Response from Duke Aiona (Read 10668 times)

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Response from Duke Aiona
« on: October 25, 2010, 07:08:25 PM »
We received a response at Hawaii Concealed Carry today from Duke Aiona. Posted on the front page @ www.hawaiiccw.com
 
 
Aloha Chris,
Mahalo for your message. As a former State judge, Duke Aiona understands the Second Amendment, which allows for the ownership of firearms and he has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution.
To learn more about Duke and Lynn’s stance on a number of issues, we encourage you to visit their website at:
http://aionafinnegan.com/realsolutions
Mahalo and warm aloha,
Team Aiona-Finnegan
 
It's not what I wanted, and it's super dodgy. Not sure they got it.
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2aHawaii

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Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2010, 07:58:56 PM »
Sounds like your standard "I'm running for office and I don't want to piss anyone off" dealy.
I am not a lawyer.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - United States Constitution Amendment 2 & Hawaii State Constitution Article 1 Section 17

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Heavies

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2010, 08:14:25 PM »
I've heard Aiona is luke warm on the issue.  Better than Ambercrumby tho.  :P

Antithesis

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2010, 08:14:57 PM »
That's a shame.  I figured they'd give a better response than that. 
"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
If you wish for peace, prepare for war

Deeeeviant

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2010, 12:17:09 AM »
Seems like your typical response, they teeter toter on the edge, so their reasoning for their actions can go either way.

Though compared to his competition (Abercrombie) it's better then nothing I guess.

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Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2010, 07:53:48 AM »
This is from pastordennis who PM'd me by accident :D and asked me to repost it here.

To whom it may concern,
when duke was first thinking of running I personally asked him questions on the 2nd amendment. Duke does NOT support concealed carry but does support the 2nd amendment strongly. As for Lynn>>>> she is for concealed carry here but we couldnt discuss it in detail because of time restraints. Lynn is a fierce constitutional type person. She personally didnt think she would carry but would not object we the people from doing so is what I gathered from our conversation. Hang in there guys. If we elect different people in office, our chance of carrying is very good. My senior Pastor thinks Im nuts. Calls me a non-conformist, whatever the heck that is. I believe we can be people of God AND carry a gun at the same time. Not one or the other. Amen to that !!!!!!

Keep the faith,
Pastor Dennis
« Last Edit: October 26, 2010, 08:02:42 AM by 2aHawaii »
I am not a lawyer.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - United States Constitution Amendment 2 & Hawaii State Constitution Article 1 Section 17

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tuor

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2010, 08:06:17 AM »
That's good to hear about Lynn.  I just mailed my ballot in today. 
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Heavies

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2010, 09:08:52 AM »
I think Lynn will be good for our state! We need more strong Constitutional conservatives in office if we ever wish to get our rights to self protection restored.

HiCarry

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2010, 09:15:46 AM »
Finnegan is indeed for concealed carry...Duke is not in favor, at this time, but is willing to listen to us and I believe, is open to changing his mind. That willingness to change is, again, in my assessment, a real openness and not just a political ploy....either way, a much better choice than Abercrombie!

Alex Europa

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2010, 10:51:23 PM »
This is from pastordennis who PM'd me by accident :D and asked me to repost it here.

To whom it may concern,
when duke was first thinking of running I personally asked him questions on the 2nd amendment. Duke does NOT support concealed carry but does support the 2nd amendment strongly. As for Lynn>>>> she is for concealed carry here but we couldnt discuss it in detail because of time restraints. Lynn is a fierce constitutional type person. She personally didnt think she would carry but would not object we the people from doing so is what I gathered from our conversation. Hang in there guys. If we elect different people in office, our chance of carrying is very good. My senior Pastor thinks Im nuts. Calls me a non-conformist, whatever the heck that is. I believe we can be people of God AND carry a gun at the same time. Not one or the other. Amen to that !!!!!!

Keep the faith,
Pastor Dennis

Sorry, but I've never understood this stance. "the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Seems pretty dang straight-forward to me, and for those who were confused, the Supreme Court even clarified it through Heller and McDonald. How can anyone claim to support the 2nd Amendment yet not support some version of carry?

Edit to add: I contacted the Aiona/Finnegan staff with this question and asked about it on their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duke-Aiona-for-Governor-2010/55664856526?v=wall). I doubt I'll get a response in such a public forum, but it's worth a shot.

- Alex
« Last Edit: October 26, 2010, 11:02:32 PM by Alex Europa »
Americans don't retreat...they reload!

