With Gov. Neil Abercrombie out of the political picture, the four candidates running for Hawaii governor came together for the first time in the general election campaign Monday night and vowed to lead the state in a new direction.
Democrat David Ige, Republican James "Duke" Aiona, Hawaii Independent Party candidate Mufi Hannemann and Libertarian Jeff Davis touched on a wide range of topics at Hawaii Public Radio’s Atherton Studio in Honolulu, including affordable housing, homelessness, public education and economic growth.
With a statewide radio and live-streaming audience, the event was the first in a series of forums in which all four gubernatorial candidates agreed to appear in the run-up to November’s general election.
Ige, an electrical engineer with 35 years as a state legislator, emphasized his experience as Senate finance committee chairman and said he would bring a new leadership style.
"Government has stopped listening and responding to the needs of the community," he said. "I would bring in an adminstration that would be focused on collaboration."
Ige, a relatively unknown state senator a year ago, upset Abercrombie in August’s primary by a stunning margin, despite an overwhelming fundraising disadvantage.
Ige knocked off the incumbent with a big boost from teachers, and Monday he said he would empower teachers and principals to make the decisions that are best for their students.
"We must create better jobs so our young people can live and work in Hawaii," he said. "It all begins with public education so our children have the best opportunities they deserve."
Aiona, a retired state judge and two-term lieutenant governor, said people are longing for change from the high cost of living and a poorly run public education system.
"My opponent has been a part of this system for 30 years," said Aiona, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010 against Abercrombie. "When people ask, do they want more of the same, I think they say no."
On dealing with homelessness, Aiona said he would call on the National Guard to employ "peer-to-peer outreach" to reach out to homeless veterans and establish a Homeless Court that would get the homeless off the streets and into programs.
Aiona said he and his running mate, Elwin Ahu, would give highest priority to the economy and jobs.
"When we’re elected, you’re gonna get a sign that says Hawaii is now open for business, because we give instant balance to state government," he said.
Hannemann, a former Honolulu mayor and Council member, said education and the economy will be his administration’s main focus. He also said he would "declare war" against homelessness with Housing First initiatives, establishing a tent city and additional shelters, and aggressively seeking federal gants.
He said partisan politics has created gridlock in Hawaii government.
"This is all about putting the people first. This is all about putting Hawaii first. It’s about giving party politics and party platforms … secondary precedence," Hannemann said.
Davis, a solar contractor and radio talk show host, offered radical change. Among things, he said he would legalize marijuana to have the state reap "a big boat of revenue" and allow gambling on a ship, keeping it offshore but also cashing in for the state.
Davis said he’s tired of the status quo in Hawaii that has been entrenched decade after decade.
"Even those folks engaged in it would have to agree that’s gotta change, and I am your best chance for change," he said.
Ige did not appear in the first post-primary forum last week, bowing out over a dispute with the sponsor, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. The problem was over the institute’s right to use and distribute the recording of the forum, with Ige saying it could be used out of context during the campaign season.
