Aiona Would Hold Office Prayers as Governor
There wasn’t much news in Friday’s governor debate, but kudos to KITV reporter Denby Fawcett for pinning James “Duke” Aiona down on a question of religion and government.
The question came two days after Aiona held a press conference where he decried “negative” attacks by a senior member of his opponent’s campaign on his association with a religious group, Tranformation Hawaii, and its alleged connection with Christian conservative groups linked to persecution of homosexuals in Uganda. Questions about religion also surfaced in this campaign when the chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party sent a letter to “Pastors and Brothers/Sisters in Jesus Christ,” saying that “only a faithful Church will elect Duke in the general election.”
Read the transcript below.
Denby Fawcett: As lieutenant governor, you held Christian prayer meetings in your state Capitol office. And you accepted free travel to a religious convention in Argentina. Since you say you respect the separation of church and state, will you now say that you will continue to hold prayer services in the governor’s office if you are elected.
Duke Aiona: (Looking a little uncomfortable and glancing down at his notes several times.) Yeah, the prayer services that you are talking about, Denby, is open to anybody, any religion, any — any sect, any denomination, and it’s always after hours, it’s always not on government time. So whoever wants to be part of that prayer is always invited, welcome. I have always, throughout my professional career, always kept my faith, my Catholic faith in check. It’s always been in the right context. I understand the context and the principles of separation of church and state. I have never crossed the lines and will continue as governor of the state of Hawaii.
Fawcett: Will you continue to hold these prayer services if you are elected?
Aiona: I will give anybody who wants to have that opportunity to pray an opportunity to pray.
Fawcett: In your office.
Aiona: Wherever they want to pray. It’s a public — it’s a public office, they’ll have that opportunity, if they want it.
Moderator Paula Akana: All right, thank you Mr. Aiona. Rebuttal from Mr. Abercrombie.
Neil Abercrombie: I have no rebuttal. I respect the lieutenant governor’s position. That has never been, Paula, never been a topic of conversation between the lieutenant governor and myself, either personally or otherwise. I think that everyone’s religious beliefs and spiritual journey needs to be respected. The fact that there may be some argument as to context and how that takes place, I suppose that has some role in public policy — if in fact there was, you know, promotion of religion by government. But I take the lieutenant governor at his word and I have respect for.
Aiona: Thank you, Neil.
(At that point Aiona extended his hand to Abercrombie, who took it.)
Akana: All right.
