House race forum is set for Thursday

With the Sept. 23 primary approaching, there is at least one more forum scheduled featuring all 12 candidates running for the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House, and a separate debate for the two Republicans in the race.

All 10 Democrats along with the two GOP candidates have agreed to a participate in a forum being broadcast live this Thursday on Hawaii Public Radio.

The forum will differ from previous events in that the candidates will have an opportunity to respond to statements made by the others, said Chad Blair, HPR's political reporter and the debate's moderator.

Candidates will be asked a broad question and have 90 seconds to respond. After all 12 have spoken, each will have one minute to respond to anything that was said previously.

That format will be followed until each candidate has answered three questions -- one about international issues, one about a national issue and one on a local issue.

"We're giving them an open-ended question which they can direct in any way they want," Blair said. "Recognizing that the average listener doesn't want to hear 12 responses about Iraq ... we're hoping to have some diversity."

The forum is being broadcast commercial-free from 7 to 9 p.m. on KHPR 88.1 FM on Oahu, KKUA 90.7 FM on Maui and KANO 91.1 FM on the Big Island.

Democrats in the race to represent rural Oahu and the neighbor islands in the U.S. House are Hanalei Aipoalani, Nestor Garcia, Colleen Hanabusa, Clayton Hee, Mazie Hirono, Gary Hooser, Matt Matsunaga, Ron Menor, Brian Schatz and Joe Zuiker.

Republicans running are Bob Hogue and Quentin Kawananakoa, who have agreed to a debate on Sept. 20 at the monthly general membership meeting of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, several groups in Hawaii announced their endorsements for the 2nd Congressional District race last week.

Among the endorsements:

» The Hawaii Coalition of Conservation Voters, an environmental group, endorsed Hirono, citing her commitment to "commonsense conservation policies."*

» The Hawaii Coalition of Conservation Voters, another environmental group, endorsed Hirono, Hooser and Schatz, noting that "all have consistently worked for the environment and would continue if in the U.S. Capitol."

» The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii endorsed Matsunaga, saying he "has a proven record of helping to grow Hawaii's small businesses and has proposed forward-thinking ideas he'll push for if elected to Congress."

» The Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 368, endorsed Menor, saying he "has been a friend to the working people of our state throughout the 22 years in our state Legislature."

» The Masons' Union endorsed Hanabusa, citing her as a "strong, consistent advocate and supporter of Hawaii's working men and women." The Hawaii union is part of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association.