Hawai`i Republicans Meet in Annual State Convention
News Release from Hawaii Republican Party May 20, 2013
Kane`ohe, Hawai`i – Despite a poor economy after more than 4 years of President Obama’s failed economic policies and a stagnant Hawai`i economy brought to you by Hawai`i’s Democrat leadership, Hawaii Republicans from across the state gathered in convention on Saturday, May 18 celebrating a theme of “Growth, Opportunity, and Kuleana.”
Convention highlights:
- Raised enough funds to pay off a $110 thousand debt
- Reelected David Chang as state chairman, Boyd Ready as Vice Chair for Coordinated Campaigns, and Marcia Klompus as Treasurer
- Elected Janice Pechauer as Vice Chair for Candidate Recruitment and Training, Andy Mukk as Vice Chair for Communications, Celyn Chong Kee as Vice Chair for Community Service, Janell Yim as Vice Chair for Coalitions, and Jame Schaedel as Secretary
- Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus video report
- Hawai`i Republican National Committeewoman Miriam Hellreich report
- Hawai`i State House Minority Caucus report from Representatives Aaron Ling Johanson, Beth Fukumoto, and Richard Fale
- Hawai`i Senate Minority Sam Slom video report
- Reports from the O`ahu League of Republican Women, Young Republicans, and Hawai`i State Federation of College Republicans
- Approved four of five proposed changes to state party rules
- Considered and approved various resolutions
Former Lieutenant Governor James "Duke” Aiona delivered the convention keynote address, urging Hawai`i Republicans to unify in the spirit of aloha, recognizing that Republicans can “agree to disagree” while continuing to work together for Hawai`i Republican common values of Liberty, Limited Government, Individual Responsibility, Fiscal Accountability, and Equality of Opportunity.
In his remarks, Aiona stated that the only future elected office he is currently considering running for is Governor.
Recognizing and fully confronting the challenges and opportunities ahead, State Chairman Chang and his newly elected Hawai`i Republican Party leadership team embraced a campaign theme of “One Party, One Mission, One Team.” They acknowledged that the party has experienced tough times, and all Hawai'i Republicans have competing ideas on how we should move forward, but we should be able to bring all of those opinions to the table and work together in a constructive manner that uplifts our party and its members.
“The new leadership team brings a diverse set of experiences,” said Chang, but we all share a common belief in America, the strength of the two party system and the mission to elect more Republicans.”
The Hawai`i Republican Party will continue to work hard to promote Republican values, educate and inform Hawaii’s voters, recruit quality candidates, and elect Republicans to help restore prosperity to our state, eliminate over-regulation, reduce government waste, and ensure government officials are accountable for their actions. The Hawai`i Republican Party welcomes all Hawai`i citizens who share our values to join us.
Hawai`i Republicans respect the First Amendment, freedom of expression, and the right to disagree or have other opinions. We believe a vigorous, honest, and respectful fact-based debate, based on public policy issues, is healthy for our party, our state, and our nation, and makes us stronger. We believe in the rule of law and accountability to our membership for the leadership and management of our party’s activities.
The results of Saturday’s election strongly affirmed the state convention delegates’ confidence in Chairman Chang’s leadership and the vision of his Executive Committee to build a stronger Hawai`i Republican Party welcome to all Republicans who are willing to work together in a constructive manner.
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