Thank you Rural South Hilo Community Association

A fabulous candidate forum at the Honomu Gym put on by the Rural South Hilo Community Association.  The format (three minute introductions by the candidates and then small groups for 10 minutes, then closing) appears to be the most popular way of allowing the group participants one on one time with a single candidate.

The closing statement was new.  We were asked to give a one word description of Hamakua, and I chose "vibrant."  I loved the energy in the room, the ideas flowing, the questions probing, and the hope that an election brings.  Many folks at the forum tonight are sorely disappointed in the way the County Council operates, and I promised to bring respect and dignity to the proceedings.

I believe that we should absolutely ban signs (I know, I know, free political speech and all that) and have these candidate forums instead.  The people who come are so thoughtful in their questions, respectful in listening to what the others have to say, and appreciative of the candidates' time and energy in participating in government.  

The format chosen by the organizers are non-confrontational but provocative, informative without being too static and boring, and allows the candidates the opportunity to learn and address the concerns of the particular community being addressed.

Thank you Rural South Hilo Community Association for sponsoring this important event.  And the food was delicious, too!!