David Kimo Frankel, a top notch public interest lawyer, came out this week with a strong statement backing Gov. David Ige for reelection.
His column appeared in Civil Beat earlier this week (Campaign Corner: Ige Demonstrates Environmental Leadership/By contrast, Hawaii gubernatorial challenger Colleen Hanabusa is too cozy with special interests).
Frankel has successfully argued a number of high profile environmental and Hawaiian rights cases before the Hawaii Supreme Court, and his public support for Gov. Ige on the basis of these concerns is significant.
He cites the history of the state’s Commission Water Resources Management to illustrate the difference between Ige and his main challenger, Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.
Back when she was in the state Senate, Hanabusa voted to confirm A&B’s vice-president and lobbyist to a seat on the water commission.
“Unsurprisingly, the commission allowed A&B to continue to divert water from free-flowing streams for years,” Frankel writes.
In contrast, the Water Commission under Gov. David Ige’s leadership has voted to fully restore many streams to their natural state. Exercising a balanced approach — something that has been missing for decades — the commission has finally taken steps to protect the public interest. It has been able to do so, in part, because A&B and other corporate interests no longer control the Water Commission.
The water commission is one of several examples cited where, Frankel argues, Hanabusa displayed her support for special interests over the need to protect and preserve the environment.
If you’re still not sure who you’re going to be backing, you might check out Frankel’s column.
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I will never vote for Colleen.i was very glad to see this article and Progressive Democrats support of Ige. Ige is not Altogether what I would wish a Governor, but I don’t sense that he is dishonest.
Ige has been a huge disappointment.
But Hanabusa? That’s really asking for trouble.
I will also be voting for Ige for the reasons cited by Frankel and other’s. While I have no reservations about Hanabusa’s aptitude, her commitment to public interest as opposed to her private friends remains a disturbing issue.
I wonder why the commenter titled “Hold your nose” feels that “Ige has been a huge disappointment.” I hope it’s not because of the homelessness issue. I can’t think of any state in the nation that has solved that problem!
I’m also concerned about Hanabusa and am frankly annoyed that women leaders are now claiming that Iges ads are sexist without any real basis. Further, it is troubling that Representative Bellati is making such allegations when she’s representing alleged rapist Brett Ratner in suing the victim for defamation – and it’s frustrating that Hawaii media doesn’t seem to report this at all! https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/brett-ratner-libel-melanie-kohler-1202605070/#respond