New Hope pastor running for lieutenant governor

HONOLULU (AP) - A New Hope pastor has announced he will seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

Elwin Ahu said he’s motivated by what he sees as the erosion of respect for the state Constitution. He said government leaders are no longer grateful for divine guidance or mindful of Hawaiian heritage.

The 59-year-old is disappointed with how the state Legislature handled gay marriage during the special session last fall, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser (https://bit.ly/1gHFY3L) reported Friday. Ahu was among the pastors who helped organize opposition to the gay marriage bill.

“I look at the Constitution as something that is foundational for our state. The heart and spirit behind it has kind of been lost by our leaders today, mainly the fairness and the honesty,” said Ahu.

“I’ve waited on the sidelines for a long time just watching all of this stuff unfold. And I thought, you know, I think it’s time that I step into this.”

Ahu served as an attorney and state judge before becoming executive pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in 1999. He’s now senior pastor of New Hope Metro, a central Honolulu location of the New Hope church.

Ahu has never held political office. His sister, Lei Ahu Isa, is a former state lawmaker and school board member.

The Nuuanu resident graduated from Kamehameha Schools, Graceland University in Iowa and the University of Hawaii at Manoa law school.

Ahu is friends with former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona, the likely Republican candidate for governor.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state Sen. David Ige are contending in the Democratic primary for governor. Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui is running in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, https://www.staradvertiser.com