One of many ironies here is that the repuke party hustled Aiona onto the ticket to avoid a repeat of 1998, when LG candidate Stan Koki's obdurate fundamentalism is widely believed to have cost them the election.
http://starbulletin.com/2005/06/27/news/index3.htmlAiona recently wrote a letter on Transformation Hawaii letterhead endorsing the Christian business group and a rally held at the Waikiki Shell. Aiona also served as honorary chairman of the event. In an earlier rally, he told the group that "Hawaii belongs to Jesus."...
"I was born a Catholic. I was baptized a Catholic. I have been a Catholic my whole life, so my religion has not changed since I was born," Aiona said. (Note: Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who is Mormon, attended this essentially fundamentalist "Transformation" rally as well. Hmmmm. -Ed.)
Some observers expressed concern that note Aiona's strong Christian faith will color his government decisions. "As for his ardent Christian beliefs, pretty obvious that he is an evangelical Christian who has a tough time separating church and state. This hurts him," said former Gov. Ben Cayetano....
"I can't help but wonder, too, if our governor is down there also affirming that Hawaii belongs to Jesus. That kind of participation and affirmation might surprise her rabbi just a little," (Episcopal Rev. Elizabeth)
Zivanov said.:rofl:
The last time religion imposed itself on politics in Hawai'i, we nearly lost the Hawaiian culture, which the missionaries thought "barbaric" and "lascivious". "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it"...