Candidates in
debate on debates

Hannemann's and Bainum's camps say the
other is avoiding participation in forums

Mayoral candidates Duke Bainum and Mufi Hannemann are accusing each other of dodging debates and community forums leading up to the general election.

Hannemann is challenging Bainum to agree to all televised debate invitations. He said there were seven invitations for televised debates and that Bainum has only agreed to one so far.

But Bainum's campaign says Hannemann has gone back on his statement that he would meet Bainum "any time, any place," because Hannemann has either canceled or not made commitments to three joint community events.

Bainum was not available for comment, but his campaign communications director, Phyllis Kihara, said in a statement that since the campaign publicly announced its schedule of joint appearances on Sept. 24, the Hannemann campaign is now "ducking out."

"Mufi believes 'any time, any place' doesn't include forums with such organizations as the League of Women Voters, or accepting an appearance on KHET without trying to hand-pick the moderator, or agreeing to debate on any one day of an entire week offered by KITV," Kihara said.

Hannemann complained early on in the campaign that Bainum was ducking debates. Bainum, however, replied that scheduling conflicts prevented him from accepting some events and that the only reason Hannemann wanted to debate was because he was behind in the polls.

"Accept them all. Give the people of Oahu an opportunity to see us side by side in the best medium, which is television. That is happening around our country ... with the presidential debates," Hannemann said. "Why can't we do it here?"

Bainum issued a news release last month challenging Hannemann to "bring it on" after Bainum accepted invitations to 10 forums and debates, including on Hawaii Public Television's "Island Issues," a KITV- and Star-Bulletin-sponsored debate, and their final joint event on KSSK radio.

Bainum noted that Hannemann backed out of a radio forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Hawaii Public Radio.

Hannemann "said he wanted to leave his time flexible for television," the league's Jean Aoki said.

Hannemann said both candidates participated in a similar-league radio program before the primary election and that he wanted to keep his schedule free for televised debates.

"It's thinking on his feet, making decisions under pressure, not being scripted, not being coached. That's what (people) want to see," Hannemann said.

Bainum's campaign said that Bainum has accepted the KITV/Star-Bulletin invitation and the "Island Issues" forum. Four of the seven debate invitations came from organizations that they had already appeared before, including KHON and 'Olelo.

Bainum said Hannemann is stalling committing to dates for the KITV/Star-Bulletin debate and the "Island Issues" venue.

Hannemann said he would rather spread out the debates so voters going to the polls early can get information they need to cast their absentee ballots.