democrats are liberal? Because just as there are all shades of Republicans, there are all shades of Democrats, too, including NIMBY ones.:p

Miulang

[Beachboy]

What district do you plan to move into? Some of the councilmembers are pretty entrenched over there.

Puna District is where I will live. I'm having a custom built house made down in HPP. It's about 30 mins. south of Hilo.

[Beachboy]

I'd suggest that if you'd like to get into politics because you want to make a difference, then perhaps you should make a difference before you try to get into politics. Pick your issue and do some community service work. Get to know people who care about the same issues as you, and let them get to know you. Think of it as preliminary campaigning, if you must, but I suspect that once you become involved in your new community, just helping will be enough, particularly when you see that corpulent government bureaucracy fears and resists change like an someone with severe OCD.

Wow, you must have been in my dreams last night!?!? That is exactly the approach I was gonna take.

I see a lot a negative stuff being written about my possible quest. I have just one thing to say. I want to run for a county seat, not the President of the United States! I wanna better the life of my new community. One step at a time folks, one step at a time! It might be several years before I actually throw my name into the hat! Listen, the last thing I'm gonna do is jump into this blindly!!!:eek:

[Beachboy]

Yeah. but what kind of Democrat? Surely you don't believe all Democrats are liberal? Because just as there are all shades of Republicans, there are all shades of Democrats, too, including NIMBY ones.:p

Miulang
funny how some people naturally assume one is liberal because they are a member of the democratic party. That couldn't be further from the truth!