You can follow the money, but first you might need to book a flight to Honolulu.
Hawaii Island’s state representatives hosted 11 campaign fundraisers that charged at least $25 per person in 2015, with all but one held on Oahu, according to state Campaign Spending Commission records.
Those attending were asked to donate anywhere from $50 to $1,000, according to fundraiser notices filed with the commission. The notices are required if the price or suggested donation of the event exceeds $25.
While the fundraisers don’t account for all campaign events or all financial contributions a candidate receives, the records nonetheless show how common these off-island fundraisers are, even during the legislative session, when four were held.
“Frankly, a lot of people are there,” said Sen. Josh Green, when asked about the Honolulu fundraisers. “They are the lobbyists and the people who are involved.”
If anyone doesn’t need the cash, it’s Green, a Democrat representing Kona and Ka‘u, who has amassed a campaign war chest of $527,956. That is double the amount held by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, who has the second-largest campaign fund with $248,635.
But he still hosted two fundraisers in Honolulu last year, where he asked those attending to contribute $500 each for his next campaign, which won’t occur until 2018.
Green said he continues to host them because he is considering a run for governor or lieutenant governor in two years, which was one of the reasons people chose to attend. He can use the money for a re-election bid or a campaign for statewide office.
According to his campaign finance records, he raised $17,450 between the two fundraisers — at Little Village restaurant and the Pacific Club — from 35 donors. Donors included medical association political action committees, hospital representatives, doctors and lawyers.
Green is an emergency room physician.
Sen. Russell Ruderman also hosted two fundraisers last year, including the only one held in a representative’s district.
On July 31, he hosted an event with a suggested donation of between $50 and $100 at Pahoa’s Akebono Theater.
Ruderman (D-Puna, Ka‘u) also held a fundraiser Jan. 8 at The Mandalay restaurant in Honolulu. The same amount was requested.
The senator, who is up for re-election in 2016, said that fundraiser was his first in the city, though not a very successful one.
“I will say it was pretty much a total flop,” he said. “I think I raised almost zero.”
His campaign finance report shows he received eight donations totaling $1,300 on the day of the Honolulu event. Contributors included Matson and Bank of Hawaii, which each gave $200.
Campaign finance records are current as of June 30.
Hawaii County Councilman Greggor Ilagan, who plans to challenge Ruderman in the Democratic primary, also held a fundraiser in Honolulu last year with some help.
Ilagan said attendees included Senate President Ronald Kouchi, who donated to the campaign and helped bring other people to the event, held Oct. 22 at Vino’s Italian Tapas and Wine Bar. The price or suggested donation was $500.
He declined to disclose how much he raised, or who else was there, saying it will become public after Feb. 1 when campaign finance records are updated.
“I had a fundraiser in Oahu because I wanted to raise money, and I plan some in Puna, too, but I just wanted to kind of get a feel if I can raise money out there and bring it here to Puna,” Ilagan said.
Kouchi became Senate president last year in a leadership shuffle that saw Ruderman lose his chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Ilagan said he reached out to Kouchi, who represents a Kauai district, for his support, as well as others.
“He wanted to support me and I’m more than happy to also support him,” he said.
Rep. Richard Creagan (D-South Kona, Ka‘u), Rep. Richard Onishi (District 3, Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano) and Rep. Nicole Lowen (D-Kailua-Kona) requested donations of either $50, $500 or $1,000 at a fundraiser they had together March 11 at Ferguson’s Irish Pub in Honolulu.
Other lawmakers held events of between $50 and $150 per plate.
Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D-Hilo, Waimea, Waikoloa) was the only isle lawmaker who didn’t hold a fundraiser in 2015. She isn’t up for re-election until 2018.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
2015 campaign fundraisers (House and Senate)
Sen. Gil Kahele (District 1, Hilo)
Date: Jan. 28
Location: The Mandalay restaurant (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $50
Term expires: 2018
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $19,230
Sen. Russell Ruderman (District 2, Puna, Ka‘u)
Date: Jan. 8
Location: The Mandalay restaurant (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $50-$100
Date: July 31
Location: Akebono Theater (Pahoa)
Price or suggested donation: $50-$100
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $5,138
Sen. Josh Green (District 3, Kona, Ka‘u)
Date: Jan. 20
Location: Little Village Restaurant (Honolulu)
Price: $500
Date: May 7
Location: Pacific Club (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $500
Term expires: 2018
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $527,956
Sen. Lorraine Inouye (District 4, Hilo, Waimea, Waikoloa)
No fundraisers in 2015.
Term expires: 2018
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $8,250
Rep. Mark Nakashima (District 1, Hilo, Hamakua)
Date: March 18
Location: The Mandalay restaurant (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $100
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $7,315
Rep. Clift Tsuji (District 2, Hilo)
Date: Oct. 29
Location: The Mandalay restaurant (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $100
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $94,492
Rep. Richard Onishi (District 3, Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano)
Date: March 11
Location: Ferguson’s Irish Pub (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $50
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $16,012
Rep. Joy San Buenaventura (District 4, Puna)
Date: May 6
Location: The Mandalay restaurant (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $50, $100, $250
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $11,941
Rep. Richard Creagan (District 5, South Kona, Ka‘u)
Date: March 11
Location: Ferguson’s Irish Pub (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $50, $500, $1,000
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $5,615
Rep. Nicole Lowen (District 6, Kailua-Kona)
Date: March 11
Location: Ferguson’s Irish Pub (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $50, $500, $1,000
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $11,797
Rep. Cindy Evans (District 7, North Kona, Kohala)
Date: Jan. 20
Location: Cafe Julia (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $100
Date: April 21
Location: Grand Cafe & Bakery (Honolulu)
Price or suggested donation: $100
Term expires: 2016
Campaign cash (as of June 30): $19,484
