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Why not ask Dante Carpenter for a second term he lost to the late Akana? He had islandwide appeal, except in West Hawaii Today. He is available after quadruple-dipping Heen dumped him last fall, despite Dante leading on this island by a handsome margin.

Dante Carpenter was the facilitator for an OHA meeting held last year to take public input for OHA's budget. I thought he did a great job, gave everyone a chance to share their mana'o no matter how extreme the ideas might have been, made sure to reiterate what each person said so as to get it right, and overall, he did a darn good job of respecting what we all had to say. Not only that, when the OHA newspaper came out a month later, his staff listed all of our comments. I was really impressed with the way in which he handled the meeting and was disappointed that he did not make it back to OHA. I don't know if Mr. Clark is joking, but as I recall, he wasn't all that well liked way back then in the 80s thus the reason why he lost to Bernard Akana for the mayor's race. Since then, I think he has really come a long way in terms of maturity. Just goes to show us that some life experiences can really make us better leaders.

Sorry for possibly sending an incomplete post earlier but I just wanted to add that Angel Pilago did want to run for mayor. So there is at least one person or maybe 2 people from West Hawaii who could be running for mayor if you include Dominique, who's district partly lies in West Hawaii.

Josephine hit the nail right on the head. I am very impressed with her insight and knowledge of history in this County.

Dante Carpenter lost to Bernard Akana (God bless his soul; he was a lovely man) the same way Safarik lost to Emily. The people at the time wanted anyone in but him. Maybe not an exact analogy, but the best I could think of. Hopefully, with age does comes wisdom.

As to Angel Pilago, I could think of a lot worse. He seems to be at the very least, less politically motivated than the rest. He is one that I believe has some credibility. When I watch him speak during the televised meetings, his demeanor is seasoned, and his direct questions and opinions are worthy of consideration.

I personally would like to see a Rudy Guilliani (sp?) type as Mayor of this County. Someone who won't take any crap from anyone, with a backbone, and a business/administration head. Tall order.

Thanks for the opportunity to discuss this subject. We really need to plan now.

Having served with Dante Carpenter in the State Senate, I heartily endorse Hugh Clark's and Josephine's comments about his viability as Mayor -- along with the other fine candidates mentioned.

Angel would do very well, I think, island wide. He is extremely well thought of here in WH. I have wished he had a little higher profile on the various issues, but his style is low key, and almost spiritual, in that he seems comes to his decisions carefully, and then completely. I think as Mayor he would be a consensus builder, which we could certainly use.

I agree that Dominic Yagong's presence and appreciation is enhanced today in Puna and I don't regret that. I found Dominic Yagong very astute and considerate of everyone in his deliberations. I want to contact Emily Naeole soon and see how we can all work together in Puna to achieve something good for the homeless situation.

I do disagree with describing Yagong's final position as siding with the "Sierra Club side". Nothing against the Sierra Club but the opposition I saw and participated in was not antibusiness or antigrowth but simply anti bad planning.

I have called the applicant for the self storage to offer him support in finding a better location for the business. If self storage made $3.3 million in sense on Hwy. 130 it will also make good business sense in a more appropriate location in Pahoa Village.

Anson, aka the former Senator Anson Chong, mahalo for the comments. I still remember you from my college student days at Manoa campus, standing on the roadside campaigning in your white long sleeve shirt and your trademark kukui nut lei that you still wear. Very dashing.
But getting back to the subject, if any of the former senators ran for mayor, I think the other council members would have a tough time. JMO.

Hold on!
The impression is left that "Sierra Club side" equals "antibusiness or antigrowth." That is dangersously simplistic -- which is the same thing I tell my fellow Sierra Club members when they blame all business for all problems with the environment ;>)

I'm surprised no one mentioned Billy Kenoi as a potential candidate for mayor. He's a lawyer, a charismatic public speaker, and has some street smarts. I think his experience is limited to the public defender's office and Harry Kim's administration, but I like the guy. As far I can tell, he's honestly trying to make a contribution.

He also grew up in Kalapana, and Puna's blog overlooked him?

Whatever happens, I don't want to be forced choose between recycles like Dante Carpenter, Lorraine Inouye and Andy Levin. If not Kenoi, at least let's cast the net wider than those three veterans, OK?

Be aware that Jimmy Arakaki has lots of money left in his campaign funds!
When I looked a few months ago, it was about $18,000.
He can keep it for up to two years, and spend it on another campaign. Or, he can use it to fund fundraisers for one or more other candidates.
Check it out @ http://www.hawaii.gov/campaign/

Higa and Arakaki will not be competing.

If it gets down to Higa and/or Arakaki, I WILL RUN!
However, pigs don't fly.

How about Curtis Tyler?

I don't think we'd be that lucky to have Curtis Tyler run. He's a very knowledgable person and, to me, would be a great choice. Someone should ask him to consider running. As I said about Mr. Pilago, we could do alot worse. He has roots, education, experience, and above all, integrity and credibility, in my opinion.

I have watched him testify on many bills and resolutions (on CH52), and of course, during his tenure as councilman. The past and current council actually asked for his direction (not opinion) on a few issues.

I may not have agreed with everything he says or how he voted during his term on the council, however, that is one educated, well spoken, seasoned, Hawaii-born and raised (and from Kona for many generations) man.

Yes, Angel Pilago is an exceptional public servant.
Would I support him for Mayor? ...where do I sign up?
What he has that others can only try to emulate is dignity and selfless conviction.
...p.s., not sure about "from Kona for many generations"; I understood he grew up in Nanikuli, Leeward Oahu [the toughest and meanest neighborhood in islands...(?)

Mr. Pilago is not from Kona and yes, he does have that special charisma about him. I often wonder why he never gave Jerry Rothstein the credit he deserved in the famous gathering rights issue that he claims to have won on his own. James Weatherford or anyone supporting Pilago should question Pilago on this and see how he words his answers.