The message was clear from candidates running for elected office at Thursday night's Pearl City Community Association sponsored Candidate Forum held at the Momilani Community Center in Pearl City. The message, "I'm the best candidate for the job!"
As each candidate presented themselves, background, experience and vision for Hawaii's future, one common denominator that stood out amongst the group was their passion to serve.
Last night's PCCA Candidates Forum gave candidates the opportunity to reach into our Pearl City community and truly present themselves while addressing the concerns and issues from area residents. Candidates running for office from the city, state and federal levels participated in the forum.
One of the more popular issues on the minds of attendees was that of the rail project and the costs to taxpayers. U.S. Senate candidate Ed Case did his best to address the issue at the federal level with regard to funding.
Candidates for Honolulu Mayor, Kirk Caldwell and incumbent Mayor Peter Carlisle, who are both pro rail supporters, expressed the need for the project to keep moving forward in order to keep the project on track. Anti rail candidate for Mayor Ben Cayetano did not attend the forum. The former Hawaii Governor is currently running in front of both Caldwell and Carlisle in the latest polls while sticking to his candidate platform of opposing the development of the rail system.
Mayor Carlisle summed it up for attendees with regard to the chance of the rail being stopped by an anti rail Mayor being elected into office. "It's going to be about a fifth of a mile long within about a week and a half," said Mayor Carlisle. ”That's exactly where we need to be because it means that nobody, no idiot Mayor, including myself can stop it. By the time we get to November, we'll also get the full funding grant agreement if you have the right person as Mayor. If we get that 1.55 billion dollars, and we still have the reserves that we already do have, with the costs of what we're doing, we'll be well on the way to rail."
It was a little disappointing that some of the high profile candidates decided not to participate, but for the ones that did; the connection made to the community will find its way to the voters' box on Election Day.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Candidate for U.S. Senate Ed Case delivered his vision for Hawaii's future at the congressional level.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Candidiate for Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell presents his experience and vision to community attendees on Thursday.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle answers questions from attendees during the PCCA Candidates Forum.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
State Senate 16th District candidate Mike Greco.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Senator Clarence Nishihara, Incumbent candidate for the State Senate 18th District.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
State House 34th District candidate Eloise Tungpalan.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
State House 34th District candidate Gregg Takayama.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Honolulu Councilmember Breene Harimoto who served as emcee for the evening pictured here handing the mic to an attendee during the Q&A portion of the forum.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Councilmember Harimoto asks Mayor Carlisle to respond to a question from the PCCA Board of Directors.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Ed and Audrey Case join PCCA board members for a photo on Thursday, August 2, 2012 during the candidates forum held at the Momilani Community Center in Pearl City.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
PCCA Candidate Forum attendees filled the Momilani Community Center pavilion on Thursday.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Mrs. Clarence Nishihara pictured having a great time while being introduced by her husband State Senator Nishihara.