Democratic Primary Lt. Gov. Debate

MS. SHERRY MENOR-McNAMARA. WE'LL GET TO OUR QUESTIONS IN A MOMENT. FIRST A LOOK AT THE FORMAT. THE QUESTIONS CAME FROM OUR VIEWERS,OUS NEWSROOM AND CANDIDATES THEMSELVES. THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 45 SECONDS TO ARS EACH QUESTION. THE CONCLUSION OF THE FORUM WILL ALLOW ONE MINUTE CLOSING.

CANDIDATES WILL SEE A YELLOW LIGHT WHEN THERE ARE 15 SECONDS LEFT. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO FINISH THEIR SENTENCE. THE ORDER WAS DECIDED IN ADVANCE IN A DRAWING. ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES TONIGHT HAVE A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS BUSINESS AND LAW.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHTHS AND HOW THEY HAVE PREPARED YOU FOR THE JOB OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. MS. LUKE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, GINA AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY TUNING IN.

MY NAME IS SYLVIA LUKE. I HAVE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE THE LAST 24 YEARS. A LOT OF THINGS.

WE WENT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY LIKE LANAI AND TALK THE TOLD COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLES. I WENT TO MOLOKAI, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE FOUND WAS THAT IN MOLOKAI, THE GATHERING PLACE WAS A LIBRARY. IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY -- IT DIDN'T HAVE THAT MANY SPACE, SO IT ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT SIX PEOPLE. WE WERE ABLE TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE. AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I AM ABLE TO BRING THE EXPERIENCES OF THE COMMUTE AND BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND GOVERNOR. ALOHA, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU. >> MS. MAKAHA MAC. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING -- MEN R MCNAMARA.

AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS TWO THOUSAND SMALL BUSINESSES. I'M A FIRST THIS TIME CANDIDATE. I'VE HAD MORE THAN 6 YEARS OF -6 YEARS WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

NAVIGATING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. AND THROUGHOUT THE 16 YEARS I'VE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO BECOME THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE FROM THE NEIGHBOR AIONAS SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEIGHBOR AIONA EYE -- D VOICE IS WELL REPRESENTED. >> MR. AMEMIYA. >> MAHALO.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT'S NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN OR LOBBYIST. I HAVE EXECUTIVE STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT SECTORS. AS HEAD OF HAWAI'I HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, I VISITED ALL 98 HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND ALL THEIR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. I WORKED WITH ALL THE SCHOOLS. I WORKED WITH ALL THE COMMUNITIES.

I KNOW THEM WITH THE. ALL OF THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS I'VE BEEN MANY TIMES OVER AND WORKED TO SOLVE THE MANY PROBLEM AND CHALLENGES THAT THEY SAYS. I HAVE THE BROAD BASED EXPERIENCE TO BE YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND I HUMMINGABLY ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER ME.

>> MR. ANDERSON. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I'M IKAIKA ANDERSON, FORMER CHAIR. HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL.

I'M ALSO A SINGLE DAD WORKING HARD TO WORK MY KEIKI HERE IN HAWAI'I JUST AS MANY OF OUR VIEWERS ARE. AS THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL CHAIR, OUR TEAM WAS SUCCESSFUL IN HELPING TO IMPLEMENT THE KAU HALE CONCEPT. BRINGING TINY HOMES TO OUR HOMELESS POPULATION. WE BUILT ONE IN WAIMANALO.

WE WARNED WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO BUILD ONE IN KALAELOA. WE'RE WORKING TO BRING WORK FORCE HOUSING HERE. AS A HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER, WE BUILT FRIENDSHIPS ACROSS THE STATE. WE'RE NOT ONLY TRAVELING ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ARE RECONNECTING WITH ALL OUR FRIENDS AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE OUR CAMPAIGN FORWARD. >> Gina: THANK YOU. HAWAI'I'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS A VARIETY OF SPECIFIC DIEWTLE -- DUTIES OUTLINED IN THE LAW. THEY HAVE SPECIFIC CAUSES THAT THEY CHAMPION. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE STATE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR? MS. MENOR MCNAMARA? >> BASED ON MY STATEWIDE EXPERIENCE I'VE FORMED RELATIONSHIPS UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY THE PAST COUPLE YEARS WORKING WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

BEING ON THE FRONT LINES ENSUGAR THEIR DOOR COULD STAY OPEN. WORKING WITH EMPLOYEES SO THEY COULD STAY EMPLOYED. HELPING FAMILIES AND HELPING THEM GET OTHER JOBS. I'VE BEEN THERE AND NOW THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC WE'RE ENTERING A NEXT PHASE. THAT'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL CONSULT WITH THE GOVERNOR AND ASK HIM FOR ME TO TAKE TAKE THED IN LEADING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY EFFORT. WHICH INCLUDES REINVENTING GOVERNMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FINDING FEDERAL RESOURCES AMONG OTHER INITIATIVES. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MR.MR. KEITH AMEMIYA. >> BIGGEST ISSUE FACING OUR ISSUE IS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE NEED AS MUCH AS 65,000 UNITS TO MEET DEMAND. THAT'S A STAGGERING AMOUNT. THAT'S AN AMOUNT THAT NEVER TOOK PLACE OVERNIGHT.

IT'S ACCUMULATED OVER DECADES OF INACTION. THAT'S WHY WE NEED CHANGE. I'M COMMITTED TO WORK WITH OUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO TACKLE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.

THE HIGHEST EXTENSION IN OUR WORKING FAMILIESING'S MONTHLY EXPENSES AND I'M COMMITTED TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO MAKING THEIR LIVES EASIER SO THEY DON'T CONTINUE TO MOVE OUT OF STATE IN RECORD NUMBERS. THANK YOU. >> Gina: MR. ANDERSON.

>> I WORKED WITH THE NEXT GOVERNOR IN BRINGING MORE WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECTS TO OUR STATE. AS THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL CHAIR, OUR TEAM HAD SOME SUCCESSES WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION IN RENTAL HOUSING, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE VAST PORTFOLIO OF STATE AVAILABLE LAND. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL HAVE THAT.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE NEXT GOVERNOR TO BUILD KAU HALE ACROSS THE STATE. WE'D LIKE TO DO TEN OF THOSE. WE WILL WORK TO TO MANAGE OUR VISITOR INDUSTRY. SIMILAR TO WHAT OUR TEAM DID IN WINDWARD OAHU. LOOKING TO EXPAND AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WITH OUR TEAM IN HELPING TO PROTECT HAWAI'I. >> Gina: MS. LUKE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THERE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TOURISM, NUMBER ONE THING I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS BUILD MORE PRESCHOOLS. RIGHT NOW HALF THE PRESCHOOL POPULATION HAVE ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL. NO PRESCHOOLS WHERE THEY LIVE OR THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT.

