Former Campaign Spending Commission Official Tony Baldomero Launches Consulting Firm for Hawaii Politicians
Tony Baldomero, who retired as the associate director of the state Campaign Spending Commission (CSC) in December, has launched his own consulting firm, Hokupaʻa Strategies. His firm aims to assist political candidates in Hawaii with campaign finance compliance, ensuring their expense reports are "true and accurate." Baldomero's expertise, honed over 33 years at the CSC, is now being utilized by paying clients, including state Senate President Ron Kouchi, state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, lieutenant governor candidate Derek Kawakami, state Sen. Kurt Fevella, and Honolulu City Councilman Tommy Waters. Yuki Lei Sugimura, a Maui County Councilwoman running for mayor, has also hired Hokupaʻa Strategies, paying the firm $18,000 for its services leading up to the August 8 primary. This development follows significant campaign finance reform efforts in Hawaii over the past 12 years, intensified by bribery convictions of two top legislators in December 2022 and the subsequent crafting of 31 proposals to combat corrupt... 
