Campaign Kickoff – January 13, 2008

The Election in 2008 is about a calling. It is a calling to take notice of where we are today on the Big Island and where we will be in the next ten years. It is a calling to rise up and change our community for the better.

My family and I are here today to answer that calling by announcing my candidacy for the State Senate, Senate District 1, Hilo – Hamakua – Waimea, and to call other men and women in our communities to take notice and vote for change.

For too long many of us have tuned out politics and the political scene. We read about what happens, hear about it, see it on t.v., and we have turned away from what we call “dirty politics.” We have stopped participating and stopped voting.

A generation ago, we had political leaders who worked for all the people.

Today's politicians are only interested in what makes them look good, instead of fighting for the common good.

Today's politicians are captured by special interests, instead of working for the common good.

And Today's politicians feel that the public should serve them instead of them of serving the public.

That same old way of doing things has to change.

Men and women of my generation and those of us who face the future, have been raised to believe that we can make a difference. We know what needs to be done to help change our communities and our State for the better.

With change, I see a future where we can point to our public schools and our students with pride and accomplishment, instead of merely promising to improve our schools every election year.

I see a future where our economy has a strong, broad base, not solely dependent on tourism and where the middle class can thrive.

I see a future where government enables people, their businesses, and their ideas to be successful, instead of holding them down.

I see a future where government listens and responds to you, instead of catering to cronies and special interests.

Our future can wait no longer. Our future depends on change.

On November 4, 2008, I ask the men and women throughout our Island to take notice and heed that call for change.

I humbly ask for the privilege and honor of standing up for you and make that change happen.

My name is Ted Hong, and I am running for State Senate, Hilo-Hamakua-Waimea. Thank you.