THIS IS 6 WE HAVE TO DO IF WE WANT TO ELEVATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF OUR TOP-- TOP -- POP LAPPINGS. WE HAVE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES SO WE CAN GIVE THEM A HEADS UP WHEN THEY ENTER SCHOOL. THIS WILL TRANSLATE INTO MANY THINGS LIKE INCREASE LITERACY, INCREASE WORKFORCE, INCREASE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES. ONE THING I WANT TO DO IS INCREASE PRESCHOOL ACCESS. >> Gina: IF LENGTH THE -- ELECTE THE NUMBER TWO.

WHICH OF THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR HAVE THE QUALITIES THAT BEST COMPLEMENT YOUR STRENGTHS AND ABILITIES AND WOULD CREATE THE STRONGEST TICKET FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE GENERAL ELECTION? MR. AMEMIYA? >> I KNOW ALL THREE DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES VERY WELL. >> I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR ALL.

THOUGHTHEY ALL HAVE THEIR STRENS AND SKILL SETS. I'M COMFORTABLE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF THEM, WHOEVER MAY WIN THE GUBERNATORIAL TICKET. IT'S A PARTNERSHIP. I'VE SHOWN THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE, IN MY VARIOUS CAREERS THAT I CAN WORK WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE FROM ALL COMMUNITIES AND I'LL BRING THOSE SKILL SETS TO WORK TOGETHER WELL WITH THE NEXT GOVERNOR TO GET THE THINGS DONE TO MAKE OUR STATE BETTER. BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MAKING HAWAI'I MORE AFFORDABLE FOR WORKING FAMILIES. >> Gina: MR. ANDERSON.

>> I ENJOY FRIENDSHIP WITH ALL OF THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AND THEIR FAMILIES. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN FRIENDLY WITH DR. JOSH GREEN AS I KNOW HIM. FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS. HE'S PROVIDED US WITH MEDICAL ADVICE. HEALTH HELPED MY CHILDREN'S MOTHER WITH MEDICAL ISSUES.

KAI KAHELE, NOT THE SENATOR, CONGRESSMAN OR PILOT ALSO A FRIEND AS HIS FATHER. BOTH MY GRANDFATHER AND AND GRAD UNCLE SERVED WITH GOVERNOR CAYETANO. I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ALONG SIDE ONE OF MY FRIENDS, WHICH EVERY SHOULD STEP OUT.

I CAN COMPLEMENT NICELY. >> Gina: MS. LUKE. >> THAT IS THE MOST OFTEN ASKED QUESTION. WHO DO YOU WANT TO SERVE WITH.

I TELL THEM THIS, I ACTUALLY WORKED WITH ALL THREE OF THEM. I WORKED WITH JOSH GREEN WHEN HE WAS IN THE HOUSE. I WORKED WITH JOSH GREEN WHEN HE WAS ALSO IN THE SENATE.

I ALSO WORKED WITH KAI KAHELE WHEN HE WAS IN THE SENATE WITH MANY LAND USE ISSUES, MANY ISSUES DEALING WITH RANCHERS AND VALUE OF WATER. WITH JOSH GREEN WE WORKED ON A LOT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INCLUDING HOUSING ISSUES AND HOMELESS ISSUES. AND WITH FORMER FIRST LADY WE WORK THE TOTALS ON MANY NONPROFITS THAT SHE HELPED AND OVERSAW. I AM K THAT NO MATTER WHO GETS ELECTED BECAUSE I WORKED WITH THEM BEFORE, I WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM AGAIN. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MS. MENOR MCNAMARA.

>> MY LEADERSHIP STYLE IS COLLABORATION, TEAMWORK. I WANT TO SEE HOW BEST I CAN SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR AND COMPLEMENT THE SKILL SETS. I'VE WORKED WITH ALL THREE LEADING CANDIDATES.

JOSH GREEN, KAI KAHELE. AYE WORKED WITH THEM AT THE LEGISLATURE. I BRINGS AN ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS LEGISLATURE. FOR VICKY, I'VE WORKED WITH HER.

SHE IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. HOWEVER I WILL BRING THE 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE NAVIGATING LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEGISLATURE, DEPARTMENTS AND AD M -- ADMINISTRATION AND I'LL BRING THAT TO THE PICTURE. I BELIEVE MY LEADERSHIP STYLE AND EXPERIENCE THAT I WILL BRING WITH COMPLEMENT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. MY GOAL IS TO ENSURE THE GOVERNOR'S SUCCESSFUL FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> Gina: IN THE PAST FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR HAVEN'T ALWAYS AGREED OR BEEN FRIENDLY. DIFFERENT SITUATION. HOW WOULD YOU CREATE A MORE COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR EVEN IN TIMES WHEN YOU DISAGREE? MS. ANDERSON.

>> I SERVED ON THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL FOR 11 YEARS. MORE THAN SIX OF THE 11 YEARS, I WAS VICE CHAIR OF COUNCIL. NOT STARTING QUARTERBACK BUT STARTING RUNNING BACK.

LIKE WAIKIKI THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE PLAY THAT'S SAME ROLE AS STARTING RUNNING BACK. TO COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNOR MOVING FORWARD WITH POLICY. I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO DISAGREE. I DISAGREED WITH THE THREE COUNCIL CHAIRS I SERVED WITH ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.

WE ALWAYS DID OUR BEST TO HAVE OUR DISAGREEMENTS PRIVATELY. IT'S GOING TO BE MY JOB AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO HELP THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE EXECUTIVES POLICIES. DONE THAT AS VICE CHAIR OF HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL. MY TEAM'S READY TO DO NA AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> Gina: MS. LUKE. >> AS CHAIR OF MONEY COMMITTEE, I SERVED WITH THREE DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS THAT WAS DAVID DAVID IGE, JILL TOKUDA AND DONOVAN. THEY BRINGS DIFFERENT SKILL SETS, STYLES. I WAS ABLE TO SET ASIDE MAYBE PERSONAL DIFFERENCES AND WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE.

EVEN WITH THE CURRENT GOVERNOR WE'VE HAD DISAGREEMENTS BUT WE WITH WERE ABLE TO SET ASIDE THINGS AND COME TOTES AND WORKING REALLY HARD TO HELP THE PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC. I HELPED THE CURRENT GOVERNOR SIGNIFICANTLY TO DEPLOY THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT HE GOT, WE GOT FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. CONFIDENT REGARDLESS OF WHAT PERSONAL DIFFERENCES OR WHAT DIFFERENCES THERE ARE, WE ARE -- CONFIDENT I WITH WORK WITH WHOEVER THE GOVERNOR IS. >> MS. MCNAMARA. >> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHOULD RESPECT THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR.

