Tulsi Gabbard should join debates

A large majority of likely Democratic primary voters in 2nd Congressional District — 76 percent — think U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard should participate in a public debate with her Democratic Party rivals, according to the latest Hawaii Poll released this week.

She certainly should — even though she’s already turned down several opportunities. In fact, Gabbard hasn’t participated in a debate in the six years since she was elected to Congress.

As a straight political calculation, this makes sense. Gabbard gains nothing from sharing the stage with lesser-known candidates who can’t come close to matching her popularity and political support. She should win re-election easily. Whatever she wants to say can be found on her website or Facebook page. Why waste time debating?

Here’s why.

A good public debate reflects some of the best values of an open and free election. It gives every voter within reach of TV or YouTube easy access to candidates talking extemporaneously about the issues from the same platform. It’s the best opportunity to lift the fog of carefully written, vague talking points. And you can learn a lot about the candidates by just watching and listening, especially if they are standing side-by-side, arguing with each other.

In short, a debate offers a unique way to advance the cause of an informed, engaged electorate.

It also shows respect for the voters, and those casting a ballot in CD2 deserve to hear, from the same stage, from Gabbard and her Democratic rivals, Anthony Tony Austin and Sherry Alu Campagna.

While it may not be in Gabbard’s political interest to debate, surely it’s in the public interest.

Plan ahead for license renewals

As feared and forewarned at the start of summer, satellite city halls are now being slammed with citizens who need to renew their driver’s licenses or state IDs.

Long lines are a routine sight, as customers endure hours of waiting for a basic government service. Some people are showing up before 5 a.m.; some have waited for hours, only to be told near closing time to come back the next day.

The best way for residents to combat frustration — and wasted hours — is to plan ahead. Through Aug. 25, take advantage of Saturday hours, 8 a.m. to noon, at four licensing centers: Kapalama, Kapolei, Koolau and Wahiawa. Note, though, that Saturday will cover regular driver license renewals and state ID services, but do not include road or written driver tests, or commercial drivers license services.

Also, booking an advance appointment online seems to work — but only if it’s not urgent. A recent check showed no appointment slots until August. Driver’s license renewals can be handled six months before expiration, so early birds might want to book that appointment worm now.

The city says that summer months are traditionally busy — but this year, the demand has been exacerbated by a 2010 state law that changed the validity of driver’s licenses from six years to eight years, creating the current overload of renewals. And the peak expiration months are yet to come: in September and October, some 13,000 driver’s licenses are set to expire. So plan ahead — and brace yourselves.

Let’s keep doctors in Hawaii

It’s well known that Hawaii suffers from a serious shortage of physicians, and that the trend doesn’t look so good — our population is aging, and the demand for general and specialized medical care will only increase.

The state needs about 700 more doctors, especially primary-care physicians, according to the Hawaii Medical Education Council’s latest annual report to the Legislature.

So it was welcome news that three donors — Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queens Health Systems, and Barry and Virginia Weinman — combined to provide $3.7 million to provide full scholarships for 23 incoming students at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine.

While the scholarship recipients are not required to commit to practicing in Hawaii, it’s hoped that relieving the heavy burden of student loans will make it both affordable and attractive for local students to establish their careers here. And if they are willing to work in underserved rural areas, so much the better.

The council’s report also noted another way to keep physicians: Hawaii-based residency programs, also called Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. Nearly 80 percent of physicians who do their medical school and GME training in Hawaii stay here. But the report said a decline in federal funding has made it harder for Hawaii’s teaching hospitals to maintain and expand their GME programs.

Perhaps there’s an investment opportunity here for the state and generous private donors. The return could be substantial.