Big Island Mayoral Debate to Be Hosted August 19 in Hilo by Bar Association

The Hawai‘i County Bar Association is pleased to announce that prominent university scholar, political commentator and journalist Dan Boylan will moderate a debate featuring Big Island mayoral hopefuls, State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Billy Kenoi, Councilmember K. Angel Pilago and Councilmember Stacy Higa.



The event is to be held at the Crown Room of the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort on Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.



The board of the Hawai‘i County Bar Association decided to limit the number of participants to the four candidates who received the greatest number of contributions according to the latest reports filed with the State Campaign Spending Commission.



“It was a difficult decision and an interesting debate,” according to County Bar Association President Kenneth Goodenow. “Most members thought that while other organizations hosted forums, they followed similar formats consisting of asking each candidate in turn the same questions. Given the number of candidates, the opportunity for dialogue and debate was severely limited.”



In order to ensure fairness, the board has asked Dan Boylan to devise the format of the forum. Boylan, host of the Hawaii Public Television program Island Insights, is an experienced moderator, as evidenced by his program.



The Hawai‘i County Bar Association does not support or endorse any candidate. While its Charter allows for the making of recommendations on questions of law and legislation, the organization is neutral when it comes to candidates for any election.



Goodenow noted that the Hawai‘i County Bar Association seeks to advance public understanding and participation in the legislative process and the rule of law, cornerstones of our American democracy. Its mission is to promote high professional standards for the practice of the law in our community, such as providing continuing legal education seminars and interaction with the Judiciary.



For further information, please contact Kenneth Goodenow at 895-2751.