THERE WILL BE TIMES WHERE WE DISAGREE BY THAT'S PART OF THE CONVERSATION. IN THE END IT WILL BE THE GOVERNOR'S CALL THE MY ROLE IS TO LISTEN TO VOICES OF PEOPLE, BRING IT TO THE GOVERNOR. TO HELP SUPPORT HIM OR HER ON COMING UP WITH COMPREHENSIVE COST OF LIVING PLAN, COST OF DOING BUSINESS PLAN OR WHATEVER ISSUES THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO TAKE ON. THAT'S THE ROLE I WANT TO TAKE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND EDGE SURE THAT I'M NOT COMPETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OR COMING UP WITH MY OWN POLICY AGENDA BUT MORE ABOUT HOW CAN I COMPLEMENT AND HELP HIS OR HER EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S THE BEST THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAWAI'I. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MR. AMEMIYA.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, THE GOVERNOR IS THE NUMBER ONE PERP IN THE STATE. I'D BE NUMBER TWO. I'M GOING TO BE THERE READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR ON HIS OR HER INITIATIVES. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A TEAM PLAYER AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A TEAM PLAYER AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I'VE HAD A VARIED CAREER AS AN ATTORNEY, SERVES ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RUNNING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTSER OR WORKING IN THE PRIVATE SEG TOR. ALL THOSE AREAS REQUIRED TEAM BUILDINGS, COMMINICATION, TRANSPARENCY, COMPROMISE AND I'LL BRING THOSE SKILLING SETS TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR WORKING FAMILIES OF OUR STATE. >> Gina: THANK YOU. DURING TONIGHT'S DEBATE OUR CANDIDATES WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO QUESTION EACH OTHER. EACH HAS PREPARED ONE QUESTION FOR EACH OPPONENT.

ASK YOUR FIRST QUESTION AND YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO ASK. RESPONDENT WILL HAVE 45 SECONDS TO ANSWER. MS. LUKE, YOU ASK FIRST. >> LET ME ASK MR. AMEMIYA. YOU HAVE SPENT THE LAST 12 YEARS WORKING ON BISHOP STREET WHICH IS THE CENTER OF FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL POWER IN HAWAI'I.

HOW ARE YOU NOT A POLITICALLER? >> I'VE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE A BROAD AND DIVERSE CAREER. I'VE WORKED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I'VE WORKED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. I'M CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR PERHAPS I'M BEST KNOWN WORKING AT HAWAI'I ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. I'VE BEEN LUCKY TO DEVELOP CONTACTS, TO DEVELOP NETWORKS IN EACH AND EF JOB I'VE HAD. BUT ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS I'VE USED THOSE CONTACTS NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN BUT FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY MO TRA. THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE MY MANTRA AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. SERVE THE PEOPLE, USE MY SKILL SETS, EXPERIENCE TO MAKE HAWAI'I A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYBODY. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MS. MENOR McNAMARA, YOUR QUESTION.

>> OKAY. THIS QUESTION IS FOR SYLVIA. HAWAI'I SUPREME COURT RULED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE PRACTICE KNOWN AS GUT AND REPLACE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. YOU DID IT AGAIN WHEN PLAYING GAMES FOR FUNDING WITH HTA AND PUT OUR MOST ECONOMIC DRIVER AT RISK OF YOU OVERAPPROACHED FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN BY OVER $104 MILLION. AS FINANCE CHAIR, WHY DID YOU DISREGARD THE RULE OF LAW BY CONTINUING TO USE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICE.

AND HOW DID YOU EXPLAIN YOUR MISTAKE WHICH FORCED THE GOVERNOR TO LINE ITEM VETO YOUR BUDGET BILL? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO CLARIFY. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GUT AND REPLACE, WE ARE LOOKING AT THINGS THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OR ANY KNOWLEDGE, THINGS GET DUMPED IN AT THE LAST MINUTE. THAT PRACTICE SHOULD NOT CONTINUE, AND I UPHOLD -- I HOLD THE CAPINGTY OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION AGAINST GUT AND REPLACE. HAWAI'I TOURISM AUTHORITY FUNDING IS NOT GUT AND REPLACE BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THEY NEEDED MONEY.

WE HAD DISCUSSION THROUGHOUT THE SESSION ABOUT THEM NEEDING $60 MILLION, IN THE END WHAT THEY GOT WAS $60 MILLION OF THE GOVERNOR HAS A PROJECTIVE TO WHRIEP IT -- LINE ITEM VETO IN ORDER TO MEAN SOME ONLY GAGES SO I RESPECT THAT. >> Gina: MR. AMEMIYA. >> MY QUESTION IS FOR MS. LUKE. YOU'VE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR 24 YEARS. YOU'VE RECEIVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DONATIONS FROM BIG BUSINESS UNIONS, LOBBYISTS INCLUDING DENNIS MITSUNAGA AND MILTON CHOY. HOW CAN YOU ASSURE THE PUBLIC YOU WON'T CONTINUE TO BE BEHOLDEN BY SPECIAL INTEREST? >> THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION.

I HAVE TO SAY NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY I RAISED I DIDN'T COMING CLOSE TO THE MONEY THAT MR. AMEMIYA RAISED IN ONE ELECTION CYCLE RUNNING FOR MAYOR. HE RAISES $2 MILLION.

TWO YEARS AGO, PUBLIC CORPORATION AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION SHOULD NOT RULE POLICY. I HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT DOES NOT DICTATE HOW I MAKE DECISION. HOW DECISIONS MADE AT THE LEGISLATURE. HOW I MAKE MY DECISIONS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TWO ARE SEPARATE. WHETHER YOU GET CONTRIBUTION OR NOT, THOSE ARE SEPARATE WITH HOW YOU DEAL WITH SITUATION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Gina: THANK YOU. MR. ANDERSON YOUR QUESTION. >> THANK YOU. MY FIRST QUESTION IS FOR MR. AMEMIYA. KEITH, YOU'RE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN CAUSE FOR WAIVING WATER, SEWER.

MASS LAND REZONING. ALL OF THESE MATTERS ARE UNDER JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY. WILL TAKE MONEY WAY FROM COUNTIES AND ARE NOT UNDER JURISDICTION OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. EXPLAIN PRECISELY HOW YOU WILL WAIVE FEESES AND REZOB REZONE L. >> AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS FAR AND AWAY THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING OUR STATE.

HAWAI'I HAS BECOME UNAFFORDABLE FOR WORKING FAMILIES STATEWIDE. WE NEED TO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. 65,000 UNITS SHORT OF DEMAND.

WE HAVE TO USE EVERY AVENUE POSSIBLE. IT WILL REQUIRE THE COOPERATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE. THERE IS NO ONE ENTITY THAT CAN SOLVE OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL DO WHAT I'VE DONE THROUGHOUT MY CAREER.

THAT'S USE MY NETWORKS, MY CONTACTS, BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO SOLVE OUR COMPLICATED ISSUES LIKE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT OUR STATE. THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. >> Gina: THANK YOU. WE HAVE TIME FOR A SHORT BREAK. STAY WITH US FOR MORE QUESTIONS WITH THE CANDIDATES. >> Gina: WELCOME BACK TO THE RACE FOR THE GENERAL.

TOP CANDIDATES FOR DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. WELCOME TO THE STAGE DAN GARDENER AN AARP VOLUNTEER AND A QUESTION FROM OUR SPONSOR. >> THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO CREATE A HAWAI'I RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM THAT WILL GIVE 215,000 HAWAI'I WORKERS AN EASY WAY TO SAVE THROUGH A PAYROLL DEDUCTION. MANY EMPLOYED BY SMALL BIGS ONLY HAVE 401(K)S. IT WILL BE UP TO THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION TO GET THE PROGRAM GOING.

