MARIJUANA ADVOCATE, COMEDIAN USE PARTY TO GET ONTO BALLOT

HONOLULU (AP) -- The chairwoman of Hawaii's Natural Law Party is concerned
about the two candidates the party has running for its gubernatorial
nomination. One is a marijuana advocate and the other a performing comedian.

Both marijuana advocate Jonathan Adler of the Big Island and local comedian
Kaui Hill -- a Maui resident who performs as Bu La'ia -- have their own
agendas, says Laurie Clegg.

''We have two candidates running this time that don't support our
platform,'' she said, accusing Adler and Hill of using the party just to get
on the November ballot. ''It's very disappointing for us because our party
has very high ideals.''

The party has been trying to build a nationwide coalition of independent
voters, with chapters in every state. Its platform includes a 50-point
action plan to bring the government and the nation into accord with
scientific laws displayed throughout nature.

Adler and Kaui will face each other in the Sept. 21 primary. Both were
rejected as gubernatorial candidates by the Green Party.

Clegg said party leaders tried to get Adler and Hill not to run under the
party banner.

While the party agrees with Adler's central position of wanting to
decriminalize marijuana, she said it disagrees with Adler's view of the
issue as key to a better world.

''In fact, we feel it's damaging to the brain,'' she said.

Adler said he's seeking the Natural Law Party nomination because its beliefs
can be shaped into a public-service platform and he didn't want to run again
as an independent.

Adler, who was convicted last month of possessing more than 50 marijuana
plants and drug paraphernalia, faces up to 60 years in prison when he is
sentenced Aug. 26. His attorney said probation is more likely, but election
officials say once the sentence is issued, he would be barred from holding
public office.

The Green Party has said it wants candidates who represent its environmental
platform ideals and has gone to court to keep some candidates from running
on its ballot.

Hill ran as a Green Party candidate four years ago but was rejected along
with Adler this year.

Hawaii Green Party Chairman Ira Rohter accused Hill of wanting to go on a
rant to promote himself as a comedian and make money.

Hill insists he believes in the Natural Law Party ideals. ''They're for
education,'' he said. ''I'm 300 percent behind education.''