MEDIA ADVISORY: HRP Press Conference
News Release from Hawaii Republican Party March 12, 2014
HONOLULU- After convening its Executive Committee for a special meeting this evening, the Hawaii Republican Party will hold a press conference tomorrow, Thursday, March 13th at 11:00AM at HRP Headquarters (located at 725 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu).
The purpose of this press conference is to make a major announcement about a leadership change in the Hawaii Republican Party.
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Star-Advertiser, March 15, 2014: Saiki might be just what GOP needs
Youth is a wonderful thing, but it's not everything. Even on a political battlefield where winning over the millennial generation is seen as the big electoral prize, a warrior with many years under her belt brings a critical element to the fight: the long view.
Pat Saiki, named interim chairwoman of the Hawaii Republican Party, will bring that valuable perspective, having seen and done a great deal over the course of her career. At 83, she may also have the confidence and credentials to deliver some tough love to party dissidents who seem willing to sacrifice political power on the altar of philosophical purity.
Saiki is replacing David Chang at the GOP helm, someone who already was working on the party's outreach. Chang, who stepped down because of military deployment and family responsibilities, had the right idea about broadening the base, and Saiki needs to bring his generation into leadership positions.
Government watchers, even those with a liberal viewpoint, can agree that Hawaii needs a second party that can contend at the Legislature and for statewide and congressional races. It's a mission that begins with fielding candidates appealing to voters who align with the broad platform of the Hawaii GOP….
This is a process that needs to continue, and the only way Republicans can do that is to expand their solicitation to a wider swath of the Hawaii electorate. Democrats have dominated the field for so long that their big-tent coalition includes many fiscal conservatives as well as the more classically progressive politicians.
Many of those could be enticed to join the Republicans, if the invitation is framed correctly.
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Pat Saiki to Hawaii GOP: Candidates before ideology
Borreca March 16, 2014: Democrats love to joke that the keys to their 60 years of domination in Hawaii are the missteps of the local GOP.
"The Republicans are our secret weapon," one former Democratic Party chairman joked to me last week.
As soon as the GOP announced that Saiki was the new interim chairwoman, the rump group, the Hawaii Independent Republican Assembly, started questioning the choice.
Saying Saiki, while in the state Legislature, supported abortion, the dissident group went on to question whether Saiki was conservative enough for today's GOP.
"We can only imagine her views on gay marriage, Pono Choices, and overpaid government employees," HIRA said in an email blast.
Of course, if the minority party spends most of its time trying to saw off the ankles of fellow party members, soon you will have few people standing....
Some in-fighting is good for a political party. Former Gov. John Waihee insisted that the local GOP would not grow if it did not allow contested primaries....
Saiki is coming to the campaign season with a different message: "We don't care what label you are wearing as long as it isn't D.'"
Saying she was leading a "back to basics" campaign, Saiki said the GOP has people who can win.
"We don't have to label ourselves. People vote for individuals, not the party," she said.
Saiki may have been one of the few at party headquarters who could remember it was former Gov. John A. Burns, the founder of Hawaii's modern Democratic Party, who said: "Any damn fool can take a stand."
The jury is still out on whether Saiki can take a page from the Democrats in the November general elections....
read ... Candidates
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NEWS FLASH: GOP CONSIDERS NEW CHAIRMAN
Message to Supporters from Hawaii Republican Party
Check out this news clip from KITV:
Renewing focus on Republicans winning elections was the message coming out of yesterday's press conference as former Congresswoman Pat Saiki officially took the position as interim State Chair of the Hawaii Republican Party, following a unanimous appointment by the Executive Committee. She told reporters that our Party needs to get back-to-the-basics by registering more Republican voters and turning them out on Election Day.
“Republicans have held the governorship twice; we've been elected to the US Senate and House; we've had many great leaders in our state Legislature, and in our counties,” Saiki said. “My job as state party chairman is to make sure the Hawaii Republican Party offers voters a clear and convincing choice – about its candidates; about its values; about its vision for a Hawaii that includes a vigorous, growing economy and opportunity for all. We begin that work in earnest starting today."
Pat reiterated to supporters yesterday that candidates pushing a common sense message of small government, fiscal accountability and transparency in government will give voters a clear choice.
We're honored to welcome Chairwoman Saiki, who brings a wealth of campaign winning experience to our Party and candidates. Please take a moment to congratulate Pat and show your support by making a $25, $50, or $100 donation today!
With eight months to Election Day, Pat is not wasting anytime. She's helped Republicans win, and we're looking forward to her leadership helping us elect more Republicans come November!
Imua!
Blake Parsons
Finance Director
P.S. Support Pat and her mission to elect more Republicans this November by making a $25, $50, or $100 donation today!
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CB: Former Congresswoman Pat Saiki to Head Hawaii Republican Party
KHON: Hawaii Republican Party appoints Saiki as new chair
HR: Former Congresswoman to Head Hawaii GOP
AP: Saiki to lead Hawaii Republican Party
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Star-Adv: Hawaii GOP Chairman to Step Down
David Chang, the chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, will step down to concentrate on military and business commitments…former congresswoman Patricia Saiki is expected to be named the new party chairwoman….
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Hawaii Republican Convention May 17 -- SAVE THE DATE:
Message to Supporters from Hawaii Republican Party March 10, 2014
The annual Hawaii Republican Party State Convention will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 8am to 3pm at Ko'olau Ballrooms on Oahu.
Ko'olau Ballrooms is located at 45-550 Kionaole Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
The registration fee is $70, which includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon coffee, parking and convention materials. Per official HRP rules, the fee is limited to the amount necessary to pay for the actual expenses of the convention.
Registration information to follow.
This year, the State Convention will focus on the HRP Platform.If you are not yet a delegate, but would like to participate, please contact our HQ at 808-593-8180 or kayla@gophawaii.com
LINK: Hawaii GOP Rules