CAN YOU TELLING US WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM IS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED SO ALL WORKERS WILL HAVE A SECURE RETIREMENT? >> Gina: SHERRY MENOR-McNAMARA. >> THANK YOU. I COMMEND AARP. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A COUPLE YEARS TO FINALLY PASS THE LEGISLATURE BUT IT DID. AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL WORK WITH AARP.

I WILL WORK WITH SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO I REPRESENT RIGHT NOW THROUGH MY ROLE AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ENSURE THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, AND WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS IT'S A PROACTIVE PROGRAM. IT'S ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO INVEST EARLY ON SO AS THEY MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR CAREERS OR TOWARDS RETIREMENT URGES THEY WHETHER HAVE A SAFETY NET IN PLACE. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MR. AMEMIYA. >> I LIKE THIS PROGRAM A LOT.

I SUPPORT IT AND I'LL DO WHATEVER I CAN TO WORK WITH OUR NEXT GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S IMPLEMENTED AND ENACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN GOING ACROSS THE STATE IN THIS CAMPAIGN OR EVEN IN YEARS PRIOR, TALKING TO FRIENDS AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS, SAVING FOR RETIREMENT IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR MANY PEOPLE ACROSS OUR STATE. THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS THAT OUR KUPUNA ARE MOVING OUT OF STATE IN DROVES. HAWAI'I HAS BECOME UNAFFORDABLE. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND WHY WE NEED CHANGE. >> Gina: MR. ANDERSON.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS QUESTION. AS ONE WHO TAKE CARE OF HIS OWN KUPUNA, MY POP IS NOW 90. TUTU 87. MY GRAND PARENTS RAISED ME. THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFF WILL HAVE A SOLID FRIEND IF I'M ELECTED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IN WORKING TO PRESERVE AND FUND THE HAWAI'I RETIREMENT SAVING THAT THIS BILL AUTHORIZES. I'LL BE WARING WITH THE NEXT GOVERNOR TO ENSURE WE HAVE THESE APPROPRIATIONS AS PART OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE. YOU CAN SEE IN THE BUDGET WHEN THE PROPOSAL GOES DOWN RATHER THAN WAITING FOR THE HOUSE WHICH IS WHERE THE BUDGET STARTS, TO PUT THESE MONIES IN. I WILL ASK THE NEXT GOVERNOR TO PLEASE COMMIT TO PUTTING THESE FUNDS IN THE EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET. >> Gina: MS. LUKE.

>> MAHALO TO AARP FOR THEIR FORESIGHT. THIS IS THE FIRST IN THE NATION WHERE WE, THE STATE, IS GIVING AN INCENTIVE FOR MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. LAST YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH AARP TO IMPLEMENT OR PASS THIS.

INVEST $25 MILLIONER INTO THIS PROGRAM. THIS WILL BE A 500,000 MATCH FOR THE FIRST 50,000 PEOPLE. THAT MEANS WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO GET THIS IMPLEMENTED CORRECTLY SO WE WITH CAN BE A LEADER IN THE NATION TO ENCOURAGE MANY OF OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT ON 401(K) PROGRAM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AND TAKE CARE OF RETIREMENT. AGAIN MAHALO TO AARP FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS ISSUE. >> Gina: AND THANK YOU TO AARP FOR PARTICIPATING WITH THAT GREAT QUESTION. WE HAVE A QUESTION NOW FROM A VIEWER WHO ASKS, HAWAI'I'S MIDDLE CLASS OFTEN FEELS STUCK, UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR GOVERNMENT HELP BUT LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

DO YOU HAVE A BIG IDEA TO HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS WITH HOUSING, EDUCATION OR OTHER ASSISTANCE? MR. AMEMIYA? >> I SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO, MOST IMPORTANT THING IS BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE'RE LOSING THE MIDDLE CLASS. WE ALMOST DON'T HAVE A MIDDLE CLASS IN HAWAI'I. IT'S THE ULTRA RICH AND EVERYONE ELSE. 90% OF OUR POPULATION SEEMS TO BE STRUGGLING.

I'M COMMITTED TO CLOSE THAT GAP IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I'M COMMITTED TO MAKE HAWAI'I MORE AFFORDABLE AGAIN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUNG FAMILIES, KUPUNA WHO SIMPLELY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE. THEY'RE LOSING HOPE.

THEY'RE MOVING AWAY IN DROVES. >> WE NEED TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING. >> Gina: THANK YOU.

MR. ANDERSON. >> OUR TEAM HAS TWO PRIMARY INITIATIVES FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS. ONE AS WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IS WORKFORCE HOUSING. AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OUR TEAM WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE VAST PORTFOLIO OF STATE OWNED LANDS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO DURING OUR YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL.

WHEN THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES LAND FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, IT ELIMINATING ONE OF THE HIGHIST HURDLES TO BUILDING HOUSING, LAND ACQUISITION COST. WE WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE THE 4% GENERAL EXCISE TAX ON FOOD, RENT, MEDICATION AND MEDICAL CARE SO WE CAN PROVIDE OUR MIDDLE CLASS FOLKS AS WELL AS THOSE LIVING FROM PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK WITH RELIEF NOW TO PROTENT AND PRESURF THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE IN HAWAI'IJ MS. LUKE.

>> THANK YOU. MY SON IS 20 YEARS OLD, AND HE'S IN COLLEGE NOW IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. I WORRY WILL WHETHER HE IS ABLE TO COME HOME AND LIVE AND THRIVE HERE. SO I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR OUR YOUNGER GENERATION. IT REALLY IS ABOUT HOUSING BUT IT'S MUCH MORE THAN HOUSING. IT'S ABOUT HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.

WHETHER HE CAN WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE, WORK IN D.C. OR JAPAN OR CONTINUE TO WORK IN THE SOUTH AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO LIVE HERE. IT'S ABOUT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE WAY TO DO IT IS REALLY TO DO IT THROUGH BROADBAND EXPANSION.

THE LAST TWO YEARS, BROADBAND HAS BECOME A UTILITY. WE NEED TO EXPAND TO MAKE SURE KIDS STAY HERE AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> Gina: MS. MENOR-McNAMARA. >> COST OFLISTIC, COST OF BUSINESS, HOUSING, SO MANY CHALLENGES.

ISSUES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, AND NOW IT'S GOTTEN WORK. WE HAVE TO COMING UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE COST OF LIVING PACKAGE. NOT A PIECE MEAL APPROACH. ADDRESSES EARLY CHILDHOOD, WAGES, ECONOMY, HOUSING AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, THAT IS ONE AREA WE CAN ININVESTMENT MORE. WE'RE WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING SO THEY CAN START WITH HIGHER PAY AND QUALITY JOBS ONCE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. WE NEED TO START EARLY ON TO ENSURE THAT ONE, WE CAN STRENGTHEN THIS PIPELINE TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AS WELL AS THOSE LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT JOBS SO THEY CAN GET PIER PAYING JOBS.

