LIHU‘E — Members of Kaua‘i’s Democratic Party have thrown their support behind the candidate they think can beat President Bush in this year’s presidential election — Democratic front-runner, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts. Kerry garnered the most votes
LIHU‘E — Members of Kaua‘i’s Democratic Party have thrown their support behind the candidate they think can beat President Bush in this year’s presidential election — Democratic front-runner, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts.
Kerry garnered the most votes during Tuesday’s state presidential-preference poll involving more than 50 precinct sites across Hawai‘i.
In the tally vote taken from three Kaua‘i voting districts, Kerry garnered 165 votes; North Carolina Sen. John Edwards collected 53 votes; Rep. Dennis Kucinich collected 27; and former candidate Howard Dean garnered 11.
Former candidates Joe Lieberman and retired Gen. Wesley Clark both did not receive any votes on Kaua‘i.
Residents were given the chance to cast a vote in the presidential preference poll, and to sign up with the state’s Democratic Party if they weren’t already members.
The preference poll is important to Kaua‘i Democrats because it gives them “a chance to put their X on the line and say who I want to be the next president,” said Janice Bond.
Bond was in charge of the polling at the Hawaii Government Employees Association headquarters on ‘Akahi Street in Lihu‘e Tuesday night.
Bond is chairman of District 15, which covers Hanama‘ulu, Lihu‘e and Puhi. Overseeing the tally was Clyde Kodani, the chairman of the Kaua‘i Democratic Party.
Polling for District 14 was done at the Hanalei courthouse, the Kilauea Neighborhood Center and the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center. Martin Rice served as chairman of that district.
Polling for District 16 was done at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, ‘Ele‘ele School, Hanapepe Neighborhood Center, Waimea Neighborhood Center and the Kekaha Neighborhood Center. Joanne Nakashima served as the chairperson for that district.
In addition to the presidential vote tally, Kaua‘i Democrats elected precinct officers and people who will attend the Hawai‘i Democratic Party convention that is scheduled for O‘ahu during Memorial Day weekend in May.
Bond also said Kaua‘i Democrats have gone on a campaign to aggressively recruit island youths to join the party.
Island youths haven’t joined the party in large numbers in recent years, it seems, because “they are disillusioned by politics,” Bond said.
Youths also may have become politically apathetic because longtime Hawai‘i Democratic Party members haven’t done enough to make youths feel a part of the political party, and efforts have to be made to change that situation, Bond said.
Staff Writer Lester Chang may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net.
