Political File
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Final-week forums feature congressional candidates
The American Association of University Women and senior citizens advocacy group AARP Hawaii are sponsoring a forum Tuesday night featuring at least seven of the 12 Democrats and Republicans running for the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House.
The informal event, being billed as a "giant coffee hour," is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Aikahi Elementary School in Kailua and is open to the public.
It is likely to be the last forum featuring a majority of the candidates prior to Saturday's primary election.
Scheduled to attend are Democrats Hanalei Aipoalani, Nestor Garcia, Colleen Hanabusa, Matt Matsunaga, Brian Schatz and Joe Zuiker, and Republican Bob Hogue.
Organizers said all candidates were invited. Those who are unable to attend because of prior commitments are Democrats Clayton Hee, Mazie Hirono, Gary Hooser and Ron Menor, and GOP candidate Quentin Kawananakoa.
The two Republicans are set to appear at a separate event Wednesday afternoon.
The Kailua Chamber of Commerce says Hogue and Kawananakoa have agreed to a debate Wednesday at the organization's monthly general membership meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Mid-Pacific Country Club. Anyone interested in attending should contact Anna Lui at 261-3334.
Meanwhile, in the race to succeed Ed Case to represent rural Oahu and the neighbor islands in the U.S. House, Menor has picked up the endorsement of the Hawaii Association of Realtors and the Realtors Political Action Committee, his campaign announced.
The Realtors cited Menor's strong support of homeowners' insurance legislation and affordable housing in their endorsement. Menor is the Senate's consumer protection chairman.
The Musicians Association of Hawaii has endorsed U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in his re-election bid against U.S. Rep. Ed Case.
"Sen. Akaka has always been there for working people, and we felt compelled to support him in his current challenge," Marsha Schweitzer, secretary treasurer of the musicians union, said in a news release.
The Musicians Association of Hawaii Local 677, American Federation of Musicians, has about 500 members.