Honolulu council member seeks Republican nod for governor

HONOLULU — Honolulu City Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi said she will run for Hawaii governor.

Tsuneyoshi didn’t say which party’s nomination she would seek in a video posted on Facebook Tuesday. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported she announced she is running as a Republican. Her campaign didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment.

Tsuneyoshi told supporters she’s most concerned about people not being able to stay in Hawaii and leaving the islands. She said she worries whether her two daughters will be able to raise families here.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command program manager Lynn Mariano and business consultant Paul Morgan are also seeking the Republican nomination.

Hawaii’s primary election is scheduled to be held Aug. 13.

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Josh Green has announced his candidacy and former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has indicated he will run. Former first lady Vicky Cayetano, wife of former Gov. Ben Cayetano, has also announced she will seek the Democratic nomination.

U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele has said he was giving “serious thought” to entering the race.

Tsuneyoshi has served in the Honolulu City Council for three years. She has also worked as a state Department of Education behavioral health specialist for high-risk youth. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University.