On the Republican side, central-party concern exists that a somewhat rogue candidate could take over. The fear is that its rank-and-file members have been temporarily mesmerized by Donald Trump. In addition, the extremely high public interest this year has brought a lot of non-party crossover voters from the Democratic Party.
Republican leaders face dilemmas, especially in a state like Hawaii. Were these crossover votes cast in support of Trump? Are they “monkey-wrench” votes, cast consistent with polls that show Clinton prevailing in a head-to-head general election versus Trump?
Similarly, at the Democrat’s caucuses recently, the lines for new party members were long, registering Republican crossover voters and re-registering prior Democrats, those who had, just a month ago, temporarily registered with team R.
After the first Republican convention ballot (votes cast according to caucus results which favor Trump), I predict that Hawaii’s delegation will take Charles Djou’s lead and throw support to John Kasich (yes, the third-place candidate).
The Democrats’ equation differs, with similar results: the voters’ overwhelming candidate of choice U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (hardly a rogue) will not get support, even after the first ballot, unless Sanders supporter Tulsi Gabbard bends some ears behind closed doors. In both parties, the Presidential selection process makes a mockery of the voting citizenry.
So Stephen, you didn’t miss anything at the caucuses … except maybe the cookies.
James Donovan
Waikoloa
Mooring project design needs sharper eye
To shed some light to Mr. Obenski’s comment concerning the additional moorings in Keauhou Bay, the moorings are to be bow and stern. What is difficult to understand looking at DOBOR’s diagram is that they claim that the centerline of the rows will be 50 feet apart.
If there are two catamarans with 30-foot beams side by side that leaves little room for safe navigation between the vessels especially if there is any surge in the bay which can cause vessels to bounce radically back and forth.
Interestingly, DOBOR is recommending that in instance of dangerous waters in the bay, owners remove their vessels to open water where they will be safer, and they are relieving themselves (DOBOR) of responsibility for any damages which may result if a boat breaks free of its mooring in a storm.
Sounds like they don’t have much confidence in their own design. Moreover, there is no discussion of the impact on infrastructure. Parking in the area is already overcrowded, there is only one restroom on the dock and there is no mention of a wastewater pumping station, where’s that stuff going to go? It seems to me that there are enough unanswered questions to warrant an Environmental Impact Statement.
Tom Walton
Kailua-Kona