The public is invited to a moderated candidate forum on Monday, July 16, for candidates for United States House and United States Senate. The forum starts earlier then usual, at 5:30 p.m., at Kealakehe High School Cafeteria. The Kealakehe High Yearbook Team will sell food (chili-rice-hot dogs-vegetarian option-rice) starting at 5 p.m.
The candidates who have confirmed their attendance for United States House of Representatives include Tulsi Gabbard, Mufi Hannemann, Esther Kia’aina and Bob Marx, who are running in the Democratic Primary on Saturday, August 11, and will face one of two Republican challenges in the General Election.
The candidates for United States Senate who have confirmed include former Congressman Ed Case, attorney John Carroll and Pahoa resident Charles Collins. Congressman Case’s major opponent in the Democratic Primary is Congresswoman Mazie Hirono; although Congresswoman Hirono declined to participate in this and all other forums on Hawaii Island, the invitation remains open and if she decides to participate, she will be welcomed. Republicans John Carroll and Charles Collins face former Governor Linda Lingle, who also declined to take part.
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, Rotary of Kona, West Hawaii Today, LAVA 105.3 fm/Mahalo Broadcasting, the online news web site hawaii247.com, and Kealakehe High.
The forum will all also be carried live on the radio on LAVA 105.3 fm at 5:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on KLEI TV Channel 6 on the Tuesday evening following the forum.
