Hilo, HI - A large crowd gathers at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to listen to the four leading candidates in this September's mayoral primary election. Candidates for Hawaii County mayor: (left to right above) - District 4 county councilman Stacy Higa, state senator Lorraine Inouye, attorney Billy Kenoi, and County Council Vice Chairman Angel Pilago.

The entire substance of the debate is presented below. Although there has been editing, it is important to know that the candidate's statements and answers are presented in their entirety. Questions are sometimes presented to the entire field of candidates, and sometimes presented to only one candidate to answer. Answers in the videos range from three minutes to one minute, depending on the format.

Sponsors for this event included the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, and Hawaii Island Board of Realtors.

Questions were asked by Jerry Burris, longtime Honolulu Advertiser political columnist and reporter, and David Bock, Hawaii Tribune-Herald editor. The moderator was the well known Honolulu broadcaster, Linda Coble.




Note: Candidates who were not asked to be a part of the forum: Joseph Barrozo, Sam Masilamoney, Jasper Moore and Randy Riley.

OPENING STATEMENTS
Stacy Higa
Angel Pilago
Billy Kenoi
Lorraine Inouye

FORUM QUESTION - ALL 4 CANDIDATES ANSWER
Recession issues: jobs and the economy?
The trash problem: what should we do?

1 QUESTION for 1 CANDIDATE
Billy Kenoi: Specifics on his plan to reduce spending
Angel Pilago: Where would this West Hawaii candidate keep his office?
Stacy Higa: What would be his priority for the county's roads?
Lorraine Inouye: How would she streamline the process to build a home?
Billy Kenoi: On the record concerning an accusation of assault
Angel Pilago: Should there be more military training on Hawaii?
Stacy Higa: On the record concerning his personal character
Lorraine Inouye: Should there be more telescopes atop Mauna Kea?

FORUM QUESTION - ALL 4 CANDIDATES ANSWER
PEOPLE'S QUESTION: How to make county workers more service oriented?
Tourism vs. local interests
The legacy of current Mayor Harry Kim: any administrative shortcomings?
What is the unique economic potential of the Big Island?

CLOSING STATEMENTS
Angel Pilago
Billy Kenoi
Lorraine Inouye
Stacy Higa


BLOGROLL
dustrotter.com
Coconut Girl Wireless
Leslie Lang, Hawaii Writer
Hunter Bishop
The Kona Blog
A Darker View
Damon Tucker's Weblog

BIG ISLAND WEBSITES
Big Island - Big Island