The 2010 campaign has begun! The issues and challenges facing Hawaii this year make it more important than ever that we elect candidates of character, intelligence, and empathy.

Many of our fellow citizens of Hawaii are hurting from the economic crisis caused by eight years of Bush/Cheney policies and exacerbated by eight years of Lingle/Aiona do-nothing cynicism. If the last two years have taught us anything, it is that Lingle and Aiona have no solutions. They have no original ideas.

The national Republican Party has decided to stand in the way of all progress. If they can prevent President Obama from implementing the change we voted for in 2008, then maybe they can pick up seats in 2010.

In Hawaii, Lingle is following the same obstructionist tactics. The Board of Education and HSTA come to an agreement to get students back in class, and Lingle quashes the agreement. The rail system is on track to begin construction and Lingle decides they need to go back to the drawing board. The last two years of the Lingle/Aiona administration have been roadblock stacked upon roadblock.

It is time for a change. We need a governor who will work for all the people of Hawaii, not the special interests that fund the Republican Party. Let's work together for change in 2010!