The Plaza Posses
October 15th, 2008 by Peter BoylanPoliticians roll deep.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City councilmember Ann H. Kobayashi met for the first time since the September 20 primary at the Honolulu Advertiser's "Eye on Hawaii" forum at The Plaza Club downtown this morning.
The event, billed as a chance for the candidates to take questions from invited business leaders and citizens, was a lively affair that exposed both Hannemann and Kobayashi to a variety of queries.
Donald G. Horner, president First Hawaiian Bank, asked about how the candiates transit projects would be phased in.
Richard Smiley of Hawaii Kai asked the candidates why should voters trust them.
But soon the supporters of each candidate couldn't help themselves.
In Mufi's corner, Christine H.H. Camp, president of Avalon Development, asked Kobayashi about whether her EzWay transit plan had been subjected to an environmental impact study.
Kobayashi said portions of the plan had.
City administration technology advisor Keith Rollman, who pointed out he was on vacation, asked Kobayashi if she still supported the Phileas Bus system.
Kobayashi said she doesn't like naming companies and pointed out how certain countries utilize similar bus technology as parts of successful transit plans.
In Ann's corner, Dennis Callan of Stop Rail Now issued a comment/asked a question about whether the Mayor had any proof that federal fundng for rail existed.
Hannemann replied that the word of Hawaii's congressional delegation is good as gold and that his rail transit project had their full faith and backing.
Martin D.Schiller , owner of The Schiller Agency who does work for the Kobayashi campaign, asked Hannemann whether he would committ to staying in office for four years.
Mufi called him out immediately, asking Shiller who he worked for before answering that he'd at least like the chance to consider other opportunites in 2010 and wanted to be clear about it.
City information officer Johnny Brannon, a former city hall reporter at The Advertiser, asked Kobayashi how she could stand up there "with a straight face and lie" about her handling of a 2004 landfill extension vote.
Kobayashi told Brannon to show her proof that she lied, caling his assertion "irresponsible."
And so on and so forth.
The forum's moderator, Advertiser editorial and opinion editor Jeanne Mariani-Belding, suggested that next time those directly involved with the individual campaigns should step back and let some other people, you know, members of the public, ask questions.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:32 am
we all know that these kind of public debates where questions are asked by the audience are riddled with political strategy - candidates plant folks to ask poignant questions to the opponent. And it turns out to be a cut-throat discussion.
It should have an independent moderator who formulates the questions to minimize potential bias and have both candidates answer the same question. This way, realistic responses are obtained. This forum was an exercise in futility. Nothing was accomplished except accusations.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Regarding federal funding and Hannemann's answer, I have another question: What if our congressional delegation changes in the next few years? Neither Dan is a spring chicken, and there's been talk of Abercrombie leaving Washington to run for Governor.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Hey! People involved in campaigns ARE members of the public!
And, it makes no difference who asks a question - regardless of affiliation, a question is good or bad no matter who asks it. Classic ad hominem argument.
Allow a mild rant on the issue of running for another office in mid-term. We've given Mufi an eviction notice -- in 2012, you're out of here. I can't see why we should complain if he runs for something else in 2010. Why should he wait to be evicted? He wants to continue in public service, he'd be a fool to wait to 2012 and then look around for another office. I realize there are benefits of term limits, there are also negatives and this is one of them -- anyone term-limited who wants to continue to serve will very likely not remain their entire term. So be it.
Congratulations to Mufi for being forthright about his intentions.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:03 am
My beef with Muffi is that he has opposed allowing the tax payer to approve or deny the project. If it is approved by a majority then I am on board.
Aloha,
Keahi