Continuing our series on the money in Hawai’i political campaigns, is our look at Maui’s District 12 Representative Kyle Yamashita. We were most surprised at the presence of Rep Yamashita at the Governor’s office last week for the bill signing of our historic pesticide legislation.
Yamashita has notoriously been against all of this movement’s attempts at legislation, going back to the GMO labeling days. This likely explains the donations from GMA (Grocery Manufacturer’s Association lobbyist group fighting labeling) and Kraft Foods. While most legislators have figured out that taking direct donations from the Agri-chemical companies is the kiss of death (and instead take from their lobbyists), Yamashita has no qualms about depositing those Chemical company donations, even taking a $500 check from Monsanto’s headquarters in St. Louis, MO during this current cycle.
As the next (and most comprehensive) look at the Primary Election financial reports isn’t due until July 12, we looked to other sources such asFollowTheMoney.org to give us an overview of Rep Yamashita’s funders over his legislative career. Other information came from the Hawai’i State Campaign Spending Commission reports.
His reports so far for this period show (as usual) that 98.9% of the support behind Yamashita’s campaign comes from outside of his district. Of $18,773 raised so far in this cycle- there is only one $200 donation originating from District 12. $16,125 or 86% came from Oahu.
Alternatively, his opponent Tiare Lawrence has been on the front lines of the fight for sane pesticide regulation in Hawai’i for years. She is running a campaign funded by hard working families of Maui- not corporations. Last election she only lost by 300 something votes. Turn out in the Primary election is crucial, and this race will be decided in the Primary on August 11.
All the information used to create this post can be found at:
FOLLOW THE MONEY:
https://
CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION:
https://csc.hawaii.gov/