There are a number of upcoming candidate debates and forums at which the public may learn about their candidates in more detail; this list is the most current we have as of Sunday, September 30. Everybody is encouraged to learn about candidates even those not in the district in which you live as on our small Big Island, we depend on all the legislators to work for the good of the entire population.
Register to vote through Monday, October 8. Get your voter application online at www.hawaii.gov/elections, or at public libraries, county and state offices, the Hilo Elections Office at 25 Aupuni Center, the Kona Elections Office at West Hawaii Civic Center, which is now staffed. You may also register to vote at League of Women Voters “Wiki Wiki” registration events on Saturday, October 6 and Monday October 8 at Kona Kmart, Malama Market in Pahoa, and at a drive-through voter registration at Bay Front, Hilo, with all locations open from 9 a.m. until 4;30 p.m. The League of Women Voters members will actually turn in the completed forms to the Elections Office.
Forums:
Monday, October 1, North Kohala Senior Citizens Non-Partisan Candidate Forum: 9 a.m., Kohala Senior Citizens Center (old courthouse in Kapa’au). All candidates for this area have been invited including federal, state and county races and most have accepted. Moderator: Michael Sumja
Monday, October 1, Mayor Candidates and County Prosecutor Candidates, 6 p.m. til 8:15 p.m., Kealakehe High School Cafeteria and broadcast live on LAVA 105.3 fm. Candidates for Mayor, Mayor Billy Kenoi and former Mayor Harry Kim, for Prosecutor, Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth. Food sales by Kealakehe High Principal Wil Murakami and School Community Council at 5:15 p.m. featuring Chinese Chicken Salad and homemade cookies. Moderator: Sherry Bracken
Thursday, October 4, State House District 5 Candidates, 7 p.m. til 8 p.m., Konawaena Elementary School Cafeteria. Candidates Dave Bateman, Denny Coffman. Moderator: Virginia Isbell **Note New Time!
Friday, October 5, Mayor and County Council Candidates, Waikoloa School Cafeteria, Confirmed: Billy Kenoi and Harry Kim, Sonny Shimaoka and Margaret Wille. 6 p.m. Moderator: Noa Lincoln
Saturday, October 6, various Puna candidates (State Senate, County Council, Mayor) at Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center, 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Moderator: Elizabeth Weatherford
Monday, October 8, County Council Candidates, 6 p.m. til 8 p.m., Kealakehe High School Cafeteria and broadcast live on LAVA 105.3 fm, for District 5, South Kona to Ka’u: candidates Maile David, Brenda Ford, and Candidates for District 9, Waikoloa through Waimea and North Kohala; candidates Sonny Shimaoka and Margaret Wille. NO food sales, bring your own! Moderator: Sherry Bracken
Monday, October 8, televised debate between U. S. Senate Candidates Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle, 7 p.m., KHON 2.
Wednesday, October 10, U. S. Senate, State Senate, Mayor, County Council District 9, Waimea School Cafeteria, confirmed: Linda Lingle (Mazie Hirono has been invited but has neither declined nor accepted), Nalama Solomon and Kelly Greenwell, Billy Kenoi and Harry Kim, Sonny Shimaoka and Margaret Wille. 5:15 p.m. Moderator: Sherry Bracken
Thursday, October 11, Mayor Candidates Billy Kenoi and Harry Kim will be guests on the PBS Hawaii program Insights. Channel 10 on Hawaii Island if you have Oceanic Cablevision, starts at 8 p.m. Moderator: Dan Boylan
Monday, October 15, State Representative District 3 and County Prosecuting Attorney, 5:30 p.m. at Volcano’s Cooper Center; State House Candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai, Richard Onishi; Prosecuting Attorney Candidates Lincoln Ashida, Mitch Roth. Moderator: Dr. Todd Belt, UH Hilo Political Science Professor
Tuesday, October 16, televised debate U. S. Senate Candidates Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle on KITV Channel 4, 8 p.m.
Thursday, October 18, televised debate, U. S. Senate Candidates Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle, on PBS Hawaii Insights, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Moderator: Dan Boylan
Monday, October 22, Hawaii County Council District 6, 6 p.m. at Volcano’s Cooper Center; Candidates Maile David, Brenda Ford. Moderator: Erica Johnson, C0-President of American Association of University Women
Monday, October 22, televised debate U. S. Senate Candidates Mazie Hirono and Linda Lingle, 6:30 p.m., Hawaii News Now: KGMB 9, KHNL 8, KFVE 5
Register to vote through Monday, October 8. Get your voter application online at www.hawaii.gov/elections, or at public libraries, county and state offices, the Hilo Elections Office at 25 Aupuni Center, the Kona Elections Office at West Hawaii Civic Center, which is now staffed. You may also register to vote at League of Women Voters “Wiki Wiki” registration events on Saturday, October 6 and Monday October 8 at Kona Kmart, Malama Market in Pahoa, and at a drive-through voter registration at Bay Front, Hilo, with all locations open from 9 a.m. until 4;30 p.m. The League of Women Voters members will actually turn in the completed forms to the Elections Office.
Walk in absentee voting, available to any registered voter, begins Tuesday, October 23 and goes through Saturday, November 3, at Waimea Community Center, Aupuni Center Conference Room, and West Hawaii Civic Center, with all locations open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Election day is Tuesday, November 6.
