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With the GMO issue heating up in Hawaii ahead of the Nov. 4 election, which includes a ballot question for Maui voters to potentially ban genetically modified farming until it’s proven safe, the top candidates for governor were pressed to share their views this week.

A televised debate hosted by Civil Beat and KITV News uncovered new ground on where Republican Duke Aiona, Democrat David Ige and Hawaii Independent Party candidate Mufi Hannemann stand on reforming the state’s public hospital system and balancing the budget, which we reported Wednesday.

The forum also featured three questions about genetically modified organisms. The candidates’ answers varied from borderline babbling to political attempts at straddling both sides of the divisive issue, so a verbatim transcript follows for readers to digest however they might.

Hawaii candidates for governor, from left, Mufi Hannemann, David Ige and Duke Aiona prepare to debate, Sept. 30, 2014, at KITV headquarters.

Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

But first, here’s what Civil Beat reporter Chad Blair asked: “If elected governor, would you support restrictions on GMOs? Where do you stand on pesticide use? And how do you feel about labeling?”

Aiona: “It is a very emotional and divisive issue right now in regards to the counties. I believe that labeling — people knowing what’s in the food, what’s in the ground — is very important. In regards to pesticides, I believe if it is an issue in regards to monitoring and regulation, then obviously our Department of Health has to do a better job than what it’s doing right now. But I’m not sure that it’s really is the exact, the real problem, in regards to this whole genre of issues that are before the counties right now. I think it’s really a matter of not being as well educated as everyone should be. I think with the latest commercials that we see right now and the Maui initiative is educating people both ways. I’ve heard it both ways. And so, it’s something that obviously everyone has to be a part of in the discussion and when the ultimate decision is finally made, it’s whether or not it’s going to help us — it’s going to be beneficial to us in regards to our health and well-being — and of course, the economic toll that it’s going to take on the farmers, on the vendors and everyone else.”

Ige: “Yes, I do believe that as governor I would assure that we protect the health and safety of our communities. That would be Job 1. We need to regulate pesticide use. We need to know what is being applied, where it’s being applied and ensure that it’s being applied safely. That is a core function of state government and I would ensure that that happens. In terms of labeling, I do believe that labeling is a federal issue. I strongly encourage the federal government and the FDA to set standards so our people know what’s in the food they’re buying. And then thirdly, in terms of the GMOs, I really do believe and support all farmers. We have so much agriculture land that is not in production. We need to support them, whatever their method, whatever they’re planting.”

Hannemann: “I’ve long maintained that the Department of Agriculture is the Rodney Dangerfield of state departments. Cuts to that department that were condoned by Sen. Ige and the Lingle-Aiona administration would not happen under a Hannemann administration. So let’s look at the three questions that were asked. Based on the science, I’m OK with GMO continuing to be part of what we have here in Hawaii because I really believe we would see a dramatic drop in agricultural crops. However, pesticide drift is something that we need to do a better job of and we need to empower the Department of Agriculture, working with the counties, to ensure that the pesticides that we use and the drift is curtailed to a great degree. Thirdly, I also believe that when it comes to labeling, it should be a national policy. I’m OK with labeling, but I think it should be done across the board and it should be a mandate from Washington, D.C., as opposed to local or state municipalities doing that.”