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10-22-2010 - Star-Advertiser Endorses Abercrombie for Governor

Here is the endorsement in full, or you can read it on the Star-Advertiser website by clicking here.
    "Abercrombie for governor"

    As Hawaii struggles to emerge from the nationwide recession, a fresh start is needed following the acrimony of recent years in state government. Some may regard Neil Abercrombie, with more than three decades in public office, as a figure of the past. However, his plans have energy and his experience is an enormous asset to lead the state as governor through the years ahead with positive and innovative policies.

    Bolstered by the state Council of Revenues expectation of increased state revenue without need for tax increases, Hawaii is in a position to make better use of resources to charge ahead on positive measures taken by the present administration and make improvements where badly needed.

    Republican Gov. Linda Lingle fought with the Democratic Legislature and public employee unions throughout her tenure. At least four more years with Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona at the helm after two terms as Lingle's intern would bring more of the same, with Lynn Finnegan in Aiona's present spot. We believe such conflicts would ease under the administration of Abercrombie, a canny political veteran, and lieutenant governor running mate Brian Schatz.

    Nobody in Hawaii's history can come close to matching Democrat Abercrombie's extensive public service at different levels, including terms in the City Council, the state House and Senate and, for nearly 20 years, as the representative of urban Honolulu in the U.S. House. His understanding of how government works is invaluable.

    Days off without pay for employees have soiled the city and state governments, including public schools, in the past year, and that may be needed to a lesser degree in the year ahead to assure a balanced budget. Economic experts have predicted substantial increases in state revenue through the following four years, bringing stability to government.

    Abercrombie plans to create an independent Hawaii Energy Authority to guide policies aimed at reducing the state's heavy dependence on imported fossil fuel, policies that Lingle enthusiastically initiated with bipartisan support. The present disjointed sharing of energy policies between the Public Utilities Commission and the state Energy Office would be eliminated, as it should be.

    Abercrombie also wants to create a state Department of Early Childhood, integrating services now spread across several departments. Other than that, it is unclear at this point what authority the next governor will have over the public school system. Both Abercrombie and Aiona support a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot to allow the governor to appoint members of the Board of Education, now elected by voters; similar measures have been rejected twice in the past, although most voters have not been knowledgeable about BOE candidates.

    Aiona is a social conservative with strong religious beliefs; he opposes dispensaries of marijuana for medical purposes, even though that use is legal in Hawaii, and civil unions of same-sex couples, which he maintains would be an affront to marriage between man and woman, as defined by state law. Abercrombie agrees with the Star-Advertiser's support of responsible medical marijuana distribution and of civil unions.

    Abercrombie's plans for improving and in some cases renovating the operation of state government are ambitious. Aiona's goal essentially is to extend the policies and practices of the Lingle administration. We urge voters to embrace change and cast their votes for Abercrombie and Schatz.

06-24-2010 - The Problem

by Bill Kaneko, Campaign Manager

Politicians, pundits and the commercial news media typically equate campaign money with popularity. Even though every poll taken since the race began has Neil leading, you will be told that it’s the politician with the most money who will likely win in the end.


Isn’t that the problem?image



By this logic, a person who gives $5,000 is 1,000 times more important than the person who gives $5.

Not in Neil’s campaign. Whether you can give $5,000, $50, $5, or five hours a week calling your friends and family, you count the same. That’s why people contribute to Neil’s campaign. It’s what Neil called the "public conscience" -- that there is something important outside of ourselves.  And we know that we must act on that conscience if we are ever to get beyond the sinking feeling that there’s nothing we can do about the way things are.



Our opponent will have much more money than we will at the end of this reporting period on June 30. We’re not complaining. On the contrary, we are inspired by the challenge to build a grassroots people’s campaign that will overcome a big money campaign.

We can do this if all of us contribute whatever we can.

We are standing with Neil, driven by nothing other than the hope of ending the bitter division in state and local politics, restoring trust in government, and committing ourselves to policies that reflect our unique island values.  We all want a leader who will listen to the people, include the people, and serve the people with distinction, unconditionally.



Please consider making a donation and join a campaign that you can believe in.

06-23-2010 - A new economy for our children

by Josh Levinson, Field Organizer

Many of us came to work on Neil’s campaign because we want to build a Hawaii where our children can live and work.

Today Neil unveiled his Technology and Innovation Plan, the latest in a series of policy papers outlining his priorities if he were elected Governor.

Click here to read the technology plan.

Neil’s plan will weave technology and innovation into our economy to grow new businesses, raise productivity and create good jobs.

Neil also has released plans for energy independence and promoting small business and entrepreneurship--all critical pieces of building a new economy in Hawaii that will create good jobs for the next generation.

Visit http://www.neilabercrombie.com to read all of Neil’s plans.

We want to know what you think! We're open to any and all feedback on Neil’s plans. Jump in and participate in this process of creating a new direction for Hawaii.

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