AND HELP THEM RESCALE AND RETRAIN. >> Gina: TIME FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF QUESTIONS FROM CANDIDATES. MR. OOPING ON, -- ANDERSON YOU'E FIRST. >> THIS IS FOR SYLVIA. YOU HAD OPPORTUNITY TO STRIP ENENTIA ENTIRE PENSIONS FROM CONVICTED FELONS.

YOU VOTED FOR HALF. YOU DID THIS WITHOUT REQUIRING THIS GILL TO GO TO COMPANIES -- CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. YOU AGREE CONVICTED FELL FELONS- >> THE BILL THAT LEFT HOUSE WHICH I SUPPORTED WAS TO ELIMINATE PENSION FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CONVICTED FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CONVICTED. THE PROBLEM THAT WE FACE WAS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE STATED THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN ONLY TAKE 50% OF THE PERCHINGS BECAUSE PENSION IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO WORK ON. WE NEED TO HAVE A SKIS ON THAT. UPHOLDING PUNLZING -- PUBLIC FRS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE. SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO PENALIZE INDIVIDUALS CONVICTS OF WRONGDOING IN STATE GOVERNMENT. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MS. LUKE, YOU HAVE THE NEXT

QUESTION. >> I WILL ASK MS. SHERRY MENOR-McNAMARA TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR IND PENSION FROM -- INDEPEE FROM THE CHAMBER. NAME THREE SPECIFIC POLICIES THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH. CHAMBER POLICIES THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH. >> FIRST OF ALL, I KNOW ANOTHER CANDIDATE HAD BROUGHT UP THAT THE CHAMBER OPPOSED MINIMUM WAGE.

WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS OPPOSED THE MILILANI WAGE. WE SUPPORTED IT IN 2020. AND WE SUPPORTED IT IN 2022. THIS YEAR.

2021, YES, WE DID OPPOSE IT BECAUSE WE HAVE SCENE FIRSTHAND BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES HOW PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED OUR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES. OUR JOBS AS SMALL BIG ADVOCATE WAS DO EVERYTHING TO KEEP THEIR DOOR OPEN. AND WE'RE STILL SEEING SMALLING BUSINESSES SUFFERING.

RECENTLY SAW DEAN'S DRIVE IN CLOSE THEIR DOOR AND HENLEY LOUIS. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING TO ENSURE THAT POLICIES THAT WE PASS WILL KEEP BUSINESSES OPEN, EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED AND OUR ECONOMY GOING. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MS. MENOR-McNAMARA YOU HAVE THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> MY QUESTION IS FOR KEITH. KEITH, WHEN THINGS WEREN'T GOINS TWO YEAR AGO, YOU RESORTED TO SLASH AND BURN 308 TICKS OF THE VOTERS REJECT THE BY 20%. RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, YOU SEEM TO BE CONTINUING ON NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN AND UNTRUE FACTS SOMETIMES. HOW DO YOU EXPECT OUR NEW GOVERNOR TO PLACE ANY TRUST IN YOU IF YOUR FIRST REACTION TO THINGS NOT GOING YU YOUR WAY IS BURN BRIDGES INSTEAD OF NOT BUILDING THEM? >> I STRONGLY DISAGREE.

WHEN IT CAME TO THE MAYOR'S RACE THERE WAS A CROWDED FIELD OF 15 CANDIDATES THE APPROXIMATE THERE THERE WERE SIMPLE SEASONED POLITICAL VETERANS. IN THE END TOP TWO WHERE FIRST TIME CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NEVER RIP FOR RUN POPULAR OFFICE. CLEAR THAT VOTERS LIKED MY MESSAGE. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TO THE GENERAL ELECTION. IT'S NOT ABOUT SLASHING AND BURNING. IT'S ABOUT ASKING QUESTIONS AND GETTING INFORMATION SO THE PUBLIC HAS ALL THE FACTS BEFORE THEY DECIDE WHO SHOULD BE OUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND IF THOSE QUESTIONS MAKE SOME CANDIDATES OR OPPONENTS UNCOMFORTABLE, SO BE IT. THAT'S WHY WE ARE RUNNING FOG FR OFFICE. IT'S A TOUGH JOB AND WE NEED TO ANSWER TOUGH QUESTIONS.

>> Gina: MR. AMEMIYA? >> MY QUESTION IS FOR IKAIKA ANDERSON. YOU LEFT YOUR SEAT ON CITY COUNCIL PREMATURELY TO WORK FOR A UNION THAT'S HEAVILY TIED WITH THE RAIL PROJECT.

YOU ALSO ACCEPTED TENS OF THOUSANDS IN DONATIONS FROM INSIDERS SUCH AS DENNIS MITSUNAGA WHO RECENTLY WAS INDICTED FOR CORPORATIONER BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. HOW CAN THE PUBLIC BE ASSURED THAT YOU WON'T LEAVE YOUR SEAT EARLY AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THAT YOU WON'T CONTINUE TO BE BEHOLDING TO SPECIAL INTEREST? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, KEITH. FAMILY MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. WHEN I STEPPED AWAY FROM THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL, I STEPPED AWAY WITH TO ENSURE MY GRAND PARENTS ARE OKAY. I SEVEN -- SERVE AS THEIR PRIMAY CAREGIVER. I WAS WORKING TO GET MY CHILDREN.

I STILL NEEDED TO BE EMPLOYED. I HAD LEGAL BILLS TO PAY. I HAD SPOUSE SUPPORT THAT I HAD TO COME UP WITH IN ADDITION TO TAKING CARE OF MY GRAND PARENTS. I WENT TO WORK AT A PLACE THAT WAS SECLUDED SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TAKING ANYTHING HOMES.

EMPLOYER ALLOWED ME THE FLEXIBILITY. WE'VE DONE ALL THAT. I'M A SINGLE DAD. ALL THESE ISSUES ARE BEHIND ALL OHANA. >> Gina: ONE MORE SHORT BREAK AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH MORE.

OF. >> Gina: WELCOME BACK TO THE RACE FOR THE GENERAL FEATURING TOP DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. ANOTHER QUESTION FROM AARP. AND FOR THAT WE WELCOME VOLUNTEER SUZANNE U THANK YOU. >> ALOHA. >> ALOHA.

>> WHAT WILL YOU DO TO SUPPORT THE 157,000 FAMILY CARE GIVERRING IN HAWAI'I THROUGH POLICIES SUCH AS ONE, ENHANCE RESPITE SERVICES, TWO, ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH, THREE, CAREGIVERRER EDUCATION AND TRACK, TRAINING, D FOUR, HELP WITH OUT OF POCKET COSTZ. THANK YOU. >> Gina: MS. LUKE. >>ING THANK YOU. MY DAD SUFFERED A STROKE WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND MY MOM NOT JUST HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER YOUNG KIDS INCLUDING MYSELF, SHE HAD TO BE A CAREGIVER FOR MY DAD. SO I KNOW THE DIFFICULTIES OF INDIVIDUALS CARING FOR THEIR LOVED ONES.

