![[text]](http://ilind.net/images_2010/takai0920.jpg)
A sharp-eyed reader flagged this unusual event, a Washington D.C fundraiser held yesterday for State Representative Mark Takai and announced on his facebook page.
You just don’t see much mainland fundraising by candidates in state house districts, so Takai’s event stands out.
A quick check with the Campaign Spending Commission confirmed that Takai filed a notice of the event earlier this month. It’s the only campaign fundraiser he held this year costing more than $25 per person, although Takai has held a couple of small fundraisers in the district.
Takai, an Aiea Democrat, was first elected to the House in 1994, just a year after earning a Master of Public Health degree from UH.
Takai responded to a question about the event.
I had the fundraiser because I’m here in DC and I wanted to see whether some of my friends here would support me. It wasn’t suggested by a company or lobbying group. The people who came from DC are friends from the Guard and others. They all do not do business in Hawaii. Anyway, it was just a small event. The total cost of the food was only $250. Hopefully, I’ll realize a few dollars to off-set our newsletter costs. Did you know that it cost me around $5,000 to produce and mail a newsletter — and I do it four time each year? Finally, state law allows us to raise no more than 30 percent from outside the state. If I can raise just a few dollars here, it would help. Hope this clarifies your question. Thanks.
I may be overly cynical, but I do recall that Takai led an effort in the House earlier this year calling on Lingle to approve the EIS for Honolulu’s rail project. Does a D.C. fundraiser provide an opportunity for those rail contractors or their lobbyists to stop by and visit with Rep. Takai?
As of September 3, Takai reported $61,697.39 in his campaign account. He apparently faces only token opposition from Republican William Wong, a retired teacher and principal who did not file a campaign spending report, apparently signaling that he had not received or spent anything on his campaign.
Wong’s financial disclosure, filed with the State Ethics Commission, reports no earned income, no debts, no business interests, no real estate owned (excluding a personal residence), and no organizational positions held.
During the primary season, Takai was a prominent and active supporter of Mufi Hannemann, appearing in several campaign contexts.
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I don’t like the idea of young turks getting into public offices and make a career out of it.
I would rather have someone from the outside world serve when they retire.
Getting young people involved early is important to provide a continuum of involvement from within the community.
The younger generation has more at stake in the future than an older generation. That younger generation are concerned about what will become of them and their new families if government isn’t sensitive to the needs of the community. And they have the drive and energy to pursue those policies.
Balance that with the wisdom from the previous generations. That can come from meeting with and listening to their constituents. And that’s what a representative is supposed to do.
Constituents expect more from their legislators these days, and as a result, I think romantic view of the “farmer legislator” is a bit antiquated.
I think most legislators will say that a large percentage of the work they do involves addressing constituent concerns. Who is responsible for cutting the grass on the median on Pali Highway? Can the state remove the homeless near the library? They’re an eyesore.
Experience in navigating the various city, state and federal agencies to efficiently address constituent concerns can only be developed on the job. The longer their in, the better they are at knowing who to call (for the most part).
Eventhough a legislative session lasts for only three months or so, constituent work never stops. Whether we are ready to admit it or not, being a legislator is a full-time job (usually a second job to most legislators).
Mark Takai is in the military and has served at least one tour overseas.
Like his mentor, Mufi Hanneman, Takai takes every action with an eye on his next gig, whether it’s seeking a brief, non-career interrupting Iraq duty assignment so he can enhance his chances of becoming Adjutant General, to his uncanny ability to get himself in the news (eclipsed only by John Mizuno), you name it.
Mark Takai holding a fundraiser in DC is no coincidence, you can be sure of that.
When you get a free ride for re-election (as K. Mark did in the past), you can bank some campaign money.
K. Mark served as “mayor” of the National Guard camp in Kuwait NOT Iraq. K. Mark’s deployment (something which the current uniform-wearing-in-special-election-campaign-commercial U.S. Rep. in CD 1 avoided) required him to miss most of the 2009 Session (although he was around to sign the majority package of bills, including HB 444). After returning in 2010, K. Mark was one of the Reps. to vote against HB 444 on final reading (he’s a New Hoper now which caused him annoyance when the GOP put up even token opposition to his re-election).
In the past, K. Mark was put up by the dissident faction of Majority Democrats in 2006 as a possible choice for Speaker rather than Sylvia Luke or one of the Scotts (Saiki/Nishimoto).
With Mufi Hannemann losing, K. Mark needs to get re-elected now and a DC event prepares for his eventual run at Congress.
I’m pretty sure Mzuno will be framing ohia’s post and hanging it on his wall.