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Civil Beat sent the three leading governor candidates the same letter and questionnaire.

The letter and questions are below. To read their answers, go to their respective topic pages:

• Neil Abercrombie
• James “Duke” Aiona
• Mufi Hannemann

Dear governor candidate:

At Civil Beat we’re trying to provide our readers with an understanding of the critical issues facing the state and of how the candidates for governor think. Together with our reporter on your race, Chad Blair, I have prepared a list of 10 questions that Civil Beat would like you to answer. We are providing exactly the same questions to your rivals. Our plan is to do something similar to the way we’ve handled your responses to our questions about your positions on education. We will publish a series of articles based on your responses to these questions and we will make them available on the site in their entirety.

I would be happy to discuss this project with you personally if you have any questions. My contact information is at the bottom of this e-mail. We would ask that you return the completed questionnaire no later than end of the day Wednesday Aug. 11.

We appreciate your serious consideration of these questions and look forward to sharing your answers with the people of Hawaii.

Mahalo,

J

1) Do you believe that Hawaii’s tax structure is fair and equitable? Would you want to change it in any way? If so, how?

2) Would you support business development programs that offer 100 percent tax credits, the way Act 221 did? If so, why? If not, why not?

3) Do you favor the Big Wind project? If so, why? If not, why not?

4) How would you address the crisis in affordable housing in Hawaii?

5) Hawaii receives very low ratings as a business-friendly state. What, if anything, would you change about state policies or regulations to help grow small businesses in Hawaii?

6) What is the state’s role when it comes to addressing homelessness and what is the county’s role? What would you do differently from Gov. Linda Lingle to address homelessness?

7) Why would you make a better governor than either your primary opponent or your possible general election opponent?

8) What is the best thing Gov. Linda Lingle did as governor? Why?
What is the worst thing that she did? Why?

9) Both Gov. Linda Lingle and Gov. Ben Cayetano had contentious relationships with the state Legislature. What would you do to foster a productive working relationship between the two branches?

10) Who was the greatest governor in Hawaii history and why?

The articles based on the questionnaire:

• Gov Wannabes Want Business Climate Change
• Fifth Floor Diplomacy From Duke, Mufi ‘n’ Neil
• Gov Candidates Pitch Housing, Homeless Plans