NOT JUST KUPUNA BUT MANY SPOUSES AND CHILDREN AS WELL. I WAS -- WITH THE HELP OF AARP WE WERE ABLE INSTRUMENTAL IN PASSING NOT JUST THE KUPUNA CAREGIVER BUT KUPUNA PROGRAM. THESE PROVIDE RESPITE PROGRAMS. THESE PROVIDE SUBSIDIES, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN A WAIT LIST. YOU WE WANT TO EXPAND TO MAKE SURE MANY KUPUNAS AND CARE GIVE EVERS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> Gina: MS. MENOR-McNAMARA. >> THAT'S SUCH A CRITICAL QUESTION. RECENTLY MY MOM HAS BEEN COMPLAINING OF A TOOTHACHE. SHE DOESN'T HAVE DENTAL INSURANCE, SHE FELT LET IT GO TO THE POINT WHERE HER KIDS SAID GO, WIL TAKE CARE OF IT. I MET LORNA IN WAIPAHU. LET GO BY A COMPANY.

AND SHE SPENT OVER 35 YEARS AT THIS COMPANY BUT WAS LET GO. NO INSURANCE. THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

>> OUR KUPUNA ARE 9 ARE THE ONET BUILT WHERE WE ARE. THEY SACRIFICED SO MUCH. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH AARP. AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE FIRST TO IDENTIFY WHAT KINDER OF ISSUES AND WHAT POLICIES THAT THEY BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE PASSED AND HOW THEY CAN BE BEST SUPPORTED. >> Gina: MR. AMEMIYA. >>> I SUPPORT ALL OF THE AARP INITIATIVES THAT WERE OUTLINED. HAWAI'I HAS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ELDERLY POPULATIONS IN THE STATE. WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE THEIR CARE.

MORE MANY REASONS. THEY -- DESERVE THE RESPECT THEY EVERYONED FOR WORKING AND RAISING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE. FROM A PERSONAL LEVEL, MY MOM IS ELDERLY. SHE NEEDS PERSONALIZED CARE. SHE IS MENTALLY ILL. SERVICES THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE INVALUABLE.

I CANNOT FATHOM IF THESE SERVICES WERE ELIMINATED AND SHE WASN'T ABLING TO GET THE CARE SHE NEEDS AND GIVENS. THANK YOU. >> Gina: MR. ANDERSON. >> YOU THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

TWO OF THE PRIORITIES FOR THE AARP THAT PARTICULARLY INTERESTED OUR TEEM, LONG-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR KUPUNA AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP. I'D LIKE TO WORK ON BOTH THESE. AS A CARE GIVER, MINE GET TO AGE IN HOPE HOME IN PLACE. MY CHILDREN HELPING TO CARE FOR THEM AND MY MOTHER AND STEPFATHER LIVING 15 MINUTES AWAY. NOT MANY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE LONG TERM REN RENTAL ASTANGS. I WOULD ASK THE GOVERNOR TO FUND IN THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET BEFORE IT GOES DOWN TO THE LEGISLATURE. SO THE LINE ITEM IS THERE.

SAME WITH HEALTHY AGING. THESE ARE CRUCIAL. >> Gina: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ZU SUZANNE AND AARP.

KNOW QUESTION FROM OUR VIEWERS. LOOKING BACK ON TWO YEARS OF COVID IMPACTS AND LOOKING AHEAD AT POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY FROM THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION? AND WHAT IDEASES DO YOU HAVE TO HELP HAWAI'I BOUNCE BACK? MS. MENOR-McNAMARA? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. PAST COUPLE YEARS OBVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN SIC SUCH A CHALLENGE.

OUR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES, WORKING FAMILIES, OUR YOUTH, OUR KEIKI. SO MANY. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER. NOW THAT WE HAVE SOME PLAY BOOK, WE SHOULD BE STARTING NOW AND PLANNING FOR ANOTHER PLAY BOOK IN THE EVENT ANOTHER SITUATION OCCURS. WE HOPE NOT BUT JUST IN CASE.

WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THAT MOMENT. NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WAS THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND THE LACK OF OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY. FOR EXAMPLE THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. THEY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENSURE THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS WERE PROTECTED WITH STAIR THEIR SAFETY AND HEFTY PROTOCOLS.

BY THE SECOND SHUTDOWN THEY WERE NOT CONSULTED TO SEE WHAT IS A WORKABLE SOLUTION SO DOOR COULD STAY -- OPEN IN A SAFE WAY AND INSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE. THAT'S WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY. >> Gina: CAN OUR TIME KEEPER ADD ANOTHER 20 SECONDS TO EACH OF THESE CANDIDATES RESPONSES TO BALANCE THAT OUT? YOU'LL HAVE JUST OVER A MINUTE. NEXT IS MR. AMEMIYA.

>>ED THE PANDEMIC WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION FOR ALL OF US. IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION OR ADMINISTRATIONS ACROSS OUR STATE TO KNOW WHAT DO DO. THERE'S KNOW PLAY BOOK. I THOUGHT THEY DID THEIR BEST. WHAT I WOULD HAVE LOOKED TO AND IMPROVE UPON IS BETTER COMMUNICATION. THERE WERE MANY TIMES, WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENT, THERE WAS CONFLICTING INFORMATION BETWEEN STATE GOVERNMENT AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SO THE PUBLIC WAS CONFUSED AS TO WHAT THEY COULD AND COULDN'T DO. IT CAUSED A LOT OF STRESS AND ADDED TO THE STRESS. MOVING FORWARD, WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY. I WISH WE SPENT THE LAST TWO YEARS TO BETTER DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY. WE SAW THE IMPACTS OF OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY, TOURISM, WHEN IT CAME TO A STANDSTILL.

WE NEED TO DIVERSES FIE OUR ECONOMY NOW SO WE'RE NOT PUT IN THAT SAME SITUATION AGAIN. FOCUS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE, HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND MANY MORE INDUSTRIES SO WE'RE NOT RELYING ON TOURISM AGAIN. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MR. ANDERSON.

>>> LIKE TO STARTS BY THANKING GOVERNOR DAVID IGE FOR THE MANDATES HE PUT IN IN PLACE THAT KEPT HAWAI'I SAFE. GOVERNOR, YOU WERE PUT IN A TOUGH PLACE. YOU'RE TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR ACTIONS. THANK YOU. WHAT I DO FEEL IS THAT THE POLICIES COULD HAVE BEEN MORE CONSISTENT AND THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN CLEARER COMMUNICATION FROM OTHERS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION AS TO HOW THE POLICY IS GOING TO WORK AND JIEWFTIONZ FOR -- JUSTIFICATION FOR THE POLICIES. I CAN SPEAKING TO THIS DUE TO EXPERIENCE.

WHEN COVID START IT'SED, I MADEE DECISION TO CLOSED THE CITY COUNCIL.. WE CONDUCTED SAME DAY VOLUNTARY TEST TESTING FOR ANY EMPLOYEE WHO WANTED TO BE TESTS. I'M IN NO WAY CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR. I'M PLEASED AND HONORED TO LIVE IN A STATE THAT WITH A GOVERNOR WHO CARED SO MUCH ABOUT US AND TRIED SO HARD.

