The Hawaii Republican Party Convention was as much a show of solidarity as it was a celebration of Linda Lingle as governor. While staring out into a sea of 50-somethings blissfully dancing to techno music at the convention, one had to ask, why not celebrate? Four years of a Republican governor and no clear Democratic challenger are definitely reasons to party if you’re a member of the state GOP.

However, the underlying story behind the unprecedented accomplishment of the Hawaii Republican Party, mainly through the election of Lingle in 2002, is that it has inspired a new wave of young Republican candidates to stir up the landscape of the State Legislature. For several of these candidates, their seemingly legitimate chance at success is all made possible thanks to the controversy started by their once dominant rivals, the Democrats.

The once infallible Democratic supremacy seemed more like ancient history May 27 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, site of the Republican convention. The scene there was unquestionably jubilant, a celebration of both accomplishment and opportunity. ‘Our main objective has been to get our troops energized and ready and to show the unity of this party,’ said Sam Aiona, chairman of the Republican Party.

Imagine the scenario: The Democratic Party has no formidable candidates lined up for the gubernatorial race. Rep. Ed Case shakes up the party by challenging Sen. Daniel Akaka in the U.S. Senate race. Immediately following Case’s bold move–some might call it a betrayal–a boatload of well-known local Democrats announce that they are going to sign up for the race to fill his seat.

While the Democrats are fighting amongst themselves over who they should put in Congress, they have also allowed the Republicans the chance to step into a wide-open race for a House congressional seat they haven’t held in years. Another reason to celebrate.

‘Anytime you have an open seat, it’s always a good opportunity for us,’ Aiona said.

What has been lost in the mix is that two of the candidates now running for Congress–state Rep. Brian Schatz D-25th (Makiki, Tantalus) and state Sen. Bob Hogue R-24th (Kailua, Kane’ohe)–will have to give up their bids at re-election in the Legislature to run for Case’s soon-to-be-vacant seat. This has provided a very real opportunity for two young Republican candidates to fill those vacant seats.

Tracy Okubo and Keoki Leong (pictured) are running for posts that Schatz and Hogue respectively are leaving. At 27, both are relatively new to the political arena. Leong ran against Rep. Ken Ito in 2004, but he made a good showing despite losing, capturing 43 percent of the votes. Okubo challenged Schatz in 2004 and received 36 percent of the votes.

This time around, things are different. They will not have to worry about campaigning against an entrenched Democratic incumbent. In fact, they have yet to see an established Democrat sign up to run against them at all. Having already thrown their hats in the ring, Okubu and Leong may be able to stay ahead of their future opponents when it comes to a battle over name recognition.

The benefits of having the first Republican governor in 40 years are also starting to pay long-term dividends. A slew of first-time candidates introduced themselves on May 27, most of them confidently pursuing Democratic Party-held legislative seats with a swagger that would have been seen in years past as impractical.

For first-time candidate Minoo Elison, who is running against Democratic incumbent Pono Chong D-49 (Maunawili, Enchanted Lake, Kane’ohe), the optimism and inspiration came from Lingle. Elison said that Lingle’s victory showed Republicans that it is possible to challenge the Democratic majority. ‘She is someone to learn something from,’ Elison said. ‘If she can do it, we can do it.’

Elison joins Jeffrey Alameida and Carol Phillips in District 46 (Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield), Collin Wong in District 28 (Chinatown, Downtown, Kaka’ako) and Nolan Kido in District 18 (East Honolulu) as the new faces of the newly transformed Republican Party.

The GOP hopes that this new era will give them the opportunity to legitimately challenge the Democratic majority and sway traditional Democratic voters to come on over to their side. ‘I think people are more open-minded to Republicans with Lingle in office,’ Okubo said.

So with controversy brewing in the Democratic primary, solidarity has been the focus of Republicans. GOP volunteer Boyd Akase likened Hawai’i’s current political landscape to that of high school football. ‘Look at St. Louis School. Nobody thought the dynasty would ever end,’ he said. ‘Now you look at them, you would have never seen this coming in 1988.’

Akase, a Punahou School alum, also compared Republicans to his alma mater’s team. ‘I would have never thought Punahou would be competing for a championship.’

Looks like it may be time for the rise of the not-so-underdogs.

---