U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said Tuesday that her top priority would be job creation to help with the nation’s economic recovery if she is re-elected to Congress in November, while former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou, her Republican opponent, said he would focus on the federal government’s $16 trillion debt.

Hanabusa and Djou, in a one-hour debate on Hawaii Public Radio in their rematch in urban Honolulu’s 1st Congressional District, offered voters ideological contrasts.

Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, said Hawaii-born President Barack Obama and the government have had a role in the recovery and stressed the importance of restoring hope and confidence in the nation’s direction. 

Djou believes the country is headed in the wrong direction and said that he has more faith in the individual and small businesses than in the government.