The Hawai’i Republican Party hosted its annual Lincoln Dinner Fundraiser last night in Windward O’ahu. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka was there and filed this report.
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
The Hawaiʻi Republican Caucus is rolling out what it calls a “listening tour” of weekly community meetings on Oʻahu. This allows politicians to hear constituent concerns firsthand, and act on them when drafting bills for the next year. State House Minority leader Rep. Lauren Matsumoto says these sessions are open to all regardless of party affiliation.
This year's primary election positioned former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona as the Republican candidate for governor and Seaula Tupai Jr. for lieutenant governor. Lynn Finnegan, head of the Hawaiʻi Republican Party, sat down with The Conversation to discuss the election results.