A recent Honolulu Civil Beat story described the “strong political factions” currently at battle in the Maui election. It identified the combatants as the mainland-created 501(c)(4) dark money group Hui O Maui and a progressive group called “Maui Ohana.”
The story was puzzling. To start with, the fight hardly seems evenly matched. Based on the latest forms filed with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission earlier this month, Hui O Maui has dropped $120,000 into Maui’s general election. That’s gone to two super PACs urging voters to reject all seven charter amendments and elect a slate of mainly pro-business, conservative candidates (Mike Molina is the exception and he comes into play in this story as well). By comparison, the total expenditures from progressive-oriented non-candidate and ballot issue groups during the same time period is about half as much.
Hardly a gladiatorial match-up in my book. Right now, it looks more like David and Goliath.
The bigger problem is that the story referenced a group called “Maui Ohana.” There is no organization by that name on the island. There are, however, two other progressive-focused groups: Maui’s Green Future Project and the Maui Pono Network.
So make that Goliath and a couple Davids.
Oddly, both have printed postcards and banners using the same title: “Maui ‘Ohana Candidates,” but with slightly different endorsements.
Maui’s Green Future Project’s “Maui ‘Ohana Candidates” materials support Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Gabe Johnson, Kelly King, Tamara Paltin, Carol Lee Kamekona, and Shane Sinenci.
The Maui Pono Network put up same-named “Maui ‘Ohana Candidates” banners and hung packets on 17,000 island doorknobs with the same six candidates.
Where the two diverge is on endorsement number seven: the Makawao-Haiku-Paia county council seat. Maui’s Green Future Project’s materials support incumbent Mike Molina; Maui Pono Network supports his challenger, political newcomer Aja Eyre.
Confusing? It was to the readers who contacted Politics On Maui. Candidate Molina said that he had received a few phone calls from constituents as well. “They were confused but still appreciated my work this term,” he said, ever the consummate politician.
Why are these progressive organizations using the same “‘Maui ‘Ohana Candidates” name for their slightly different candidate slates? The responses from the leaders of the Green Future Project and the Pono Network involved politics, a bit of posturing and, ultimately, a collective shrug about voter confusion.
Their official explanations go something like this: Maui Pono Network executive director Paul Deslauriers said his group has been using the Maui ‘Ohana Candidates name throughout the 2020 election cycle, starting with the primary. “A group of the island’s top progressive leaders spent 3,000 hours interviewing, recording and discussing 33 candidates,” he said. “There was a reason we chose Aja.”
Deslauriers declared that his group had “no say” about Maui Green Future Project’s decision to use the ‘Ohana Candidates name, or endorse Mike Molina. “We started promoting our candidates back in July. We have been promoting that slate consistently.”
Deslauriers added that he was “saddened” that the two same-but-different Ohana Candidates materials have caused confusion. “But this is what was done and it’s out of my control.”
Green Future Project chairman Mark Sheehan had a different perspective. He says Maui Pono Network’s use of the Maui ‘Ohana Candidates name “infringed on our brand.” In fact, Sheehan is an administrator for the Maui ‘Ohana Candidates page on Facebook. While the Maui ‘Ohana name has been kicking around progressive circles for years, it was Sheehan who conceptualized and first started using ‘Ohana candidate slate materials to great success during the 2016 election through his 501(c)(4) group Safe Action For the Environment. In 2018, newcomer Maui Pono Network also began using the ‘Ohana candidates name on its materials, which endorsed the same council candidates.
It was problematic from a fund-raising standpoint because local progressively-oriented funders tended to split their donations between the two groups’ often duplicative efforts. That made it more difficult for each organization to handle the sometimes hefty print and advertising costs. There was tension between the two organizations as a result and the problem was discussed in 2018, post-election (I attended the meeting). Apparently, there was no resolution.
But this is the first time the groups’ materials haven’t matched up in endorsements for a county council slate.
Sheehan was steadfast in his support for Mike Molina, explaining, “He’s been so helpful with the charter amendments and with water and affordable housing issues.” But Sheehan said that Maui Pono Network “felt that giving name recognition to Aja would help her two years from now.”
Though upset over the brand infringement issue, Sheehan called the endorsement difference “minor.” He added, “I hope people vote in large numbers for Aja. It won’t matter, Mike is unbeatable.”
That the two groups would rather generate some voter confusion rather than give up the “Ohana Candidate” name speaks to the power of the concept.
Maui progressive kingpin Michael Williams—who is the “custodian of books and accounts” for the Green Future Project–acknowledged the power of the Maui ‘Ohana Candidate name on cards and banners. “It’s an important brand that people on Maui recognize as being the progressive side of the council,” he said in an interview. And, as an enthusiastic supporter of Mike Molina, Williams considers Maui Pono Network’s endorsement of Aja Eyre to be a “big political mistake, but they’re free to do what they want to do.”
Williams dismissed whatever confusion the two groups may have caused with their differing materials: “It’s a non-issue,” he said. “We agree on six out of seven candidates. Besides, I think Mike Molina is going to win by about eight to one.”
However, Williams did say that he hoped that the two organizations could resolve their different approaches after the election. “The next election cycle [with the mayor up for re-election] is going to be really tough for everybody.”
It’s important that people work together, as Michael pointed out, especially next election.
The amount of money that came in from Honolulu in the mainland in the mayors Place last time was a real eye-opener for me and of course we had another huge influx of money from the mainland in this election.
There are millions and millions of dollars to be made by paving over paradise and turning it into a big parking lot. Residents need to have faith and believe that their votes make a difference. This election and the next really going to determine Maui‘s future. I see excessive development as destruction. I don’t see it as progress.