The Monday televised “Super Debate” was part high school quiz bowl, part “Hot Hawaiian Nights,” with all the riveting action of an ‘Olelo rebroadcast of a neighborhood board meeting.

Former Gov. John Waihee kicked it off by saying three hours of political debates was “like mainlining to a political junkie,” which is an odd way to put it, though apt. But for the interested but busy voter, or the give-up-already nonvoter, it was like a variety show without a gong.

And then it started raining on the outdoor event. Even the moths were leaving.

Character is often revealed in the midst of chaos, and in that respect the debates provided useful insights into the Democratic Party candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and the 1st Congressional District. It was something of a free-for-all with candidates having to continually stand up from chairs the height of bar stools and step through everyone’s microphone cords without tripping and keep their answers limited to sound bites. In terms of summing it up, what rises to the top are the moments when the politicians seemed to go off their scripted talking points.

The first debate, among candidates for LG, centered around the theme of what each would do with the famously do-nothing office. Jill Tokuda said the LG should be head of the Board of Education. Josh Green talked so much about his work as an ER doctor that it begged the question why he’d want to take any time away from that higher calling to play second banana to Ige or Hanabusa. Nobody asked that question. Kim Coco Iwamoto handled it best by saying, “I can work with either governor. I can work around either governor. Most importantly, I will work for the people.”

In the gathering of candidates for Congress, Ernie Martin made his own moke joke when he threatened a moderator for cutting him off: “Take it easy, Keahi. I might need to come out there and do some damage. You know I can.”

And then it pretty much turned into Donna Mercado Kim and Ed Case taking shots at each other, Doug Chin reminding everyone that he sued Donald Trump, Beth Fukumoto reminding everyone that she’s a real Democrat now and Kaniela Ing being Kaniela Ing. Best quote: “Check it, Donna. Go check your facts right now.”

Then, in the last hour, as the wind picked up and the rain poured down, David Ige and Colleen Hanabusa took the same predictable whacks at one another. Hanabusa asked Ige what he was doing during the infamous 38 minutes of the missile scare. Ige brought up the tired old gripe about Hanabusa’s tax credit for Ko Olina. That actually gave Hanabusa an opportunity to explain it in terms of setting the stage for Aulani and other positive development in the area.

Ige kept saying he met the goal of installing air conditioners in 1,000 public school classrooms, but he conveniently skipped over a big part of that promise: that the goal would be met by the end of his first year in office. Now he’s reshaped his record by saying he accomplished the goal “within his first term.” Hundreds of kids who spent those extra months and years sweltering in those classrooms would say the difference isn’t just semantics.

The last question of the night was for both Ige and Hanabusa. “Both of you have been in office many years as part of the Democratic Party establishment. For many in Hawaii, things have gotten worse rather than better. Why should anyone expect any change if either of you is elected?”

Both answered with platitudes, and the evening ended with the disquieting notion that neither candidate represents true change. Who won the Super Debates? The sharp Kamehameha Schools students — many of whom will be voting for the first time this election — asked great questions and gave the best hope for the future.

Reach Lee Cataluna at 529-4315 or lcataluna@staradvertiser.com.