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The occasion was a gubernatorial forum held at Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona. It was the first gubernatorial forum on the Big Island‘s west side this year.

The leading Democrats in the race, former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and former Congressman Neil Abercrombie, had their talking points down and delivered them within the 90-second time limit — and if they went over, they ignored it.

By now, their answers are often boilerplate, rehashed in this case for an audience of several hundred that probably hadn’t heard them yet.

For example, when asked what they would bring to the job, they answered this way:

Mufi: It’s about management, this is not a legislative job, county mayors love him, he left Honolulu better than he found it.

Neil: He’s been having a conversation with the state, water connects the islands, diversity does not divide us, no more politics as usual.

But both men also demonstrated knowledge of pressing issues for local residents, like fixing Honokohau Harbor and Kona International Airport, and improving health care access for rural communities.

Civil Beat recaps the Kailua-Kona forum, a casual but substantive affair.

The forum was sponsored by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kohala Coast Resort Association, West Hawaii Today, Kona Outdoor Circle, Tante’s Restaurant, Rotary Sunrise, Kona Community Enterprises and Atherton Family Foundation. Earlier in the day the candidates spoke privately with the Hawaii Healthcare Alliance Forum.

Debate moderator Sherry Bracken of LAVA 105.FM (the forum was broadcast live for two hours without a break) told Civil Beat that Duke Aiona would not participate in any forums before the primary election.

Bracken’s questions and those from the audience covered Big Island issues but also broader statewide topics. Here are some highlights:

What are their top priorities?

Neil: Turn hundreds of millions of federal dollars into paychecks through energy independence, food security, revived agriculture, improved education.

Mufi: The economy, jobs, rail.

What was their toughest question?

Neil was asked about his statement to West Hawaii Today that he would take the Hawaii Tourism Authority‘s $70 million budget and use it to improve infrastructure like Honokohau Harbor.

“How will you market tourism, then?” asked Bracken.

Abercrombie replied that it sounds a lot easier to take the HTA’s money than to actually do it. His point, he said, was that the hotel tax should be used to “advance the social and physical infrastructure…let’s make everything clean, green and beautiful.”

Mufi was asked how rail matters to Big Island residents and to help them understand how they would not have to pay for it with higher taxes.

Mufi replied, “Don’t believe that. Oahu taxpayers will foot the bill. Our financial plan was vetted and scrutinized on the federal level…(with rail) you will find an enhanced quality of life when you come to Oahu.”

Demonstration of Big Island smarts?

Mufi: Honokohau Harbor needs help, the University of Hawaii system needs to be expanded on the west side, Kau needs a gym and an emergency system, the Kona Airport modernization plan is behind schedule.

Neil: Honokohau Harbor needs help, the University of Hawaii system needs to be expanded on the west side, Kau needs water, agriculture could use federal help.

Dropped local name?

Mufi: Billy Kenoi.

Neil: Richard Ha.

Mufi V. Neil

Now, back to those well-worn talking points from Abercrombie and Hannemann, and a few fresh digs.

Familiar phrases?

Mufi: from day one, at the end of the day, time and time again, executive experience, private-sector experience, county mayors, he will be the champion of (fill in the blank).

Neil: on day one, invest in human capital, our diversity defines us not divides us, a new day is coming to Hawaii, real-estate speculators, University of Hawaii.

Fun jab made at each other?

Neil to Mufi: “I don’t see why people have to leave the Kona Coast and move to Oahu to work on an imaginary rail system.”

Mufi to Neil: “Airports are vital to tourism — it is your No. 1 industry. Airports are not just for flying in real estate speculators.”

Never fails to mention?

Mufi: “The EIS for rail is on the governor’s desk.”

Neil: “Farmers farm because they want to make money. If you are not farming you are gardening.”

Also In Attendance

Republican candidate John Carroll and independent candidates Tony Clapes and Daniel Cunningham also participated in the Kealakehe High School forum.

A brief summary of their remarks:

Carroll cracked jokes and talked about eliminating the Jones Act.

Clapes struggled to keep his answers under 90 seconds.

Cunningham said the country is headed to a Fourth Reich because of the Federal Reserve Bank and electricity companies.

The debate took two hours — and barely a soul left before it was over.

When they wrapped up, the audience gave the candidates a round of applause.