Candidates for the upcoming 2010 State of Hawaii Primary Election were invited to the Momilani Community Center on Friday, September 3, 2010 to speak at the "Candidates Forum Hoolaulea" presented by the Pearl City Community Association (PCCA).
The following political races were represented on Friday:
Governor
Lt. Governor
Mayor of City & County of Honolulu
City & County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney
US Congress – House
US Congress – Senate
Board of Education (BOE)
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
Honolulu City Council District 8
Hawaii State House of Representatives District 34
Hawaii State House of Representatives District 36
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
City & County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Candidate, Keith Kaneshiro
shakes hands with BOE Candidates, Roberta Phillips Mayor (left) and Pamela
Young (right)at the entranc to the Momilani Community Center in Pearl City.
Candidates were given 3 minutes to speak and were well received by Pearl City residents in attendance. MyPearlCity.com caught up with some of the candidates and posed the question about how important Friday night's PCCA Candidates Forum Hoolaulea was for them to connect with the Pearl City community and registered voters?
Roberta Phillips Mayor, Candidate for the Board of Education
“I’m happy to back here in Pearl City. I lived in Pearl City for twenty five years and was also the Assistant Principal at Pearl City High School back in 78-80. It’s wonderful to be able to connect with the Pearl City folks. Everyone has been so gracious as they’ve come in through the gate. It’s wonderful that I’m here to be able to talk to people and let them know about my candidacy for the school board.”
Pamela Young, Candidate for the Board of Education
“I’m very impressed with the Pearl City community with this organization that is here. There are so many people who are so interested in knowing what’s going on in the political realm, they care about the state. I’m just blown away.”
Jon Riki Karamatsu, Candidate for Lt. Governor
“Being that I grew up in Pearl City, I live right down the street from the Momilani Community Center, so it’s very exciting and an honor for me to be in the community and being able to speak to the community leaders and some of the residents on issues important to me and the State of Hawaii and what I think I can do for the State as Lt. Governor.”
Gary Hooser, Candidate for Lt. Governor
“I’m just happy to be here in Pearl City. It’s a beautiful day and looking forward to the discussion we’re going to have and I’m enjoying the food and talking to people and happy to be here in Pearl City.”
Reed Shiraki, Candidate for the State House of Representatives, District 36
“It’s a good opportunity to share my views on everything with the people of Pearl City.”
William Wong, Candidate for State House of Representatives, District 34
“I’m very happy to be here to meet the people in our community, to ask for their vote, and to ask them to go out and vote.”
Lyla Berg, Candidate for Lt. Governor
“We are public servants. We work for the public so we need to be out in the public and the public needs to know that we’re accessible, that we’re people like they are and more importantly, my colleagues who are running for office need to know the different communities. Our communities are vibrant, especially your community here. Extremely vibrant, alive and connected to each other and that’s a role model for the rest of the island.”
Naomi Takai, substitute speaker for Mufi Hannemann, Candidate for Governor
“It’s very important that we show up and give our opinions and support who we believe and have faith.
Erik Takai, substitute speaker for Mark Takai, Candidate for State House of Representatives, District 34
“Mark really believes in serving the community and his priority is Education. He wants to be in the House and support Education. It means that much to him.”
In a key race for Congress, US House of Representatives Candidate Colleen Hanabusa (D) attended the forum while representing her bid for Congress.
Cal Chipchase representing the Charles Djou (R) campaign spoke for the Congressman.
In the race for Mayor of the City & County of Honolulu, Peter Kay, Campaign Chair for Mayoral Candidate Panos Prevedouros delivered the message of the candidate's concerns to find an alternative to building the rail project as well as the need to elect an experienced engineer as the next Honolulu Mayor.
The evening most certainly gave Pearl City residents a good look and better perspective with regards to each candidates vision for our economic growth and future here in Hawaii.
Mahalo to all the candidates and their campaign support teams that attended and participated in the PCCA Candidates Forum Hoolaulea held at the Momilani Community Center on Friday. Also, mahalo to the PCCA and President Jits Fujimura for hosting and providing dinner and refreshments for the attendees.
Great Job and good luck to all the Candidates in the upcoming Primary Election on September 18, 2010.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City Community Association (PCCA) President, Jits Fujimura (3rd from right) pictured
with PCCA Board Members who kept the program running smooth and the crowd well fed.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City residents pictured enjoying the speakers and dinner on Friday night.