Clayton Hee opens campaign headquarters in race for lt. governor

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Clayton Hee officially opened his campaign headquarters Sunday in the race for lieutenant governor.

Dozens of supporters, including former Gov. Ben Cayetano and Honolulu City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, greeted the candidate at the headquarters in Nuuanu.

Hee said he hopes to bring change to the office and expand the lieutenant governor's role.

"I think the office is a lot of wasted resources in some ways," he said. "I think it should be a lot more useful. It should be a more vibrant and active role of the executive."

This is Hee's second run for lieutenant governor. The longtime state senator and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee is challenging incumbent Shan Tsutsui in the Democratic primary. Tsutsui was appointed to the office two years ago.

Eight others are also running for state's second-highest office. They include Former city parks and recreation director Lester Chang is teaming up with former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann on the Independent ticket. Republican Elwin Ahu, a former Hawaii circuit court judge and Senior Pastor for New Hope Metro, said he is running to help restore the public's faith in government. Former television reporter Mary Zanakis is running as a Democrat.

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