The Democratic Party of Hawaii on Thursday (May 17) attacked Linda Lingle, the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, for not explaining where she stands on gay marriage.

In its press release, the party’s Chuck Freedman cites a recent Civil Beat article that says Lingle did not respond to inquiries on the issue.

Press release quote from Freedman:

Once again, Linda Lingle is siding with Mitt Romney and against Barack Obama and equal rights for all Americans. President Obama took a principled stand by endorsing gay marriage, but Lingle continues to hide the fact that she stands with Republicans like Mitt Romney against equal rights. Even worse, she is campaigning across the state next week with an ultra-right Republican Congressman (Tom Cole of Oklahoma) who is against women’s right to choose, wants to privatize Social Security and has a poor record on equal rights. Linda Lingle’s sending a clear message to Hawaii residents that once she gets to D.C., she’ll gladly stand with the most partisan Republicans and against President Obama.

Civil Beat has asked Lingle’s campaign whether they wish to respond. No word yet.

Promo for Thursday evening’s (May 17) “Insights” on PBS:

Thousands of Micronesians live in Hawaii under the Compact of Free Association with the United States. They come here for job opportunities, education and medical care not available back home. Once here, however, the reality for too many is poverty, homelessness and limited access to health care. Guests will discuss the Micronesian community’s most pressing issues, including racial discrimination and access to medical care and social services.

Joining moderator Dan Boylan are Noda Lojkar, Honolulu Consul General, Republic of the Marshall Islands; Patricia McManaman, director of the Department of Human Services; Neal Palafox, professor of family medicine and community health, UH John A. Burns School of Medicine; and Innocenta Sound-Kikku, vice chair, Micronesian Health Community Network.

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, who is acting governor for a couple of days this week while Neil Abercrombie is visiting family in New York, is holding a campaign fundraiser Thursday evening (May 17) at Nico’s Pier 38.

The suggested donation is $50.

The latest in neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Kukui Grove Center unveils electronic charging stations

Hikers will follow old pathway to Haleakala summit

Geothermal amendments advance in Hawaii County Council

Maui Council members continue to dole out bonuses

County and state push for Nahiku Community Center

Big Isle coffee growers at odds over House bill

State DOT proposes change in plans for Lahaina Bypass

Measure to amend Hawaii County budget divides finance committee

Marathon officials get leg up from Kauai County

Lahaina ranks in top seaside towns

Senior workshops encourage healthy aging on Garden Isle

Hanapepe doctor withdraws guilty plea in prescription drug case

Sierra Club talks aquaculture, fish ponds in Kona

Photo of Kona coffee courtesy *christopher*.

The Washington Post has this item examining how the issue of same-sex marriage might impact U.S. Senate races.

Excerpt:

It’s possible.

Combined data from Washington Post-ABC News polls do show that while the country as a whole tilts in favor of gay marriage, voters in some key swing states oppose it.

Excerpt:

Seven of the 11 Democratic nominees or likely nominees running for open seats this cycle already support gay marriage. Of those, four are running in swing states — Rep. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, Rep. Shelley Berkley in Nevada, Rep. Martin Heinrich in New Mexico, and former Sen.Bob Kerrey in Nebraska. (Rep. Mazie Hirono in Hawaii, Rep. Chris Murphy in Connecticut and Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts are the others.) In those races, nothing has changed, although Obama’s endorsement might elevate the issue a bit.

Hirono’s primary opponent, Ed Case, supports gay marriage while the likely Republican nominee, Linda Lingle, did not return Civil Beat’s call following President Obama’s historic announcement last week.

It seems unlikely, but that rumor was going around at the Hawaii Republican Party state convention last weekend.

Pat Saiki (pictured below at right) is a former state legislator and U.S. representative who finished third in a gubernatorial bid in 1994. She turns 82 this month, but then, senior citizens already represent Hawaii in the governorship and Congress and another is seeking the Honolulu mayorship.

Saiki introduced Charles Djou at the convention, and she appeared hearty and hale. Duke Aiona, who ran unsuccessfully for governor two years ago, attended the convention but had no speaking role.

