Schatz chosen over Hanabusa to replace Inouye

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, who is expected to be sworn in today as the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's successor, said Wednesday that he understands the magnitude of the appointment and promised the islands: "I won't let you down."

Gov. Neil Abercrombie selected Schatz on Wednesday over U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who was Inouye's choice as his successor, and Esther Kia‘aina, the deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Inouye, before he died Dec. 17 at 88 of respiratory complications, had asked Abercrombie in a letter to grant him his "last wish" by naming Hanabusa, 61, who represents urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District. The letter was hand-delivered to the governor by Walter Dods, a retired banker, and Jeffrey Watanabe, a retired attorney and chairman of Hawaiian Electric Industries, two of the senator's closest confidants.

Several Democrats said privately that Abercrombie's decision could cause a schism within the party that could lead to a serious primary challenge to the governor or to Schatz.

Abercrombie is up for re-election in 2014. Schatz will serve until voters in 2014 elect a senator to fill out the remainder of Inouye's six-year term, which runs through 2016.

"Senator Inouye conveyed his final wish to Governor Abercrombie. While we are very disappointed that it was not honored, it was the governor's decision to make. We wish Brian Schatz the best of luck," Jennifer Sabas, Inouye's chief of staff, said in a statement.

Abercrombie said that Inouye's wishes were taken into account.

"The law makes explicitly clear, as does the rules of the Democratic Party, that while everyone's voice is heard, and everyone's view is taken into account, nonetheless, no one and nothing is preordained," he said.

The governor said Schatz's ability to build seniority in the Senate was a factor in his decision, as was the fact that a Hanabusa appointment would have triggered a winner-take-all special election that could have left the 1st District in Republican control. He also said that he took into consideration Hanabusa's post on the House Armed Services Committee, which is important because of the state's large military presence.

Asked afterward whether he may have ignited a civil war within the party, Abercrombie said: "If it is an issue for anybody, then I suggest they can take that to the people and present that as an argument. But I think, with regard to 2014, my view is that will take care of itself. My responsibility is to do the right thing by what is in the interest of the party, the state and the country as a whole."

Schatz said he has good relationships with Inouye's staff and would work toward a smooth transition.

Schatz said his priorities would be to continue to identify federal money for Hawaii, a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill, and strategies to respond to global climate change.

"To the people of Hawaii, I can assure you this: I will give every fiber of my being to doing a good job for the state of Hawaii," Schatz said. "We have a long and perhaps difficult road ahead of us, but we can succeed if we work together. I understand the magnitude of this obligation and this honor. And I won't let you down."