Other likely candidates for the District 9 seat include former Councilman Leningrad Elarionoff, Margaret Wille and William Sanborn. Candidates may officially file their nomination papers beginning Feb. 1. BY ERIN MILLER ADVERTISING WEST HAWAII TODAY emiller@westhawaiitoday.com A North Hawaii pastor
BY ERIN MILLER
WEST HAWAII TODAY
emiller@westhawaiitoday.com
A North Hawaii pastor says he will be running for County Council in District 9.
Oliver “Sonny” Shimaoka, a pastor and longtime Big Island resident, said he has considered seeking political office for years, after growing concerned about increasing divisiveness in Hawaii County.
“There doesn’t seem to be any kind of continuity or solidarity, harmony or collaboration,” Shimaoka said Friday. “I’d like to build some kind of cohesiveness, not us versus them.”
County Council members should represent the entire island, not just one district, in their actions, he said. As in Hawaiian culture, when residents of one district would pool their resources to help residents of another district during hard times, Shimaoka said he wants to see county residents helping each other in times of need.
“I don’t know if that’s idealistic thinking,” he said.
District 9 includes Waimea, Kohala and Waikoloa.
He said he plans to limit his activities as pastor of New Hope Waimea Christian Fellowship during his campaign and his term in office if elected. His congregation supports his decision to run for office, he said.
Shimaoka and his wife, Sharon, have four children and six grandchildren. He said he was born and raised in Hilo and Keaukaha, spent 20 years living in Kona and now lives in Waimea.
Other likely candidates for the District 9 seat include former Councilman Leningrad Elarionoff, Margaret Wille and William Sanborn. Candidates may officially file their nomination papers beginning Feb. 1.