"It's just natural to want to shoot someone when you don't agree with them" - Joan Peterson, Million Mom March Chapters’ national representative to the Board of Directors of the Brady Campaign

Alex Europa

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2010, 11:10:41 PM »
We received a response at Hawaii Concealed Carry today from Duke Aiona. Posted on the front page @ www.hawaiiccw.com
 
 
Aloha Chris,
Mahalo for your message. As a former State judge, Duke Aiona understands the Second Amendment, which allows for the ownership of firearms and he has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution.
To learn more about Duke and Lynn’s stance on a number of issues, we encourage you to visit their website at:http://aionafinnegan.com/realsolutions
Mahalo and warm aloha,Team Aiona-Finnegan It's not what I wanted, and it's super dodgy. Not sure they got it.

You know, it's funny...I just read the link provided to Chris from the Aiona/Finnegan campaign and there is NOTHING in there discussing 2A issues. Not that I'm at all surprised, it's not exactly a hot-ticket item to the mainstream voter; however I still find it funny that they pointed him towards that link after giving such a vague, politically correct, BS answer.

Maybe I'll run as a last-minute write-in candidate...sheesh!  :(

- Alex
Americans don't retreat...they reload!

"It's just natural to want to shoot someone when you don't agree with them" - Joan Peterson, Million Mom March Chapters’ national representative to the Board of Directors of the Brady Campaign

Deeeeviant

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2010, 10:38:33 AM »
They probably didn't include in their "agenda" since it's not a politically hot topic here like you mentioned. Though I'm sure if we lived in say Florida, Texas, etc. the politicians there will put it at the top of their agenda.

vooduchikn

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2010, 01:56:21 PM »
They probably didn't include in their "agenda" since it's not a politically hot topic here like you mentioned. Though I'm sure if we lived in say Florida, Texas, etc. the politicians there will put it at the top of their agenda.

It used to be a big topic in Texas. I don't hear my relatives (all pro 2a and carriers) complaining about the candidates or worrying about loss or infrigement of thier rights. I mainly hear them bitching about big government "the Prez" and how screwed we will all be on upcoming taxes.
Relax, I've banned myself..

Alex Europa

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2010, 08:47:33 PM »
Two updates:

1) I pushed a bit harder on Aiona's FB page to try to get a public response from Duke on the issue of 2A rights. I'm not holding my breath on that one...It sure would be interesting if a few others would chime in as well... :thumbsup:


2)
In response to my email, I received a similar cookie-cutter response to the one posted in the OP.


Quote
Aloha Alex,
 
Mahalo for your  message. As a former State judge, Duke  Aiona understands the Second Amendment, which allows for the  ownership of firearms and he has sworn an oath to uphold the  Constitution. He is also open to further discussions regarding open  and conceal issues.
To learn more  about Duke and Lynn’s stance on a number of issues, we encourage  you to visit their website at:
http://aionafinnegan.com/realsolutions[/url][/u]
 
Mahalo and warm  aloha,
Team  Aiona-Finnegan

Here is my response:

Quote
Aloha,
 
    Thank you for the response. However, I was hoping for a more precise   answer to this very important issue. My concern is that the both the   Constitution of the United States of America and the Hawaii State   Constitution are explicitly clear in regards to our God-given Right to   bear arms, yet Mr. Aiona is not an advocate for any version of carry for   the purpose of self defense.
 
     I am truly hoping that Mr. Aiona is willing to further explain his   position to not fully support either open or concealed carry at this   time. As stated in the previous email, Mr. Aiona "has sworn an oath to   uphold the Constitution," in which case, he has no option but to support   the recent SCOTUS decisions and implement a "shall issue" carry program   immediately upon his election as our next Governor. After all, as   Article I, Section 17 of the Hawaii Constitution tells us,"the right of the people to keep and           bear arms shall not be infringed." The current "may issue"   program has only approved 3 concealed carry permits to private citizens   since 2001; this is a clear demonstration that the current policies are,   indeed, infringing on our God-given Right.
 
     One final thought: I find it extremely disconcerting that we, the   citizens, are expected to TRUST our elected officials to do the right   thing when deciding on countless issues that truly affect the lives of   everyone around them, yet those same elected officials clearly do not   TRUST their constituents enough to allow them to properly defend   themselves and their loved ones. When one does not give trust or   respect, he can not expect either in return.
 
  Again, thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
 
  Sincerely,
  Alex Europa

I'm curious to see what the next reply will say since they certainly can't use the cookie-cutter reply again...

Any guesses?  :popcorn:

- Alex
Americans don't retreat...they reload!

