Solomon: I Have ‘Nothing to Gain or Lose’ in Redistricting
There’s been a lot of controversy over the decision to count non-resident military and others in Hawaii’s population base when redrawing the state’s political districts.
Big Island Sen. Malama Solomon last week spoke up against the Reapportionment Commission’s decision, asking the panel to reconsider.
In a letter to the group, she said: “I believe this decision is not about our friends in the Military, but about retaining a Senate seat for Oahu, which in turn denies the residents of the fastest growing districts of our state on Hawaii Island the right to a 4th Senator.”
To her point, adding approximately 70,000 active-duty military as “residents” would likely cost the Big Island a Senate seat it would otherwise gain due to population growth since 2001, the last time redistricting happened.
Solomon wrote:
“Please note that while I am the current District 1 State Senator, appointed to the position by the Governor, I have nothing to gain or lose. I am speaking up solely because my constituents expect me to protect their rights — and not succumb to the tremendous vortex of power concentrated in Honolulu.”
Is Solomon accurate in that she has “nothing to gain or lose” if the Big Island gains more representation at the Legislature?
Solomon was appointed to represent Senate District 1 in December 2010 by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill a vacancy. She previously served in the state Senate for 16 years from 1982 to 1998. That year, she lost reelection to former Big Island Mayor Lorraine Inouye.
Solomon’s term, as well as all other 75 seats in the Hawaii House and Senate, are up in 2012.
Inouye told Civil Beat she plans to run next year for the seat Solomon currently occupies: District 1 representing Waimea to Waiakea.
“I’m pretty much 90 percent sure. At this point, I think I will run,” Inouye told Civil Beat. “Whether we get the additional seat is — that hasn’t crossed my mind. I was planning to run anyway.” Inouye served on the Hawaii County Council from 1984-1990 and as Big Island mayor from 1990-1992 before getting into the Legislature.
With Inouye as a challenger, Solomon does have something to gain or lose — her job.
The Reapportionment Commission’s work redrawing of Hawaii’s political boundaries could work for or against Solomon.
Currently, Solomon and Inouye live in the same district — Solomon lives in Waimea and Inouye lives just outside of Hilo.
An additional fourth seat for the Big Island could result in Solomon and Inouye living in different districts.
And even if the reapportionment commission decides to maintain three Big Island senate seats, the districts could be redrawn in a way that puts the two into different districts. The answer won’t be clear until the Reapportionment Commission finalizes new boundaries.
But unless Solomon won’t be running for reelection — she could not be reached for comment Friday — then her “nothing to gain or lose” statement isn’t wholly accurate.