>> Gina: MS. LUKE. >> THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. >> IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN. ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED WAS THAT A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE COULDN'T GO BACK TO WORK. SCHOOL WAS SHUT DOWN AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ALTERNATIVES. LOOKING BACK, IT'S EASY TO SECOND GUESS BUT WE WERE ALL GUESSING.

STATE THE HOUR, EVEN THE NATION. EVERYONE TRIED THEIR BEST. CONSIDERING WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN BASICALLY A CENTURY, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED NOW IS DESCRERNENNING -- STRENGTHENING WHAT WE HAVE BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCES. LOOKING AT WAYS TO STRENGTHEN STATE LABS, WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTHCARE ACCESS. HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WHEN OUR SCHOOLS ARE SHUT DOWN, WE PROVIDE CHILD CARE SERVICES AND LUNCHES TO MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED HELP.

I THINK WE LIPPED A -- LEARNED A LOT AND WE CAN USE THOSE EXPERIENCES FOR FUTURE DISASTER. >> Gina: THANK YOU. MORE TIME ON THAT VIEWER QUESTION SO SHORTEN THIS TO 30 SECONDS. HAWAI'I'S PRASE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS HAVE GONE ON TO HOLD A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT OFFICES OR MOVE OUT OF POLITICAL ARENA. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE POLITICAL AMBITIONS.

MR. AMEMIYA. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY FUTURE PLANS OR AMBITIONS OTHER THAN SERVING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. I'VE COMMITTED TO RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. I'M COMMITTING MY NEXT FOUR YEARS IF FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ELECTED.

THE STATE HAS TOO MANY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES TO LOOKING BEYOND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR NEXT GOVERNOR TO SOLVE THE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS FACING OUR STATE TODAY. >> Gina: MR. ANDERSON. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO COMPLEMENTING THE NEXT GOVERNOR AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND IF CALLED, IF THE NEED ARISES, I WILL BE PREPARED TO SERVE AND LEAD OUR STATE AS GOVERNOR. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I WILL POINT OUT, I WAS A GOVERNMENT RETIREE WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KAISMG. -- CAME. I DIDN'T PLAN IN ADVANCE THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD DO. WE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WE WILL COMBLEAT COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNOR. >> Gina: MS. LUKE. >> THIS IS THE JOBBER I WANT. WHEN I LOOKED A IT, I COULD HAVE RAN FOR MY REGULAR SEAT IN THE STATE HOUSE.

WHAT I RECOGNIZED IS WE NEEDED SOMEBODY WITH A OPERATIONS TYPE OF PERSON. SOMEBODY WHO UNDERSTANDS THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND BUDGET TO HELP THE GOVERN. THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THIS IS THE JOB I WANT. >> Gina: MS. MENOR-McNAMARA. >> I'VE BEEN WITH THE CHAMBER 16 YEARS.

CAN IMPACT OUR BUSINESSES AND WORKING FAMILIES AND MANY IN OUR STATE. FOR ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE FUTURE. IT'S ABOUT NOW HAD. HOW CAN I MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE. MAKING SURE HIS OR HER AGENDA IS SUCCESSFUL FOR THE PEOPLE. I'M NOT LOOKING DOWN THE FUTURE.

IT'S NOW. END OF THE TERM I DO HOPE WITH MY PARTNERSHIP STYLE, COLLABORATION, LEADERSHIP, HAWAI'I WILL BE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. >> Gina: WE HAVE PLOR -- MORE TE FOR CANDIDATES TO ASK EACH OTHER. MR. ANDERSON YOU'RE FIRST. >> SHERRY YOU'VE NEVER SERVED IN ELECTED OFFICE. AND AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, YOU WOULD NEED TO BE READY TO BECOME STATE'S GOVERNOR AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.

IT'S 2:00 A.M. YOU RECEIVED A CALL GOVERNOR'S FALLEN GRAVELY ILL I AND YOUR SERVICES ARE NEEDED. WHAT DO YOU DO? >> I HAVE BEEN IN EXECUTIVE POSITION. A STATEWIDE POSITION REPRESENTS BUSINESSES ACROSS THE ISLAND.

I DO HAVE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE. I ALSO EEL REALIZE THE TEAM THE GOVERNOR PUTS TOGETHER WILL HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL ENSURE THAT I CAN JUMP IN WITH THAT LEADERSHIP STYLE AND PUT FULL FAITH IN A TEAM THAT THE GOVERNOR CREATES WHICH IS HIS CABINET TO ENSURE OUR WORK CAN CONTINUE SMOOTHLY. IT'S ABOUT HOW I LEAD AND STYLE I LEAD AND HAVING CONFIDENCE IN THE TEAM THE GOVERNOR PUTS TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES, FILL THE POSITION.

IN THE EVENT THE GOVERNOR CANNOT FILL-UP HIS OUR HER POSITION. >> THANK THANK YOU. >> Gina: MS. LUKE. >> MR. ANDERSON, YOU TALK A LOT

ABOUT BEING AN ELECTED EXECUTIVE. BUCK STOPS WITH YOU. LARGEST PUBLIC WORK'S PROBLEM IN THE STATE'S HISTORY. MISMANAGED AND OVERBUDGET THE. HOW IS THAT BEING A GOOD EXECUTIVE? >> AS YOU KNOW, SYLVIA, WHEN RAIL WAS FIRST STARTED, THE HONOLULU AUTHORITY FOR RAPID TRANSPORTATION WAS MADE A PART OF HONOLULU CITY CHARTER BEFORE I TOOK OFFICE.

THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL'S ROLE AND MAYOR'S ROLE IN RAIL IS APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE HART'S BUDGET. THAT'S IT. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HONOLULU AUTHORITY FOR RAPID TRANSPORTATION DOESN'T ANSWER TO HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL OR ELECTED OFFICIAL.

WHAT I DID DO BEFORE I LEFT THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL, I OFFERED A RESOLUTION TO DISSOLVE THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THAT WAS MY FINAL ACTION. ONE OF THEM AS COUNCIL CHAIR.

I DID WHAT I COULD YOU TO DISSOLVE HART AND TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE AUTHORITY EVER THIS PROJECT UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF OUR LENT THE OFFICIALS. MY COLLEAGUES DISAGREED AND THAT RESOLUTION WENT NOWHERE. >> Gina: MS. MAKAHA. >> -- MENOR-McNAMARA. >> KEITH YOU MENTIONED LACK OF AUTHORITY. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE THE DREAM OF A FIRST TIME HOME OWNERSHIP.

YOU PURCHASED A UNIT 4511 FOR $375,000. YET NOW THE TURNAROUND IS HIGHER HIGHER. YOU ALREADY OWNERSHIP A BEAUTIFUL HOME IN NUUANU. DO YOU THINK IT WAS RIGHT FOR SOMEONE LIKE YOU TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM A LOCAL FAMILY SO YOU COULD TURN A PROFIT? >> I'M SHOCKED.

