Vulnerable Senate seat. I met Senator Akaka this summer and...

[MyUncle]

...I am very sorry to say this, but he is just not all there. If I did not know who he was and bumped into him in the line at Foodland, I'd be checking to see if someone was watching out for him.

Again, sorry to say this, but if he is unable to fulfill his term in office, doesn't the Republican Governor Lingle get to appoint his replacement for the duration of his term?

Under those circumstances, I do not blame Ed Case for running. I am a realist. Forget about defeating the Republican Lingle, it is not going to happen this time. From that assumption, the options get a lot narrower.

Ed Case, unless Neil Abercrombie runs as well, is a very good bet to win and hold this Senate seat for the Democrats.

[WhereThereIsFire]

1. Haven't lived in HI since 1991 but ...

I hate to hear this about Dan Akaka. I keep a photo of me shaking hands with Ted Kennedy (remember the year he ran for President & visted Honolulu?) with lots of Akaka signs in background ... it was on front page of the Star-Bulletin, over my desk. Also, my ex-father-in-law served in the same military unit (brigade, whatever ... 442nd??) as Dan. So, I've had lots of respect for him over the years.

I do like Neil Abercrombie. Is Nephi Hanneman (sp) still active in politics out there? I'm seriously out of touch with Hawaii politics.

[MyUncle]

2. Mufi Hanneman is now the Mayor of Honolulu.

[WhereThereIsFire]

3. How's he doing?

I'm assuming he is a Democrat ... but can't always take these things for granted. I remember he once generously came to my class (in Education Dept) at UH-Manoa (I was a student) to talk about politics and education. I was the fortunate one who got to place a lei around his neck.

[KamaAina]

6. I even heard a rumor that Mufi would run for Case's seat

in Congress. The S-B mentioned that his erstwhile opponent, Duke Bainum, might also. That's how crazy it's been out here all day.

[MyUncle]

7. So Mufi and Duke square off for Congress?

Mufi (R) Duke (D)???

[WhereThereIsFire]

4. For that matter ... what ever happened to Frank Fasi?

He who switched parties repeatedly but ... always attended our Neighborhood Board meetings and always seemed to listen to what we were saying.

[MyUncle]

5. Fasi ran for Mayor again and lost to Mufi.

Here are some links so you can keep up with all the action.

http://www.starbulletin.com
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com
http://honoluluweekly.com/