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How appropriate Kauai’s joint governor-lieutenant governor debate was held at the War Memorial Convention Hall on Hardy Street in Lihue. The race for governor, after all, is a fight to the finish, and the polls show it remains close.

On the plate Tuesday night: education, business, agriculture, health — and opponents taking shots at each other.

The debate, sponsored by the Kauai Chamber of Commerce, was split in two: one hour for the LG candidates, followed by an hour for their would-be bosses.

With Abercrombie and Aiona dominating the campaign, it was the first time a lot of voters have seen Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Brian Schatz and Republican nominee Lynn Finnegan side by side.

What did they have to say? Let’s break it down into digestible portions.

He Said, She Said

The Quick-Take Both stuck to their respective script. In Schatz’s case, that government can do good things for people. In Finnegan’s case, that government must live within its means.

Where They Agreed Both candidates, who are working parents with experience in the state House, like charter schools and want an appointed school board.

Where They Disagreed On whether the Lingle administration did enough to get federal support on medical reimbursements. She says yes (“More children are actually covered now”), he says no (“We lost out on dollars we were entitled to”).

Best Line Schatz: “Vetoing bills does not constitute an economic strategy.” Finnegan: “Vetoing bills is not an economic strategy but protecting families and individuals from growing costs and taxes.”

Fresh Topic Genetically modified food. They both oppose it for taro because of its core place in Hawaiian culture, but they are open to GMOs for other crops.

Novel Idea Require locally grown produce to be used in schools and prisons.

Biggest Swipe Finnegan dinged Schatz on tax increases brought on by his fellow Democrats during recent sessions, after he left office in 2006. “You’ve been detached the past four years,” she observed. Schatz countered that “there must me a reason” that Kauai’s mayor and four state legislators all endorsed the Democratic ticket.

Awkward Moment Finnegan used the remainder of her time on the GMO question to give that “economic strategy” zinger, but then was reprimanded by moderator Ron Mizutani (of KHON2) for not sticking to the debate rules. That seemed schoolmarmish on Mizutani’s part.

Audience Moment As Schatz was making his closing remarks, which included the line about getting Kauai endorsements, someone in the audience said “Don’t go there.”

“Please,” responded Schatz. “Let’s be respectful.”

Both candidates did their bosses proud.

He Said, He Said.

Maybe I’ve seen one too many debates and candidate forums, but it seems Abercrombie and Aiona have reached that point in the campaign where they’re pretty sick and tired of listening to each other.

Regardless, here’s the rundown:

The Quick-Take Abercrombie says it’s about leadership and federal dollars. Aiona says it’s about political balance and fiscal responsibility.

Where They Agreed Decision-making needs to be made at the school level, and continuing to dedicate a portion of the barrel tax for energy and agricultural development.

Where They Disagreed Audit for the Hawaii Department of Education. (Aiona says yes, Abercrombie says no.)

Best Line Abercrombie: “Government is not the enemy; the governor is the extension of the will of the people.” Aiona: “Neil, this is our eighth debate forum and you keeping bringing up how we haven’t done anything with education for the last eight years. But for 40 years Democrats have been in charge of the Legislature and they haven’t done anything.”

Fresh Topic Card checks. Abercrombie endorses the right of workers to organize by signing a card, while Aiona says it’s bad legislation and unnecesary.

Novel Idea At this point in the election, none.

Biggest Swipe At this point in the election, everything is a swipe.

Awkward Moment After Aiona delivered that bon mot on Democrats and 40 years at the Legislature, Abercrombie asked for rebuttal time. Ron Mizutani replied, “No, there is no rebuttal time.”

Audience Moment When Aiona called for medical malpractice reform, a woman in the audience hissed.

Bonus Feature How long it took Abercrombie to mention “federal dollars”: 15 minutes. How long it took Aiona to mention the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative: four minutes.