ALL THE MEDIA WHO QUESTIONED ME ABOUT IT AND RESEARCHED THE ISSUE CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE, THE PURCHASE WAS LEGAL AND PROPER. THAT'S A FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENT OF WORK FORCE HOUSING, TO ALLOW MARKET RATE HOUSING AND OFF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING CLASS FAMILIES. I PURCHASED IT LEGALLY.

YOUR KNOW THAT. YOU KNOW BETTER AND I'M VERY SURPRISED YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. >> Gina: MR. AMEMIYA, YOUR

QUESTION. >> THIS IS A COIN DENTS BUT MY QUESTION IS FOR MS. MENOR-McNAMARA. YOU'VE RUN THE CAPTAIN BER -- CE YER FOR 16 YEARS. FIRST 14 YEARS YOU STRONGLY OPPOSED RAISING MINIMUM RAGE, AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE. UNTIL THIS YEAR YOU STRONGERLY OPPOSED SHUTTING DOWN RED HILL.

HOW AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CAN WORKING FAILINGS TRUST -- FAMILS TRUST THAT YOU'LL ACT IN THEIR BEST INTEREST. >> YOU MENTIONED A NUMBER OF YEARS. DURING THAT TIME I WAS NOT LEADING THE CHAIRMAN CHAMBER. WHEN I DID BECOME PRESIDENT, I DID ADVOCATES TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE. 2020 WE SUPPORTED IT, AND IN 2013 I BELIEVE IT WAS WE DID NOT OPPOSE THE FINAL OUTCOME AND THIS YEAR WE DID SUPPORT AN INCREASE. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT'S MY JOB AT THE CHAMBER. ENSURE THEY CAN KEEP THEIR DOOR OPENED AND EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED. AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I UNDERSTAND THAT I'M SERVING THE PEOPLE, AND WITH THAT SAID, I WILL SOLICIT THE INPUT FROM COMMUNITY, FROM ALL PEOPLE IN HAWAI'I TO TO ENSURE THAT WHEN E COME UP WITH A POLICY AGENDA, IT REPRESENTS THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE. >> Gina: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME. CLOSING STATEMENTS. ORDER DECIDED IN ADVANCE WITH A DRAWING.

MS. SHERRY MENOR-McNAMARA, ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU. I'M A PROUD JAPANESE-FILIPINA RAISED IN HILO AND GRADUATE FROM THE WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL. I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE FROM THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS.

I WAS RAISED WITH VALUES OF RESPECT, HARD WORK AND COMMUNITY. I'M SURE WE'RE TIRED OF THE DISFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND GOVERNOR. AND WASTING TAXPAYERS' MONEY AND IMPEDING PROGRESS.

WE'RE SICK AND TIRED OF THE CONTINUED POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS, CORPORATION AND SCANDAL THAT WEAKENS PUBLIC SUPPORT OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. TO MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED A FRESH START. ISLE BRING REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.

I'VE SPENT MY CAREER WORKING WITH SMALL AND LOCAL BIG, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND SOLVING PROBLEMS. NOW, I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE I WANT TO GET THE JOB DONE AND GET REAL RESULTS. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, I KNOW WE CAN DO THIS. WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THIS, HAWAI'I.

MY NAME IS SHERRY MENOR-McNAMARA AND I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND I HUMBLY ASK FOREYOUR VOTE. >> Gina: THANK YOU. A MINUTE 15 FOR OTHERS. MR. AMEMIYA. >> I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE WE NEED CHANGE. I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE THAT'S NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN OR LOBBYIST AND ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE WITH A REAL PLAN TO CLEAN UP CORPORATION AT THE CAPITOL.

THAT STARTS WITH BANNING CONTINUED RAISERS DURING LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATIONING AND IMPOSING TERM LIMITS. THEY'VE RECEIVEDDED MILLIONS IN DONATIONS FROM LOBBYISTS BIG BUSINESS, UNIONS AND INSIDERS. THEY RECEIVED HUNDREDINGS OF, AUTHORIZES FROM INSIDERS LIKE MITT MITER DENNIS MITSUNAGA AND MILTON CHOY RECENTLY INDICTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FOR CORPORATION. IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE, NEW LEADERSHIP AND FRESH PERSPECTIVE. IT'S TIME FOR UNITED US TO WORK. I ASK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTE.

I KNOW THAT IF WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A IS BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL OF US INCLUDING OUR YOUNGINGER GENERATIONS. ALOHA AND MAHALO. >> Gina: MR. ANDERSON.

>> PEOPLE OF HAWAI'I I'M OFFERING TO SERVE AS YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO HELP US PROTECT THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND BE ABLE TO MOVE OUR COMIEJTH -- COMMUNITIE. WE NEED TO BUILD WORKFORCE HOUSING. BUILD MORE KAU HALE FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES SO WE CAN TAKE OUR HOMELESS FAMILIES OUT OF AREAS WIK LIKE WAIKIKI AND BE ABLE TO SERVICE THEM. WE NEED TO WORK TO PROTECT OUR OHANA.

CHANGE THE PARADIEM FROM BRINGING IN MORE TO BRING INNING QUALITY. AS A SINGLE DAD, IT MEANS EVERYTHING. FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT. I WANT A BETTER HAWAI'I FOR YOUR OHANA AS WELL AS MINE. TOGETHER WE'LL HAVE AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE NEXT GOVERNOR AND NEXT STATE ADMINISTRATION TO DO ALL THESE THINGS TO PROTECT OUR HAWAI'I.

I'M IKAIKA ANDERSON, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. WORKING FOR EVERYONE ACROSS HAWAI'I, ACROSS EVERY SINGLE ISLAND. THERE'S ROOM FOR EVERY COMMUNITY ON OUR CAMPAIGN.

AND I INVITE YOU, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE JOIN US. [SPEAKING HAWAIIAN] THANK YOU. >> MS. LUKE. >> MAHALO TO KHON AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

LET ME TOLLING YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF. I WAS BORN IN SOUTH KOREA. I CAME HERE AT NINE.

COULDN'T SPEAK A WORD OF ENGLISH. I HAD THIS I THINK TERRIFIC FIFTH GRADE TEACHER. TO TEACH ME ENGLISH. THAT'S WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT HAWAI'I. PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF OTHERS IN NEED. THAT'S WHAT IN SPIRTED ME -- INSPIRED TO RUN FOR OFFICES.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS PRPGHTS GETTING POSSESSED. SIGNED UP 600 PEOPLE TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG. I HEMSD THE -- HELPED THE GOVERR OVERSEE MILLIONS OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP PEOPLE LIKE RENT SUBSIDIES. I WAS ALREADY DOING WHAT I ENVISIONED A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COULD DO, AND I DID IT BECAUSE I KNOW STATE GOVERNMENT ANDITION KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE. I WILL BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT WILL BE AN HONOR TO SERVE AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

MAHALO. >> Gina: MAHALO TO ALL THE CANDIDATES AND ALL. YOU WATCHING.

STAY TUNED TOMORROW NIGHT. LEADING DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR. 7 P.M. ON KHII AND 9 P.M. KHON. PLEASE VOTE BY AUGUST 13.

MAHALO AND ALOHA FOR WATCHING.

2022-07-14 21:56

Other news