Attendees attracted by anti-war, peace views
Originally published in the Maui News
Attendees attracted by anti-war, peace views
By MELISSA TANJI, Staff Writer
KAHULUI - Maui residents who attended Sunday events with Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich say they are attracted to his peace platform, including his opposition to the war in Iraq and his advocacy of a new Department of Peace.
Wailuku resident Bambi Kokko said she hasn't seen a political candidate working so much for peace since the 1960s.
"I just admire this man so much," said the 65-year-old retired scuba instructor.
Kucinich is among a small group of U.S. House members to oppose the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq to dispose of Saddam Hussein. He also opposes the continued U.S. military presence in the country.
"He's on a peace platform," said 17-year-old Jana Pierce-van Loon of Kihei.
Pierce-van Loon will be old enough to vote next year.
"I want this world to change," she said.
Pierce-van Loon, who wore a T-shirt with George W. Bush's picture crossed off with a red "X," said Bush is destroying the economy and women's rights.
"America is going to hell . . if we don't do something soon," she said.
Both women were among at least 250 people who attended a town meeting Sunday morning at Maui Community College's student lounge.
At noon, Kucinich spoke at a fund-raiser luncheon for his campaign at the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu. At least 100 people attended the event.
Before the luncheon started, Kucinich told The Maui News: "I'm very excited to be here. I feel right at home."
Kucinich wore a lei and held a bouquet of anthuriums in one hand. He also received hugs and kisses from supporters.
Kucinich said Maui is a beautiful place and quoted poet John Keats, saying "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
"Maui's a joy forever," Kucinich said.
Kucinich said he thinks the people of Hawaii relate to his platform of serenity and peace because islanders live in such a beautiful environment and want to preserve the state's natural beauty.
At the luncheon, those in attendance also praised his peace efforts.
Maydeen Iao, who admitted she rarely attends political functions, said she came to listen to Kucinich.
"He's for peace and no war," she said.
The 50-year-old Wailuku resident, who came to the lunch with friends, said she doesn't have a political party.
"I'm a people supporter. I don't pick parties," she said.
Members of the Harris family of Kihei said they liked Kucinich's idea of a Cabinet-level Department of Peace, a department that would apply the principles of nonviolence to combat domestic and child abuse and violence against racial minorities, gays and lesbians.
While many at the luncheon said they were there to listen to Kucinich's platform, some at the town meeting seemed to already have Kucinich marked as their choice for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Shay Chan Hodges, who attended the meeting at MCC, said: "There are still people who haven't heard about him. That's because of the media."
The 40-year-old grant writer from Haiku said she likes how Kucinich expresses his true thoughts and is not like other candidates who say things because they are popular.
"It's such a breath of fresh air," she said.
Chan Hodges acknowledged Kucinich has been projected as a long shot candidate for president but said things that people never expected to happen have happened, such as the breaking down of the Berlin Wall.
"It's possible," she said. "You got to stand up to what you believe in."
Kahului resident Jerold Suarez said he came to the town meeting to see what Kucinich had to say and liked the liberalism that he had heard.
"He's got it," Suarez said.
The 52-year-old laboratory technician said it's too early to say Kucinich's has no chance.
"It's an evolving process, you can't just go with what the media thinks his chances are," he said.
Maui County Democratic Party Chairman Jonathan Starr said: "I think he's got a good chance in Hawaii."
Starr said Kucinich has received a "groundswell of grassroots support" from the state.
He said Hawaii is important in this presidential primary election because it will hold its Democratic presidential precinct meetings on Feb. 24, which is earlier than other larger states.
Hawaii previously held its caucus after the candidate was already determined, he said. Now the national spotlight can be on Hawaii.
Starr said those with Democratic views and those wanting to become Democrats are welcome to come to the precinct elections. He said Democrats have become more open now.
Starr said Kucinich is a "true Democrat."
"He's an embodiment of the clarity of beliefs that John F. Kennedy wrote about in the Pulitzer Prize winner 'Profiles in Courage.' "
Although Starr was at both the meeting and fund-raiser, Maui's top Democratic leaders did not attend the events.
Some Kucinich supporters said that Democrats have ignored Kucinich.
Haiku resident Claire Reutter said she was curious why Kucinich is running under the Democratic party and not the Green Party. Reutter said she voted for Ralph Nader in the last presidential election. He was a Green Party candidate.
Kucinich has drawn support from Nader and Green Party supporters. On the Kucinich Web site, the candidate indicated that while he supports much of the Green Party program, he's a Democrat.
"I am in the party to which millions of working people, minorities, environmentalists and people who want a just America owe their loyalty. I want to build a Democratic Party that deserves the loyalty of these groups."
While the gatherings drew several hundred, there was an absence of locals and minorities, some supporters noted.
Lahaina resident Iris Ladera said: "I feel like I'm the only brown person here. (But) That's OK."
Ladera, who is Mexican-American, said she feels Kucinich is "a good guy" and came to the luncheon to hear more.
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