Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Announces Endorsements

Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The Sierra Club announced its Hawaiʻi endorsements of more than 40 candidates running for election in the upcoming 2014 primary election on August 9.

“We are pleased to endorse the following slate of candidates,” said Scott Glenn, chair of the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi. “Candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club will help to protect Hawaii’s clean water, special places, and spectacular biodiversity and all have demonstrated a commitment to our goal of maximizing renewable energy,” Glenn said in a press release announcement.

Representatives from the Sierra Club say the endorsements reflect a diverse field of candidates statewide, including a mix from the Republican and Democratic parties. While many are incumbents, nearly a quarter are described as green challengers.

Two OHA candidates, Mahealani Wendt and Hina Wong-Kalu, have also been endorsed based on what the Sierra Club called a “strong environmental record.”

The Sierra Club is still considering endorsements in key races across the state, including county races on Kaua’i. So far, only one Kauaʻi candidate, Dylan Hooser for State House District 15, was identified as being endorsed by the group.

Maui candidates endorsed by the group include: Gil Keith-Agaran for State Senate District 5; Terez Amato for State Senate District 6; Kimo Apana for State House District 9; Kaniela Ing for State House District 11; Tamara Paltin for mayor; Don Guzman for the Kahului Council seat; Mike Molina for the Pāʻia Council seat; Elle Chochran for the West Maui Council seat and John Fitzpatrick for the South Maui Council seat.

Federal candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club include: Brian Schatz for US Senate; Mark Takai for US House Congressional District 1; and Tulsi Gabbard for US House Congressional District 2.

Oahu endorsees include: Maile Shimabukuro for State Senate District 21; Gil Riviere for State Senate District 23; Della Au Bellati for State House District 24; Aaron Ling Johanson for State House District 31; Roy Takumi for State House District 35; Marilyn Lee for State House District 36; Matt LoPresti for State House District 41; Nicole Ferguson for State House District 42; Lauren Matsumoto for State House District 45; Kent Fonoimoana for State House District 47; Robert Harris for State House District 48; Cynthia Thielen for State House District 50; and Chris Lee for State House District 51.

Hawaiʻi Island endorsees include: Joshua Green for State Senate District 3; Lorraine Inouye for State Senate District 4; Edwin Miranda for State House District 2; Joy San Buenaventura for State House District 4; Richard Creagan for State House District 5; Nicole Lowen for State House District 6; Valerie Poindexter for County Council; Kerri Marks for County Council; Roy Lozano for County Council; Tiffany Edwards Hunt for County Council; Richard Abbett for County Council; Karen Eoff for County Council; and Margaret Wille for County Council.

“Candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club understand that a healthy environment is the foundation of a strong economy,” said Vice Chair Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers in the announcement. “We are particularly interested in candidates who will fight to make sure our utility allows greater levels of rooftop solar onto the grid. We’ve helped pass programs which enable residents of all income levels, including renters, to install rooftop solar. Now we need to make sure the utility does its part to let working families participate in the savings, and simultaneously help Hawaiʻi achieve energy independence by transitioning off of dirty fossil fuels.”

Individuals selected for endorsements received a two-third majority vote from at least two Sierra Club committees of elected leaders in order to be approved.