Maui Ballot taking shape as 2010 election filing deadline nears
The Maui ballot continues to take shape as the July 20th deadline for candidate filing nears. As of Tuesday, 14 people had pulled papers for the Mayor’s race and seven had filed, confirming their candidacy—the most recent of which was Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares who made her run for re-election official on Friday.
In the council, seven candidates have filed for the West Maui seat that becomes vacant with the exit of councilmember Jo Anne Johnson who reaches her term-limit. The list of candidates includes Eve Clute, Eleanora Chochran, Alan Fukuyama, Ezekiela Kalua, Jonah Kapu, Paul Laub, and Susan Potter-Campos. In Makawao, five people have pulled papers for the open seat resulting from the term-limit of councilman Michael Molina. Candidates that had filed as of Tuesday were Mary Cochran, Leona Nomura and Michael White. Two others, Kaheai Nishiki and Byron Fujieda had pulled papers, but had yet to file.
On Lanai, former Councilman Riki Hokama and repeat candidate Matthew Mano face off for a seat being left vacant by councilman Sol Kahoohalahala who has decided to run for Mayor. There also appears to be a rematch forming in South Maui where repeat candidate Don Couch has filed papers for the council seat currently held Wayne Nishiki. The two faced off in one of the closest contests two years ago when Nishiki defeated Couch by a less than 4 percent margin. Kihei resident Edward Tamura had also pulled papers for the seat.
In east Maui, former council member Robert Carroll filed papers for his old seat, while incumbent Bill Medeiros had pulled papers. There are two candidates in the running so far for the Wailuku seat: incumbent Michael Victorino and challenger Elisabeth Gapero. In Upcountry Maui, incumbent Gladys Baisa and Richard Pohle pulled papers. Baisa filed papers, making her run official on June 28, 2010.
Kahului council member Joseph Pontanilla and Molokai council member Danny Mateo remained uncontested according to this week’s Tuesday update.
In the legislature, Sen. Shan Tsutsui and Rep. Mele Carroll remained uncontested according to the July 13, 2010 update. In the District 12 House race, Democratic incumbent Kyle Yamashita could face a republican challenge with both Laurie Rinaldi and Raymond Bashkingly pulling papers last month. In District 9, Democratic Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran so far faces a republican challenge from Jeffrey Hoylman of Kahului. For District 10, Democratic incumbent Rep. Angus McKelvey pulled papers for re-election along with republican challengers Ramon Madden and Chayne Marten. In District 11, Rep. Joe Bertram (D) faces two same party challengers, Johanna Amorin and Susan Halperin as well as a republican challenger, George Fontaine. In District 8, there’s a rematch between incumbent Rep. Joe Souki (D) and Tasha Kama (D). Joining them is Justin Hughey who is also running on the Democratic ticket. Shelby Schmucker had also pulled papers on the Republican ticket.
The final day to file papers is Tuesday, July 20th.
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