Sparks fly at The two major candidates for governor, Republican Linda Lingle and Democratic Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, disagree sharply about how to move native Hawaiians quickly onto Hawaiian Homes Commission lands.
last TV debate
Hirono and Lingle clash over
Election violations to go to prosecutor
how to help Hawaiians at
an OHA-sponsored forum
Donations pour in as campaign nears end
State campaign law applies to voter guide
ACLU appeals ruling allowing amendment vote
Record number of voters using absentee ballots
By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comAt the last live, televised debate of the campaign, Lingle said she would move immediately on the issue, while Hirono said much land needs to be improved, noting the state could not afford the $2 billion in infrastructure improvements before housing could be built for native Hawaiians.
Lingle promised that she would put Hawaiians on lands with or without the large-scale improvements.
The debate was sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and carried across the state on KFVE-TV.
"I have made a strong commitment that within five years we will reduce that list so that no one waits again for 10 or 15 or 30 years," Lingle said. "By saying you do not have the infrastructure is showing you have no understanding of the native Hawaiian people's connection to the land.
"They do not need urban-standard infrastructure. They need the land, and they can go put a tent on it, if that is what they want to do," Lingle said.
Hirono, however, warned she would not give "false promises," saying the state had to prepare lands for development.
"Before we can do that, there needs to be infrastructure, and I am not going to give you the false promise that we are going to put in $2 billion in infrastructure," Hirono.
To move the state ahead so it could afford improvements such as roads, sewers and water for rural, undeveloped Hawaiian Homes lands, Hirono said the state had to bring a "more focused approach to expanding our economy."
The state is charged by the federal government with putting eligible native Hawaiians on some 203,000 acres of Hawaiian Homes lands, but the list of eligible Hawaiians grows.
The two candidates also responded to the question posed by OHA on restoring $10.3 million in undisputed revenues from ceded lands that are owed to OHA.
Lingle said that if elected, she would immediately move to transfer the funds, while Hirono said the money would have to be appropriated by the Legislature, but she would introduce such a bill when the Legislature convenes in January.
"I support the resolution of the ceded-lands claims," Hirono said, "but I don't believe the law would allow the governor to simply pass the money over without legislative approval."
Lingle disagreed, saying the money "should be taken straight out of the state's account.
"It can't wait to go to the governor," Lingle said.
The 90-minute forum also featured remarks by the major-party candidates for lieutenant governor: Republican James "Duke" Aiona and Democratic Sen. Matt Matsunaga.
The debate was held at the East-West Center's Jefferson Hall. It will be rebroadcast tomorrow on KFVE at 3 p.m.
