Candidates asked to account for past actions

Democratic congressional candidates were given a chance to explain their evolving views on such topics as marriage equality and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights during a candidates forum Saturday in Kakaako.

It was the first time the three major challengers for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District participated in a forum for the 2018 primary, according to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &Transgender Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which co-hosted the event with the Labor and Hawaiian Affairs caucuses at the party’s headquarters.

Dozens packed into the small office space to hear Lt. Gov. Doug Chin, state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and state Rep. Kaniela Ing speak about their candidacy and answer questions from the three caucuses, with each allotted 40 minutes to talk.

They are seeking the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for governor.

Chin once again addressed concerns surrounding a decades-old recording of him delivering what some perceive as an anti-gay rant. His opponent, Ing, also has criticized Chin’s church for hosting what he said was a “gay conversion therapy” seminar in 2016.

Chin said his children and other life experiences helped him to come around on LGBT civil rights and that he has spoken to church leaders when encountering discriminatory views.

As state attorney general, Chin pointed out, he advocated on behalf the LGBT community, including leading a coalition of 20 states in filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting equal treatment in a case involving a Colorado cake shop that refused service to a gay couple.

Mercado Kim (D, Kalihi Valley-Moanalua-Halawa) said she too has come around on the issue after voting against the Senate bill that became the state’s same-sex marriage law in 2013. Mercado Kim said she became a supporter of marriage equality after discussing the matter with those close to her.

She said her experience and the relationships gained as a lawmaker for 35 years have given her the ability to bring people together and find the resources to get things done.

Ing had his own controversy to account for, namely his opposition to renaming Honolulu International Airport after highly regarded U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, who was accused by his hairdresser in 1992 of coercing her into having sex. Other women also alleged sexual misconduct by the senator, but Inouye was never charged with any crime and continued to serve in the U.S. Senate until his death in 2012.

Ing (D-South Maui) said whether or not the allegations against Inouye are true, renaming the airport after him sent a message to the alleged victims that no one believed them.

He labeled himself a progressive and said now is not the time to think about incremental improvements or reacting to events in Washington.

“Stopping Donald Trump is not enough,” he said. “Let’s lead with vision, with positivity.”

He said he wants to look at canceling student loans to ease the financial burden on young people and at taxing companies that use automation to reduce their labor force, using the revenue to provide a universal basic income for displaced workers.

All three congressional candidates said they support legalizing recreational marijuana to varying degrees.

Sherry Campagna, who is running for the 2nd Congressional District, appeared in the forum via video conference. She is running against U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who was unable to attend.

Randy Swindell, a Moanalua resident and representative for the Masters, Mates, &Pilots Maritime Union, said each of the District 1 candidates had strong points, making for an interesting race.

He said Mercado Kim has helped his union on labor issues, while Chin has high visibility with his fight against Trump’s Muslim travel ban and Ing showed passion about his vision for the future.

“I don’t really know who to support or even who to recommend for my union to support yet,” he said. “It’s just a horse race.”

Kapolei resident Maeda Timson said she was impressed by Chin’s speech.

“I think Doug Chin kind of hit it out of the park,” she said. “He had the most experience, and for me he had the most heartfelt passion.”

Bev Smith, 80, of Manoa, said she recalls Ing speaking in support of marriage equality during legislative debate in 2013. She said she spent many long days at the Capitol urging legislators to pass the bill, which Mercado Kim opposed.

“To me it was like he did the action,” Smith said of Ing. “These (other candidates) are doing the talking.”