(BIVN) – Four candidates for Hawaii County Council – two each running for Puna districts 4 and 5 – participated in a political forum Thursday night at Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science, or HAAS.
Running for the district 4 seat is Ashley Kierkiewicz, who is challenging incumbent councilwoman Eileen O’Hara.
For district 5, Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder and Frederic Wirick are campaigning to fill the seat that is currently held by councilwoman Jen Ruggles. Ruggles is not seeking reelection.
The HAAS forum was a unique format. Voters had the chance to write questions on poster paper labeled with six categories of concern (subjects like Land Use and Environment, for example). Then, the voters were given sticky dots, which they stuck next to the written questions that they most wanted moderator Leah Gouker to ask the candidates.
The Hawaii County Council races are non-partisan, and will be a part of the primary election held on August 11.
