HILO — A last-minute cash infusion from two labor unions put mayoral candidate Wally Lau over the $200,000 mark, while his two closest rivals have reported about a tenth of that.
Lau had received $200,120 in contributions, including $25,000 he loaned his campaign, according to reports filed with the state Campaign Spending Commission by Wednesday’s deadline.
Lau received $2,000 each from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and International Longshore and Warehouse Union just prior to the reporting deadline. He’s also been endorsed by the Hawaii Island Contractors’ Association.
“I’m humbled and honored and I appreciate every supporter,” Lau said.
He pointed out that the union money comes from individual contributions of the union members.
“They feel I’m worthy of their hard-earned money,” Lau said. “They see me as a viable candidate.”
Union members have a regular paycheck deduction, some of which goes for political purposes.
Pete Hoffmann reported $27,224, with a $5,000 loan to his campaign. Hoffmann wasn’t endorsed by any of the unions, but he said he’s happy with what he calls grass-roots support from many smaller donors.
“It reflects that there’s lot of individual donations, which is very encouraging,” Hoffmann said. “That shows I am reaching, I think, a really wide base of people rather than just a handful of companies and individuals.”
Some 38 percent of Hoffmann’s contribution total came from those contributing $100 or less, compared to 8.5 percent for Lau.
Harry Kim collected only $13,570, including a $8,602 a loan from himself. He reported 100 percent of the contributions coming from those giving $100 or less. In fact, Kim said, he limited campaign contributions to $10 per donor.
Kim was endorsed by the Hawaii Government Employees Association, Carpenters Union Local 745 and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association. The endorsements brought no contributions, Kim said.
He said in the 2012 campaign, he’d sent a big check back to one of the unions, explaining his $10 policy. He didn’t get another check.
“If I ask for $4,000 I’d get it; if I ask for $10 I get nothing,” Kim joked.
Kim said he’s more appreciative of the hours his supporters have worked, making signs, rallying the community and getting his message out.
“It’s priceless,” he said. “You can’t buy that kind of support.”
The top three in the money race have all had government experience, although this is Lau’s first time campaigning for an election. Lau was Mayor Billy Kenoi’s right-hand man, serving as managing director before resigning to run a campaign.
Hoffmann served eight years on the County Council, including a stint as chairman. Kim was mayor for eight years, and lost a close 2012 election to the incumbent Kenoi.
Other candidates in the crowded field are Shannon McCandless, with $4,109; Marlene Hapai, with $1,565; Wendell Kaehuaea, with $691; Eric Drake Weinert, with $421 and Helen Olena Luta, with $403.
Candidates Alvin Akina Jr., Paul Bryant, Daniel Cunningham, Gene Tamishiro and Timothy Wagh filed statements that their contributions and expenditures won’t exceed $1,000, and won’t be required to submit reports until after the election.
