by Andrew Walden

Delegates for across Hawaii gathered at the Kroc Center in Kapolei for the Hawaii State Republican Convention Saturday, May 2, 2015. 

Speakers included Former Lt Governor Duke Aiona, Rep Charles Djou, outgoing State Party Chair Rep Pat Saiki, House Minority Leader Beth Fukumoto, Reps Andria Tupola and Feki Pouha,  Republican National Committeewoman Miriam Hellreich, and Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day of Arizona.

Fukumoto told the 204 delegates present, "We are losing and are going to keep losing unless we do things differently."  She urged Republicans to recruit candidates who "agree (with them) 75% of the time but work for their district 100% of the time."

Tupola said, "The benefit of being in the minority is you can be an independent thinker....  We can create change.  Visualize it and go get it."

Hawaii Republicans will host their second-ever Presidential Caucuses March 8, 2016 in district voting locations statewide:  Over 10,000 Hawaii Republicans voted in the 2012 Hawaii Republican Presidential Caucuses.

Party Treasurer Marcia Klompus reported the GOP is "debt free and ... has $131,306 cash on hand...." 

Delegates elected Fritz Rohlfing State Party Chair by a 139 - 50 margin over challenger Mike Palcic.  Rohlfing succeeds Rep Pat Saiki who did not seek reelection.

Boyd Ready won election as Party Secretary by 115 - 66 over challenger Brett Kulbis of the Hawaii Republican Assembly.

The following Party officers were elected in uncontested elections:

• Bob Hickling--Vice Chair for coordinated campaigns
• Former Rep Barbara Marumoto--Vice Chair for Candidate Recruitment
• Andres Mukk -- Vice Chair for Communications
• Nancy Monahan--Vice Chair for Community Service
• Donna Swygard--Vice Chair for Coalitions
• George Kekuna-- Treasurer

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HUNDREDS OF HAWAII REPUBLICANS GATHERED FOR "RIDING THE WAVE" THEMED CONVENTION TO ELECT A NEW STATE CHAIR

News Release from Hawaii GOP May 5, 2015

HONOLULU (May 5, 2015) - Over 250 delegates and guests gathered on Saturday, May 2nd at the Kroc Center in Kapolei for the Republican Party of Hawaii's annual State Convention. Themed "Riding the Wave," the convention focused on implementing the technological and grassroots strategies that helped Republicans sweep local, state and federal elections across the nation in the 2014 midterm elections.

Delegates elected Frederick "Fritz" Rohlfing, local attorney and son of former State Senator Fred Rohlfing, as the new State Chair. The position was previously held by the Honorable Pat Saiki.

"I feel blessed to carry on the great traditions of proud Hawaii Republicans like Pat Saiki, Hiram Fong, Prince Kuhio, and my father. Over the last two years, we've transformed the State Party into a modern, agile political organization that is ready for the 2016 elections and beyond," said Rohlfing, "As State Chair, I'm excited to lead the charge in electing more Republicans to office."

The Convention keynote was delivered by Sharon Day, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee. 

Other Hawaii Republicans elected to the state party Executive Committee for 2015-2017 are former State Rep. Barbara Marumoto, Vice Chair for Candidate Recruitment and Training; Donna Swygard, Vice Chair for Coalitions; Andy Mukk, Vice Chair for Communications; Nancy Monahan, Vice Chair for Community Service; Bob Hickling, Vice Chair for Coordinated Campaigns; Boyd Ready, Secretary; and George Kekuna, Treasurer.

Carol Thomas, President of the Oahu League of Republican Women, was honored as the Republican Party of Hawaii “Volunteer of the Year.”

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