BY DR. MAX COOPER – Absentee ballots have been mailed. From July 28 to Aug 7 the absentee polling places are open. Primary Election is Aug 9. 2014.Hawaii Rifle Association publishes grades for candidates based solely on their support for firearms rights and hunting heritage. Grades A-F are assigned based on any public record on those issues, and surveys on those issues mailed to all candidates. An asterisk (*) grade is assigned where the candidate has no voting record on our issues and where our survey was not returned.US Senate: Candidates Schatz and Hanabusa, although both claiming support for our 2nd Amendment rights, have a poor record. Hanabusa justly criticizes Schatz for following Obama on all issues, but when she was Hawaii Senate President she twice killed a magazine capacity reform bill.
In the US House 1st District Democrats Ikaika Anderson, Joey Manahan, and Republican Charles Djou have supportive records. Stanley Chang and Donna Kim both support restrictive gun control.
In US House 2, the best survey was returned by Kawika Crowley, a homeless candidate who campaigns out of his van. Tulsi Gabbard, despite her claims otherwise, espouses Obama’s gun control policy.
For Governor, long time Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Chair, David Ige, has the best record of support on firearms issues.
For Lt. Governor, the incumbent, Shan Tsutsui, and Clayton Hee, who gave up his HI Senate seat and Judiciary Chairmanship to run, both have supportive histories.
In the Senate, Colleen Meyer, a long-time 2nd Amendment supporter while serving many years in the House, is taking another run at Senate District 23 (Kaneohe-Wahiawa).
In the House, contested primary races include District 2 (Keaukaha – Waiakea) where longtime supportive Clifton Tsuji is the incumbent, and District 15 (Wailua – Puhi) where the incumbent, James Tokioka has been supportive. In District 36 (Mililani), Marilyn Lee, always an opponent of pro-gun legislation, is attempting a comeback after losing in 2012.
In District 38 (Waipahu), A-rated Henry Aquino is challenged by Alex Sonson who has a very vocal record against guns while serving on the House Judiciary Committee.
In District 50 (Kailua), Cynthia Theilen, supportive on our issues, has a challenger in the primary.
State Representative SHARON HAR, representing District 42, Kapolei and Makakilo, is being targeted in this election because of her staunch support of gun rights issues. As Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, she has, along with Rep. Ken Ito, led support in the House for our issues and protected us from strong anti-gun politicians.
In Honolulu City Council District 6, Sam Aiona, supportive on our issues, challenges incumbent Carol Fukunaga, who opposed pro-gun legislation during her years as State Representative.
Incumbent Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa has a record of support on our issues.
Lei Ahu Isa, always supportive, is running for OHA Trustee at large.
Download: 2014 Candidate Ratings