Democratic Party elects new officers

When it’s not an election year, only the most faithful of the party faithful show up for the convention, as was the case Saturday when the Hawaii County Democratic Party held its annual event.

Almost 100 people showed up at the Honokaa Intermediate and High School cafeteria for a day that saw the election of new officers and a series of educational sessions centered around transportation, environment, disaster response, agriculture and energy. Last year’s convention drew easily twice that. Hilo resident Phil Barnes, who moved to Hawaii in 1998 after cutting his political teeth leading the political action committee in Alaska for the National Education Association, was elected chairman. One of Barnes’ priorities is to bring younger members into the county party.

Noting that more than half of the Democrats in Hawaii County are 62 years old and older, Barnes quipped that demographic would be of interest “only to funeral parlors.” He praised the Young Democrats who have begun taking increasing roles in party politics in the state.

Barnes also wants to increase videoconferencing in the party, especially to give neighbor island Democrats more access to statewide meetings.

And, he wants to make conventions and rallies more interesting.

“When you go to a convention, it shouldn’t be boring,” Barnes said. “It ought to be fun.”

Barnes takes over from David Tarnas, who led the county party over the past two years, including shepherding area Democrats over a contentious special election to replace former state Rep. Denny Coffman. The special election for the District 5 state representative bogged down amid allegations of backroom dealing and exclusion.

Tarnas, pledging transparency, was able to get local party rules formulated and passed to ensure the selection of three nominees to send to the governor when there is a vacancy in a state office is conducted in a democratic and open process. He said the state Democratic Party embraced the county rules when creating guidance.

“This party takes action,” Tarnas said. “This party takes action when we realize we have flaws.”