Former Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona told the Hawaii Republican Party state convention Saturday (May 18) in Kaneohe that he will not say “yes” or “no” as to whether he will run for office in 2014.

But if he does, he said, the governorship is the only job he’s interested in.

Aiona, who lost badly to Democrat Neil Abercrombie in 2010, said he is enjoying his current life practicing law and teaching fourth graders in Kapolei and government at Chaminade. He and his wife Vivian recently became grandparents.

Aiona said he “honestly” did not know what he would do in terms of running for office next year, suggesting that a congressional race was possible should circumstances present themselves.

But Aiona said many people have approached him to say that they wish they had voted for him rather than Abercrombie, whose record has been mixed and whose popularity is less than stellar.

He also reminded delegates that they belong to the Hawaii Republican Party, not the national party or other state parties. His point: The local GOP should “live the aloha spirit” in order to have greater electoral success.

—Chad Blair