For what it’s worth…Here’s my short answer regarding who I will be voting for in the upcoming special election for the Honolulu City Council District 4 seat: Tommy Waters.
My choice was driven by what I learned in reporting the origins of the lighted tree in Hawaii Kai’s Joe Lukela Park a couple of years ago. I found that Waters’ opponent, then-Councilman Trevor Ozawa, had swept aside substantive objections from parks department administrators, and then muscled the department into issuing a special permit for the tree lights by threatening to pass an even more damaging bill if they didn’t comply. And while doing this, he withheld information about the issue from concerned constituents and community groups who questioned the move.
See “Ian Lind: Playing Hardball Paid Off For Hawaii Kai Tree Lights.”
After seeing Ozawa’s aggressive insider maneuvering and bad treatment of interested constituents, I couldn’t give him my vote this time around.
In an case, ballots will be going out next week to voters in the district, which includes “Hawaii Kai, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Aina Haina, Wailupe, Waialae-Iki, Kalani Valley, Kahala, Wilhemina Rise, Kaimuki, portions of Kapahulu, Diamond Head, Black Point, Waikiki, and Ala Moana Beach Park.”
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Despite their campaign messaging, I’m having trouble forming a clear impression of what either candidate stands for and why they want so much to be members of the City Council.
Today, a Waters ad was hanging on my front door when I got home from work. It was an effective, hard-hitting attack on Ozawa. But its mere presence announced to the world that I was likely not at home during the day.
Ozawa seems to have more people than Waters waving signs on Kalanianaole. But I resent people who distract me when I’m driving.
The campaigning has become tedious and predictable. I may not vote this time around.
Ozawa’s lights transgression was punishing for him. He hasn’t said that that kind of chosen business model is a thing of the past, but then there’s Waters who has been using ol’ boy bucks to fund his campaign, over $100k spent.
How about NONE OF THE ABOVE. The mood in council is much less testosterone driven now and whadda relief that is!!
Ozawa’s ridiculous public rant and loopy accusations against sitting Hawaii Supreme Court justices following their decision invalidating the first election’s shady results made it abundantly clear that he is unfit to hold the office of Assistant Deputy Dogcatcher Understudy Intern.
But who knows what Waters stands for besides being the Mayor’s buddy?
And will any of the above really even matter to voters?
Ozawa’s response to the decision was downright Trumpian. ‘Nuff said.
Everyone in Dist 4 should just cross out the choices and write in Natalie Iwasa.
No, I’m NOT Natalie.
Natalie is campaigning for Tommy Waters.