[paudio]

Hirono is among the leftover from Japanese American politicians that dominated the state for half century. While in the past various 'minority' ethnics in Hawaii tended to combine forces and voted Democrats, today they're more diverse political-wise. The influence of Japanese American as a block decreases considerably. The current Democrat Governor/Lt.Gov are both whites.

While Lingle would be seen as RINO by most Freepers, she's seen as a different kind of Republican by many people in the state. They see her as independent person, while Hirono is seen as old-boys' club candidate that would just follow instruction. That Hirono has been in Washington for a while and Lingle has stayed in the state after her tenure as a governor ended only help her case.

[fish hawk]

see my post #24. I live on Maui