"It's just natural to want to shoot someone when you don't agree with them" - Joan Peterson, Million Mom March Chapters’ national representative to the Board of Directors of the Brady Campaign

Deeeeviant

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2010, 08:37:23 AM »
They might not reply at all?  :shake:

Alex Europa

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #15 on: October 28, 2010, 03:35:28 PM »
They did...kinda.

Quote
Aloha Alex,

Mahalo for your follow-up message. We have forwarded your concerns to our political director at keoki@dukeaiona.com.

Mahalo and warm aloha
Team Aiona-Finnegan

I will pass on their response once I get it. On a side note, I'm very impressed by the speed of their responses.

- Alex
Americans don't retreat...they reload!

"It's just natural to want to shoot someone when you don't agree with them" - Joan Peterson, Million Mom March Chapters’ national representative to the Board of Directors of the Brady Campaign

HiCarry

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #16 on: October 28, 2010, 04:49:12 PM »
For those of you concerned with the "vague" or "canned" response from Aiona's campaign about your inquiries on his stance on open or concealed carry. I understand your concern and appreciate you wanting to know where he stands prior to voting or supporting him. But, with that being said, let me suggest that we all take a deep breath and look at some other factors to consider.
 
First, what are our choices? Duke or Abercrombie. We all know Abercrombie is anti-gun and would use whatever opportunity that presents itself to further restrict our rights in this area. Duke, on the other hand has already stated he supports firearms rights as a general premise and would be open to further discussions about the issue. Now, I don't know about you, but I would much rather have someone who tells me they are open to the idea of discussing firearms rights than someone who either tells me owning/having/using them isn't an individual right or that he supports firearms rights when we all know he doesn't.
 
Second, it is late in the campaign. Issues have been researched and positions defined. I doubt any politician is going to stray far from the talking points they have developed in the course of their campaign. So, while I know you all what answers, and you want them right now, getting upset or calling a politician unresponsive at this point is really a waste of energy. I don't mean that in a condesending way, just that there is likely little "return on your investment" at this point if you keep asking that question.
 
Third, and final point is that I have had some contact with the Aiona campaign. And, while I am familar enough with politics to know that all promises are suspect, I am confident that when elected Duke will do as he says. He'll sit down and talk to "us" and if we do it wisely, we just may be able to sway him if he hasn't already been swayed by his running mate or his staffers.. Will he change his mind? I don't know and I cannot make any guarantees. But, I can guarantee that between the two candidates only one has said he's willing to talk to us about changing his position, and it isn't Abercrombie.
 
So, if I can be so bold as to make a recommendation: If you want to "do something" this election, work to get Duke elected. At least we can work with him and his staff, some of which are staunch Second Amendment and concealed carry supporters. It really is our best bet.
 
Thanks for listening.

Alex Europa

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #17 on: October 28, 2010, 05:10:39 PM »
I understand what you're saying. To me this isn't about supporting him...as you said, he is a far better choice than Abercrombie. I consider this more of a greasing the skids type of exercise. However, with the current tide in America, the people are looking for candidates who are willing to be completely honest and forthright, especially when it relates to Constitutional issues.

Your point is well taken regarding "doing something" in regards to getting Duke elected, I will be contacting his campaign people to volunteer some time this weekend.

- Alex
Americans don't retreat...they reload!

"It's just natural to want to shoot someone when you don't agree with them" - Joan Peterson, Million Mom March Chapters’ national representative to the Board of Directors of the Brady Campaign

HiCarry

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #18 on: October 28, 2010, 07:14:27 PM »
I understand what you're saying. To me this isn't about supporting him...as you said, he is a far better choice than Abercrombie. I consider this more of a greasing the skids type of exercise. However, with the current tide in America, the people are looking for candidates who are willing to be completely honest and forthright, especially when it relates to Constitutional issues.

Your point is well taken regarding "doing something" in regards to getting Duke elected, I will be contacting his campaign people to volunteer some time this weekend.

- Alex

I understand the "greasning the skids" concept and am working on that as well....As I said, I offer no guarantees, this is politics after all. Thanks for your help and support.

Deeeeviant

Re: Response from Duke Aiona
« Reply #19 on: October 28, 2010, 07:27:26 PM »
I agree w/ you HiCarry. My vote goes for Aiona regardless as he's our best "overall package" so to speak compared to his competition.

As far as what they have to say on the matter, you're also right. It's to far into the campaign to start changing/adding what they have already built upon. In the least bit at least we have the satisfaction of knowing that he's going in w/ an open mind rather then a completely closed mind.