Continued from page 15 federal government marginalizes minority groups. Iwamoto has demonstrated that she prioritizes applying progressive solutions to the causes of living wages, affordable housing, education, and the environment. Significantly, she is willing to say definitively that ‘one job should be enough’ and that pre-K through graduate school education should be publicly funded… we believe that Kim Coco will be the best balance as Lt. Governor to ensure that bold progressive ideals and social justice remain in the conversation and are extended to the public as solutions worth fighting for.” Our opinion of her hasn’t changed. Her donations are only of concern if you consider her efforts to fully fund education, provide affordable housing, mandate a living wage, and fight for social justice frightening – in which case, I’m afraid to say, you might be the monster.
LOCAL UNION 1186 IBEW Total donated: $8,000 Recipients Alan Arakawa ($1,000) Stacey Crivello ($1,000) Mike Molina ($1,000) Yuki Lei Sugimura ($1,000) Mike Victorino ($4,000) Local Union 1186 is the local chapter of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, though looking at their website one might get the impression that it’s a mustache club (which would also explain the Victorino endorsement). Maui’s total membership in the union is 260, making it a relatively small local union chapter, but it’s still got the bucks to support candidates they think will keep business good for electricians.
MILTON CHOY UNITE HERE LOCAL FIVE Total donated: $8,000 Recipients: Elle Cochran ($4,000) Tamara Paltin ($2,000) Keani Rawlins-Fernandez ($2,000) Unite Here Local Five is a hotel and hospitality workers union that represents employees statewide. Lately, they’ve made news for representing and organizing the strikes at Kyo-Ya owned hotels including the Sheraton Maui. The union is pushing the large hotel companies with the rallying cry “one job is enough” in order to give workers better wages and working conditions, and provide workplace safety measures. The tactics of Unite Here Local Five should scare CEOs like Arne Sorenson of Marriott International, who made 395 times the amount median employees made at his hotels. For most of us here on Maui, though, Unite Here Local Five is a nonthreatening union that stands up for workers’ rights and makes sure Maui’s residents get their fair share from the booming tourism industry.
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERS INDUSTRY STABILITY FUND Total donated: $8,000 Recipients: Alan Arakawa ($1,000) Riki Hokama ($2,000) Mike Molina ($1,000) Mike Victorino ($4,000) This PAC formed to fund the interests of the Operating Engineers Local 3 in Hawai‘i. “From heavy equipment operators and mechanics, to surveyors, construction inspectors, highway maintenance workers, police officers and other public employees,” the union states on its site, “we represent the men and women who drive this country’s economy.” So, it’s a union that relies on continual development to ensure job security for its members, but at what cost? Well, Hawai‘i Operating Engineers Industry Stability Fund has supported the plagued Honolulu Rail project and the massive expansion of the Kahului Airport. Yikes!
Total donated: $9,000 Recipients: Alan Arakawa ($2,000) Riki Hokama ($2,000) Yuki Lei Sugimura ($2,000) Mike Victorino ($3,000) Milton Choy is another member of the Choy family and employee for H2O Process Systems, the company with a $93,728 award from the county. The Choy family, it seems, is going all in. Liann Choy, listed as the company’s secretary donated another $2000 to Yuki Lei Sugimura, and Lacie Choy donated $2,000 to Riki Hokama. Basically, the company was awarded almost $94,000, then turned around and donated over 20 percent of that to the political candidates that could help them get more awards. Interesting. Keep an eye on this one, especially when county awards and contracts are given out.
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SHANE VICTORINO Total donated: $10,000 Recipients: Mike Victorino OK, Shane Victorino is no frightening monster. In fact, in addition to bringing pride to Maui by killing it in the major leagues, he’s started a foundation to help underserved youth with educational, recreational, and wellness programs. If anything, the real ghoul here is in the details. While candidates for two-year termed offices (like councilmembers) are limited by law to $2,000 in aggregate donations from a single source and four-year termed offices (like mayor) are limited to $4,000, the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes provides an exemption for family members to donate up to $50,000. So if your family is wealthy, you’re in luck. If you’re a grassroots candidate going against that kind of funding, however, the deck is stacked against you. Inequality enabled by law: Now that’s true horror. ■
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