Hawaii Capitol Leaders Raise Little Money, Cover Routine Expenses

Leadership at the Hawaii Legislature didn't raise impressive amounts of cash in the second half of 2011, but the latest campaign finance reports reveal some special interests behind what campaign coffers they have built.

Of the nearly three dozen legislative committee chairs, Senate Judiciary and Labor Chairman Clayton Hee raised the most money during the six-month filing period ended Dec. 31. Hee pulled in $68,800 in contributions, bringing his total for the election cycle to $228,375. Hee had been eyeing the Honolulu mayoral race but recently decided against running for that seat.

Hee trumped the chairmen of the powerful legislative money committees who raised and spent modest amounts. Sen. David Ige, who heads Ways and Means, raised $22,149 for the period, while House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro pulled in $14,609.

(Read a related story about House Speaker Calvin Say and Senate President Shan Tsutsui's campaign finances.)

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