text: Numerous Democrats presently holding public office at the legislature and the City were once Republicans. Some of us are old enough to remember when most Republicans were reasonable. We Democrats could build coalitions with centrist Republicans. Then George W, Bush sat Pat Robertson at the Presidential table in the White House and brought those of similar mind into his administration. Robertson, a man who stated on national TV that Ariel Sharon deserved the stroke that put him in a coma. Then Hawaii Republicans nominated Duke Aiona, a man who has membership in questionable international organizations, This in a religiously diverse state with many Buddhists and progressive mainline Christians. Anyone who studies the history of this state will immediately understand why the majority of voters continue to vote for Democrats feathering their own nests. The majority of Republican leaders in Hawaii have done nothing to assuage their tarnished brand.