by Andrew Walden

Rep Joe Souki (D-Wailuku) knows a bum rush when he sees one.   Souki tells the March 3 Maui News: “I go back, way back with Danny. I'm sorry it has come to this.  I'm especially sorry for the pressure that came about, that I think kinda hurried his decision not to seek re-election. For that, I don't think it was very appropriate, a lot of comments that were made - not having enough money and those kinds of things. I think that all led to an early announcement that he had to retire. And for one who served the state so well for all these years, I think it was very unnecessary….  They're probably all jumping for joy right now . . . The field's wide open.” 

As Senator Daniel Akaka’s retirement hit the news yesterday, several avaricious local politicians were quick to come out with statements honoring his years of service embedded with more or less disguised hints about their own lust for his Senate seat.  But but when it comes to raw, naked, ambition Kirk Caldwell went where no man has gone before. 

Speaking to KHON yesterday, Caldwell said not a word about Akaka.  Instead he tractors both Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa into the Senate race, and then transports himself into Congress--CD1 or CD2 no matter—all in one sentence:

"I think the two sitting congresswomen will seriously look at a race for the U.S. Senate, and should they, I will seriously look at running for the U.S. House of Representatives."

This from a fellow who couldn’t figure out how to run for Council and then lost the mayoral race after Mufi gave him command of the enterprise for two months.  Now he says a House seat belongs to him—he just needs to know which one.

Beam me up Scotty, there’s no intelligent life on this planet.

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KHON: Who will be next in the Senate?

VIDEO: LINK