Kimo Sutton to represent minority party in Hawaii if elected lieutenant governor

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kimo Sutton, a Republican, said Thursday during a live interview on Hawaii News Now, if elected as lieutenant governor in the upcoming election, he would represent a minority party in Hawaii.

"I'll be doing what the governor wants me to do, but I also could advocate on part of people in Hawaii, especially the minority party, Republicans, by helping go down in the Legislature and possibly giving my mana'o as you know what that's called, saying what I can say, to help," he said.

Coming out of what he calls "political retirement," Sutton served 25 years on the neighborhood board and has taken on leadership roles in various clubs and organizations including the Waikiki Lions and Hawaii Macintosh and Apple Users' Society.

"I've been around the block a little bit, so my priorities right now are for the people of Hawaii, and we have to get Duke (Aiona) elected," he said. "I think I'm a better candidate to help him get elected, help him raise money, help him be delivering his message about Hawaii."

Among issues he would like to fix is the election process, referring to the state running out of ballots in 2012.

"I'd like a little more oversight on the elections," he said. "I don't trust them as much as other people should be trusting them."

Sutton also addressed his position on the Jones Act -- a 1920 law requiring that goods can only be delivered between U.S. ports by ships made in the U.S. and flying the country's flags -- which lawmakers have pointed to as a factor in Hawaii's high cost of living.

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