Pro-development PAC pours over $650K into county council races

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An investigation reveals a pro-development political action committee has spent heavily in county council races statewide, with a particular focus on Maui, where pro-development and pro-conservation factions divide the county council.

Read more Wastewater spill reported on Kauai after Hurricane Lowell

After helping Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami win the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, the Hawaii carpenters union PAC, “For a Better Tomorrow” managed by Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP), is shifting its spending.

“Obviously we’re concerned that you’re not going to drop millions of dollars on candidates without expecting some kind of return on investment,” said Wayne Tanaka, Sierra Club of Hawaii chapter director.

Maui council divided over growth issues

Maui is the epicenter of statewide debates about overtourism, vacation rentals, unaffordable housing, water rights, and environmental and cultural protection.

The county’s elected officials often split evenly over those conflicts.

“The Maui council and the Maui politics in general is more polarized than in most of the state,” said Colin Moore, HNN political analyst.

The carpenters union, through Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) and its PAC “For a Better Tomorrow,” reported spending $654,478 through the primary, papering the county with mailers for five candidates, with control of the council at stake.

“County councils are where the rubber hits the road in a lot of areas, right?” Tanaka said.

Spending breakdown by candidate

Mayoral candidate Yuki Lei Sugimura got $237,820 in support from the PAC, but most of the spending went to four council candidates. Only $3,150 was spent on incumbent Tom Cook, who did not have a primary.

Vacant seat candidates received six-figure help: Kauanoe Batangan received $121,452, Derrick Cabiles received $132,661, and Ashley Awakea Lindsey, who spent only $5,000 of her own money, received $159,395 in independent support, about 30 times her own spending, which got people talking.

“Why are they supporting you? Did you make a backhand deal already?” she said some asked.

Read more Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum unveils transformed galleries

Lindsey has been recognized by Jason Momoa for supporting fire survivors, promotes Hawaiian cultural practices, and served on the county planning commission, where she sometimes conflicted with PRP. Some supporters were offended by the PAC’s backing of her campaign.

“If they know PRP and its history, they’ll say, denounce PRP, don’t take their money. I’m like, I’m not taking their money, but like, I don’t get to choose what they’re saying or what they’re doing either,” Lindsey said.

Asked if someone called her pro-development or anti-development, what she would say to that, Lindsey said, “I would say I love Maui.”

Opponent spent far less

Lindsey’s opponent, Maui airport manager Marvin Moniz, came out on top in the primary, spending only about $30,000. Moniz says his positions on growth and creating jobs are in line with PRP, but he wanted to stick with a grassroots campaign.

As a new mom, Lindsey says she didn’t aggressively fundraise and appreciates the PAC’s support.

“I haven’t been bought out by them and they don’t expect that from me,” Lindsey said.

None of the spending is illegal, and PRP’s pro-growth agenda is no secret. The money comes from carpenters’ union dues.

HNN asked for an interview or a statement to explain the union’s and PAC’s endorsement and spending choices, but neither responded.

Read more Freeway hit-and-run victim dies as police search for driver