Back in the days when I was a researcher and journalist for a paper, I would wonder what the best sources are for stories that I was writing. I knew some mainland experts on matters, like airline transportation, that would have a good grip on the realities of the airline industry for Hawaii. 

But for politics, it seems that there are two rules: 1. Hawaii is so unique that we need to go local on our sources; and 2. That source better have titles up the wazoo to legitimize their statements. I have found that the best political sources are the ones that actually know Hawaii politics from a long term perspective. People who have read the books by George Cooper, Gavin Daws and even pol's themselves like Governor Cayetano. 

With that, these days I would say its hard to find people who really know Hawaii politics, let alone willing to comment on it. Goes back to the days of keeping quiet about one's opinions on such matters, I guess.