The latest in neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Lingle opens Maui headquarters in Wailuku

OHA revisits Makaweli Poi Mill transition

Hawaii County quashes trash transfer

Kauai case of animal cruelty to horses dismissed

Proposal: Loosen reins on geothermal energy

Big Isle charitable donation rescinded

Garden Isle homesteaders to get $1M in tax relief

Elected corporation counsel, new position review bills move forward

Photo courtesy dgj103.

The latest in neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Makaweli Poi facing last days

New charges for Kula man for numerous cash deposits

Kanemitsu Bakery to appeal $90,000 fine

Big Isle council debates Leilani shelter

Molokai Library to celebrate 75th anniversary

Judge Heely pledges to take job “very seriously”

Kenoi’s $365M budget advances

Maui Council eyes new bus fares

DLNR hosts meetings on Kaunakakai ferry improvements

Photo of Kalalau sea caves courtesy brockzilla.

Linda Lingle, GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, supports efforts in Congress to recognize “the important role military working dogs play today and to give them the respect and treatment they have earned.”

Press release info:

They sniff out bombs, patrol dangerous explosive zones, and put themselves in harm’s way to protect our soldiers. Yet military working dogs are currently classified as “equipment” by the Pentagon and are sometimes left behind and forgotten.

Visit PetLoversForLingle for more information.

• Amy Asselbaye, chief of staff

• Andrew Aoki, deputy chief of staff

• Josh Levinson, communications director

• Laurie Au, deputy communications director

• Neal Palafox, Health director

• Marc Alexander, homeless coordinator

• Sunshine Topping, Human Resources director

• Bobby Hall, Hawaiian Home Lands deputy director

• Dean Hirata, Budget and Finance deputy director

• Everett Kaneshige, Commerce and Consumer Affairs deputy director

• Gregory Jackson, Office of Veteran Services director

• UPDATED: Ryan Okahara, Accounting and General Services deputy director

Former Hawaii Democratic strategist Andy Winer is working for Mazie Hirono’s U.S. Senate campaign in a volunteer capacity as senior advisor.

Winer’s previous political experience includes Hawaii director for the Barack Obama campaign in 2007 and 2008 and as the campaign manager for Senator Dan Akaka 2006 re-election. 

PR exec Carolyn Tanaka will begin work next week as deputy campaign manager in charge of communications.

In observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, all national and Hawaii flags at state offices and agencies as well as the Hawaii National Guard are at half-staff Tuesday (May 15). 

Photo courtesy conner395.

Honolulu Pride, a LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual & Ally) advocacy organization, has named grand marshals for the 2012 Honolulu Pride Parade and Celebration, set for June 2 in Waikiki.

They include President Barack Obama, who was named an honorary grand marshall.

Grand marshalls include Farrington High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance,Mitch Kahle of Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church and Sister Joan Chatfield of Maryknoll.

Press release quote from Michael Golojuch. Jr., Chair of Honolulu Pride:

These amazing individuals, organizations and businesses have had a significant impact in Hawaii’s LGBTQIA community and our on-going struggle for justice and equality. We are grateful for everything that each of the Grand Marshals has done and continues to do, as we all work towards full equality.

Car from Tapa’s Restaurant and Lanai Bar, a gay bar in Waikiki.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is on personal leave beginning Tuesday (May 15) until Friday (May 18). He will be visiting family in New York state.

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz will be acting governor.   

On Friday, Schatz will travel to Taiwan and Korea to meet with officials to promote tourism and sign a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation.

Attorney General David Louie will serve as acting governor until Abercrombie returns from his trip at 5:30 p.m.

Jan Gouveia, former deputy director of the Department of Accounting and General Services, is now working for Hawaiian Airlines.

Gouveia, who left April 27, had served as interim director until Feb. 1, when Dean Seki was named comptroller.

Gouveia was named deputy comptroller last June to work with the state’s chief information officer, Sonny Bhagowalia, to transform the state’s technology system.

Prior to that, she was deputy director for administration for the Department of Transportation.

Gouveia’s departure brings to 13 the number of notable departures from the administration.