Kawika Crowley, Republican Candidate for Congress
Everyone loves an underdog. The recent primary in the Second District Congressional race proved that point when previously unknown, former Honolulu City Councilwoman
Tulsi Gabbard beat odds on favorite
Mufi Hannemann, the former Honolulu Mayor for the Democratic nomination to the 2nd Congres sional District this past August 11.
Now Tulsi Gabbard is the favorite to win this election by a landslide. She is the Democrat running against
Kawika Crowley, the Republican Candidate for the same seat. Until recently Kawika was a virtually unknown except to some of his longtime friends, fans, patriots and conservative Republicans.
Most people know Kawika as the
guy who waves the American flag on the 11th day of every month along a stretch of Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Kawika has a history and resume long on accomplishment that includes being an owner of his own ad agency, songwriter, handyman, author, and radio announcer. He was a Hilo resident for 40 years after growing up in Japan. He now resides on Oahu, currently in his old Plymouth van. You can read all about Kawika's life, accomplishments and goals on his website at
Kawika 4 Congress.
I got to know Kawika through my work as
Senator Sam Slom's office manager in the State Capitol. Several years ago Kawika came to our office to ask Senator Slom if he would support
a bill that would overturn part of the statewide smoking ban in public places... namely getting an
exemption for bars... you know adult places where people can socialize and have a drink. Senator Slom was and is supportive of that bill. So it was introduced and made its way through "the process".
For Kawika and his supporters at the
Hawaii Smokers Alliance and later the
Hawaii Bar Owners Association, introducing that bill and trying to get it through "the process" was a real education (as it is for any newcomer who wants to work within the legislative system). The bill went through the hearings and a couple of drafts before it stalled in a committee the first year. Kawika being an ad man, launched a door to door campaign at the capitol to make legislators aware of the bill.
As I recall he visited every legislative office on a daily basis and passed out flyers to each and every legislative office. When he was lucky enough, he got to speak to legislators and learn who was friendly to his cause and who was downright hostile. His door to door campaign continued throughout the first year.
Along the way Kawika and his band of supporters had plenty of questions for Senator Slom and our staff as our office became sort of a ground zero for the first year of his efforts. I remember giving him advice on several aspects of the legislative process. Kawika is a fast learner.
His group continued into the subsequent years, making
modifications to the bill each year it was introduced, through Senator Slom at first and other legislators later.
A pro-smoking bill is not popular, and so far the bill in its variations have failed to pass. Meanwhile the smoking ban at bars took effect in late 2006 and except for one time, has never been enforced as far as I know. Some bar owners defied the law and continue to allow their patrons to smoke to this very day. For them, it is a matter of keeping their businesses afloat.
Now let's get this straight. Kawika is not all about smoking. If you check
his campaign platform on his website, Mr. Crowley is a champion and supporter for basic and traditional American values... first of all upholding and respecting the
Constitution of the United States of America and supporting positions upholding traditional marriage between a man and a woman, trimming government spending, and a being firm believer in capitalism. He is also opposed to more taxes and the $6 billion
heavy rail project for Honolulu.
His opponent in this election for the most part, supports all of the mainstream liberal issues that Democrats traditionally hold dear -- unions, erosion of capitalism, socialized health care, gay marriage, abortion, more taxes for everyone, rail, and bigger government.
While Kawika is not the ideal candidate on all fronts (he supports the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement, i do not) -- he is definitely more colorful. While his chances for election to this office remain slim, I believe he would be true to his word and do many if not all of the things he proposes should he be elected to Congress.
If I was a resident of the Second Congressional District in Hawaii, my vote in this race would definitely be with Kawika.
Kawika is a TEA Party patriot and has spoken at the event.
With a couple of his supporters at the 2009 TEA Party rally - Michael and Jolyn.
Video interview with Hawaii Reporter's Malia Zimmerman.
Kawika 4 Congress YouTube Channel
Photos and text by Mel.
Photos by Mel taken with Canon Powershot S5 iS camera. Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, Honolulu, Hawaii. Nov. 15, 2012.