Time to vote, folks! Hard to believe that Saturday–THIS SATURDAY–is the Hawaii state Primary Election. Finally, after months of political ads clogging our radio and television airwaves, we get to find out who wins the big popularity contest we call Democracy. Well, half-wins–this is just a Primary, so we’ll meet back here in November and finally settle (well, at least for two years…)
So after you vote on Saturday, you’ll probably want to party (or at least find out who won). And thankfully, there are a few places Saturday night that will be buzzing for you political junkies out there.
Those of of the organized labor bent are encouraged to head over to ILWU Local 142‘s party. It’ll be at their Wailuku headquarters (896 Lower Main St.). House Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki is slated to attend, as are state Senator J. Kalani English, Maui County Councilman Mike Victorino and even 2nd District congressional candidate Mufi Hannemann. The doors open at 6pm, though we were told nothing really gets started until 7pm. And make no mistake: given the ILWU’s dominance over local politics, this is a party: “Nobody leaves hungry,” one union official told us.
Many candidates are making the rounds to various media outlets or just staying home and watching the returns there, but a few of the bigger names on the ballot will have events as the returns start rolling in.
If you lean to the right on the ideological spectrum, you might want to hang with the Linda Lingle for Senate crowd. They’ll will be gathered at their Wailuku headquarters (2086 Main St.).
Those more to the left might appreciate the folks at the Mazie Hirono for Senate party at her Wailuku campaign office (1942 Main St. #106).
But if you just feel like staying home and watching the returns come in from the comfort of your couch (polls close at 6pm, but this being Hawaii, it will likely be a late night), you’ve got a few options.
Starting at 6pm Akaku will carry live election results, analysis and candidate interviews starting at 6pm across their broadcast spectrum (Channels 52, 53 and 54). Kathy Collins and Jeff King will host, with Kula Community Association activist Dick Mayer and former County of Maui Communications Director Mahina Martin handling the analysis (you can also join their live audience at their Kahului office at 333 Dairy Rd.).
Over on Channel 55, at 5:30pm Maui Now’s Wendy Osher, Pacific Radio Group’s Fred Guzman and KPOA’s Alaka’i Paleka will talk up the returns as they come in (the program will also play on KNUI AM 900 and will stream live on mauinow.com.
Photo of Mao Zedong voting: Wikimedia Commons
