HILO — If elections were won by money alone, mayoral candidate Wally Lau would be a shoo-in for the top Hawaii County post.
Lau, Mayor Billy Kenoi’s former right-hand man, accumulated $183,705 in campaign contributions in the first six months of the year, eclipsing the rest of the 13-member field seeking the open seat. That’s almost twice what Kenoi had raised in the first six months of his last campaign.
Lau said he appreciates the financial support, but he’s been more humbled by people’s words and assistance. The amount includes a $25,000 loan to the campaign.
“The support has been very good,” Lau said Thursday, “but someone patting me on the shoulder and saying, ‘I’m behind you,’ that’s worth a million dollars to me.”
In comparison, Pete Hoffmann, a former County Council member representing Kohala, collected $19,532, of which $5,000 was his own money. He thinks he’s still getting his message out.
“We’re getting a good response,” Hoffmann said. “If we don’t survive the primary, it won’t be because of a lack of funds.”
Former Mayor Harry Kim took in $12,037, of which $8,602 was his own money. He’s been running his trademark low-budget campaign, relying on name recognition rather than bankrolls to get his message out.
“My campaign wouldn’t even be in existence if not for the people coming forward,” Kim said. “I’m blessed.”
Political newcomer Shannon McCandless of Waimea had $3,359 in contributions, Marlene Hapai had $775, Wendell Kaehuaea had $491, Eric Drake Weinert had $225 and Helen Olena Luta had $215.
“I’m trying to get my message out, rather than spending a lot of time raising funds right now,” Hapai said. “It’s how I’d like to run county government — very efficiently.”
The other five candidates, Alvin Akina Jr., Paul Bryant, Daniel Cunningham, Gene Tamishiro and Timothy Waugh, filed statements with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission saying their contributions and expenditures won’t exceed $1,000.
“We’re just doing it ourselves,” Akina’s wife, Christine, said of their low-budget campaign.
Those candidates won’t be required to submit reports until after the election. The other candidates faced midnight Thursday deadline.
Candidates also are required to report fundraising events where ticket prices exceed $25. Lau held five and Hoffmann held two since the reporting period began.
Hoffmann’s two fundraisers, both with a $50 ticket price, were held in West Hawaii.
Lau held $250 a ticket fundraisers at the Hilo Yacht Club in April and June, a $250 ticket fundraiser in Honolulu in April, a $250 a ticker fundraiser in Kona in May and a $40 a ticket event in Hilo on June 30, according to reports.
About 20 percent of Lau’s contributions came from those giving $100 or less.
The majority of Lau’s major contributions, $52,180, or 36.9 percent, came from Hilo, according to a West Hawaii Today analysis of his spending report. Candidates are required to report the source of all contributions of more than $100.
The second-largest chunk, $21,846, or 14.9 percent, came from Honolulu. Another $15,000, or 10.2 percent, came from California. Kailua-Kona contributors brought in $14,298, or 9.7 percent, and Waimea donors sent in $12,500, or 8.5 percent.
The remaining 20 percent of Lau’s 238 itemized contributions were primarily scattered over ZIP codes on the island and in the state.
Lau said he was born and raised on Oahu and that accounts for his Honolulu friends wanting to host a fundraiser there.
All of Hoffmann’s and Hapai’s contributions of more than $100 came from Big Island sources, according to their reports. Kim reported no contributions over $100. McCandless had one Honolulu contribution for $200, with the remainder coming from the Big Island.
Expenditures cover everything from campaign signs and T-shirts to food, brochures, entertainment, advertising and campaign headquarter expenses.
Lau has had the money to create an entire line of color-coordinated campaign accessories, bearing the message, “Caring for the community,” in purple and yellow. Long lines of supporters are already sign-waving along island roadsides.
Kim may not have the money for a lot of campaign materials, but he had an enthusiastic group of friends and union supporters at Hawaii Government Employees Association on Saturday, painting 200 signs for him. The yellow signs sport a variety of messages from “Wild About Harry,” to just plain “Harry.”
Hoffmann’s red and white banners and ball caps carry a simple message of “Pete Hoffmann for county mayor.’
Lau had spent all but $48,262 of his largess by June 30, the end of the reporting period, Hoffmann had $4,386 left, Weinert had $721 and the rest were in negative territory.
