KAHULUI - Maui Democrats continued to wrangle over the balance between union and progressive branches of the party at the Maui County Democratic Convention, but members said they had no problem setting aside any differences to focus on their real goal: getting a Democrat elected governor.
"Anything else here today was just a diversion from our real focus, to get organized, stand united and elect a Democrat," said Maui County Democratic Party Chairman Lance Holter.
After eight years in office, Republican Gov. Linda Lingle must step down at the end of 2010 because of term limits, and to Democrats, the office is the prize. State Sen. Roz Baker (D-West Maui-South Maui) said it's also important to keep the Democratic supermajority alive and healthy in the Legislature.
But disagreements over the election of party precinct officers stalled the convention at Lihikai Elementary School before the day's keynote speakers got a chance to rally the troops.
People fanned themselves with potluck plates, party officials shouted at times for order, and more than a dozen candidates for county and state offices worked the crowd and tried to impress or at least leave an impression.
County conventions were also held Saturday on the Big Island and Oahu. Kauai's was last month.
"This is democracy in action," said state Party Chairman Dante Carpenter. "Let me clarify - not one word, two words: 'in action.'"
After more than three hours of debate, the entire list of 24 precinct officers was approved.
Also on Saturday, party members elected Jonathan Starr and Stephanie Ohigashi to the state Central Committee to represent Maui County Democrats during the state convention May 28-30 in Waikiki.
In a joint effort between union and progressive perspectives, the local party also voted to oppose the World Trade Organization, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Central American Free Trade Agreement for undermining American manufacturing and promoting slave labor.
At the state convention, Democrats will decide on a statewide party platform and choose executive board members, but will not endorse candidates.
The party's leading contenders for the governor's race so far are former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who has not formally announced his campaign, but is widely considered to be a candidate.
The winner will likely meet Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona in the general election.
The dispute over the selection of party precinct officers Saturday appeared to stem from the perception that nominees may have favored Abercrombie or Hannemann's camps.
Baker and fellow convention speaker Amy Agbayani, a well-known Hawaii civil rights advocate, focused on unity and stressed that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion and diversity.
"It's so exciting to see that we can have our disputes and our disagreements, and we can still see our focus on the ultimate prize: governor," Baker said.
Baker said she absolutely does not want to endure one more term of Republican leadership. She said Democrats need to throw themselves into this gubernatorial campaign, get more people in the party and make sure current members actually vote.
"We need all of the active Democrats that we can get," Baker said. "That's the only way we will win."
She also urged Maui Democrats to call friends and family on Oahu and urge them to vote against Republican Charles Djou, who is facing Democrats Colleen Hanabusa and Ed Case for Abercrombie's former seat in Congress.
Both Carpenter and Starr said the Democratic Party is a big tent, so different ideas and positions are bound to collide.
"I think by nature Democrats tend to be contentious," Starr said. "This is a good thing. It gives us a chance to air out the issues, and it actually makes people feel more involved in the process. It's part of the fun."
* Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton@mauinews.com.
