Kailua-Kona — The Hawaii County Democratic Party held its 2019 convention on Saturday in Honokaa, where new officers were elected and speeches presented as the party heads toward the 2020 General Election.
The new officers for the county Democratic Party are:
Heather Kimball, chair; Gerri Carvalho Kahili, east side vice chair; Zahava Zaidoff, west side vice chair; Jeff McKnight, secretary; Colleen Kelly, assistant secretary ; Chuck Grigsby, treasurer; Amy Miwa, assistant Treasurer; Luella Nohea Crutcher, non-male kanaka oiwi; Devin Ali’i Keanaaina, non-female kanaka oiwi.
In her speech to the convention outgoing chair Margaret Willie encouraged the county’s Democrats to not let in-fighting prevent the party from ultimately uniting around the party’s nominee for president.
“It is fine and dandy that each of us choose among the exceptional array of Democratic candidates for president,” she said, “but once we choose one among them, I expect each of you to lead on the local, state and national level in support of our Democratic Party presidential candidate, our team captain, in what is likely the most important political fight in our life time: taking back the presidency and if possible also taking back the Senate.”
The West Hawaii Republicans had a call to convention scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Waikoloa. A representative of that group did not respond to an email or phone call.