There are several candidate forums coming up, with the candidates for Hawaii County Mayor up this week and next.
Thursday, July 5, 6 p.m., a Mayor Forum at Sangha Hall, sponsored by Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, Hawaii Island Board of Realtors, Hawaii Island Contractors Association. The forum will include three of the six candidates for Mayor: incumbent Mayor Billy Kenoi, who is seeking a second term; former Mayor Harry Kim, who’s seeking to return to public life after 8 years as Mayor and four years of retirement; County Council Chair Dominic Yagong, who has represented Hamakua on the County Council for 12 years. The moderator will be Sherry Bracken of LAVA 105 and KKOA and Hawaii Public Radio. Tickets (no charge) are required, and the public may call sponsors for more information.
Monday, July 9, 6 p.m., a moderated forum for the Mayor candidates and the County Prosecutor candidates. The forum is at Kealakehe High School at 6 p.m, with food sales by the Kealakehe High Yearbook, starting at 5:15 (the public is encouraged to support the yearbook by enjoying dinner at the forum). The Mayor candidates who are confirmed are incumbent Mayor Billy Kenoi, who is seeking a second term; former Mayor Harry Kim, who’s seeking to return to public life after 8 years as Mayor and four years of retirement; County Council Chair Dominic Yagong, who has represented Hamakua on the County Council for 12 years, and Share Christie, wife of the incarcerated “Marijuana Minister” Roger Christie. The County Prosecutor Candidates are Lincoln Ashida, Mitchell Roth, and Paul Dolan. Sherry Bracken (LAVA 105, KKOA, Hawaii Public Radio) will moderate the forum, which is sponsored by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, the Kohala Coast Resort Association, the Hawaii Island Board of Realtors, West Hawaii Today, and Kealakehe High. Submit questions in advance to info@lava105.com or fax to 769-5050. The forum will air live on LAVA 105.3 fm radio.
The Hilo Association for Family and Community Education (FCE) invites the public to attend their “Meet Your Candidates” Forum, to be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July, 10, 2012 at the University of Hawaii at Hilo UCB (University Classroom Building) Room 100. This is the new building on the Kawili Street side of campus. Candidates running for the offices of US Senator, US Representative – Congressional District 2, State Senate- District 1 and 2,, State Representative – District 1, 2, 3, and 4, Hawaii Mayor, Hawaii Prosecuting Attorney, and County Council Districts 1,2,3,4, and 5 and OHA Trustees have been invited. Organizers say the Mayor candidates who have accepted are Share Christie and Daniel Cunningham, and they have 30 candidates total coming. All party affiliations are included. The candidates will have an opportunity to briefly introduce themselves to the audience and state their platform. “Talk Story” time with the candidates and refreshments will follow the forum. The Hilo Association for Family and Community Education has been hosting candidate’s forums for many years as part of their commitment to strengthening the community. The organization’s mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through continuing education, developing leadership and community action.
Wednesday, July 11, 6 p.m., Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale. The League of Women Voters will have a moderated forum with the County Prosecutor candidates and Hawaii County Council Districts 1 (Hamakua to North Hilo), 2, and 3 (both Hilo area).
Thursday, July 12, 4 p.m., (note new time) Waimea Middle School, a “speed dating format” forum sponsored by Waimea Community Association and 12 local community groups…races will be candidates covering the Waimea area for State Senate plus the Mayoral candidates and candidates for County Prosecutor. Candidates will make opening statements and then move from table to table to answer questions. Sherry Bracken of LAVA 105, KKOA, and Hawaii Public Radio will facilitate.
Sunday, July 15, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., Hawaiian Paradise Park Forum for Mayor and others, at Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center at 17th and Maku’u.
Monday, July 16, 5:30 p.m., (note new time) Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, a moderated forum for United States Senate Candidates and U. S. House Candidates. Former Congressman Ed Case has accepted, and all other candidates are invited. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono has declined this and all other forums on Hawaii Island. The U.S. House Candidates are also invited, and those indicating intent to attend include Tulsi Gabbard, Mufi Hannemann, Esther Kia’aina, and Bob Marx. Sherry Bracken of LAVA 105, KKOA, and Hawaii Public Radio will moderate. Submit questions in advance to info@lava105.com or fax to 769-5050. The forum will air live on LAVA 105.3 fm radio.
Saturday, July 21, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Waimea Community Center. Forum hosted by South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee focused specifically on traffic-safety issues and pending traffic improvement projects. Races to be spotlighted include: 9-10 a.m. Hawai’i County Council Dist. 9; 10-11 a.m. Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney; 1-2:30 p.m. Mayor; 2:30-3:30 p.m. State Sen. Dist. 4. An open Q&A with the audience will follow a series of questions presented by the Committee. All welcome.
Monday, July 23, 6 p.m., Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, a moderated forum for County Council Candidates for Council District 6 (South Kona-Ka’u), District 7 (Kainaliu to Kailua Village), District 8 (North Kona). All candidates for those offices have accepted–for District 6, Brenda Ford, Maile David, Bradley Westervelt, and Lee McIntosh; for District 7, Dru Kanuha; for District 8, Karen Eoff and Charles Guccione. Food sales start at 5:15 p.m. Sherry Bracken of LAVA 105, KKOA, and Hawaii Public Radio will moderate. Submit questions in advance to info@lava105.com or fax to 769-5050. The forum will air live on LAVA 105.3 fm radio.
Tuesday, July 24, 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Pahoa Neighborhood Place, Mayor candidates
Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.., Big Island Chronicle, Akebono Theater, several candidate forums throughout the day, all moderated.
