Gubernatorial candidates promise to empower local educators at Hilo forum

Hawaii’s three major gubernatorial candidates each pledged to do more to empower educators at the local level during their first debate on the Big Island on Thursday evening.

But not quite everything.

While candidates Mufi Hannemann, Duke Aiona and David Ige agreed the state Department of Education could use some reform, neither said the state should go so far as to enact local school districts. At least not yet.

“That would be optimal,” said Aiona, a former lieutenant governor and Republican candidate, when asked if he would support local school boards.

“But that’s not what I’m envisioning. We would still have the board at the top, but their role would change dramatically.”

His approach would include letting schools decide their own curriculum and purchase their own equipment, said Aiona, who worked recently as a substitute teacher.

Ige, a state senator and Democratic candidate, said the school board needs to “walk the talk” when it comes to allowing schools to make more of their own decisions.

“They talk about empowering principles but their actions don’t demonstrate it,” he said.

“They need to let the community and the leader of the schools take the responsibility and make the most important decisions on how the children should learn and how we could support them better.”

Hannemann, a former Honolulu mayor who is running as an Independent, said he would keep the state board intact but they would “know there’s a new sheriff in town.”

“At the end of the day, they need to get off their backs,” he said, adding he has “great concern” with the common core curriculum.

“What works for New York may not work for Hawaii,” Hannemann said.

The candidates while debating at Sangha Hall in Hilo also agreed that the state Department of Health is moving too fast with trying to phase out cess pools on the islands and that private-public partnerships need to be pursued to improve the state’s hospitals.

But the agreements didn’t last throughout the two-hour debate, and the candidates offered their own unique pitches to voters and the occasional jab.

Hannemann, who was vice president of C. Brewer and Company and general manager of Punaluu Sweetbread Shop, highlighted his Big Island connections and experience in private and public sectors.

He said he could “hit the ground running” and presented himself as an alternative to the Democratic and Republican candidates.

“Why don’t we try something different,” Hannemann said. “We’re all about putting the people first.”

He pledged to bring back the Superferry and create a Hawaii Council of Leaders with the mayors and governor as members to increase collaboration.

Regarding priorities, Hannemann said, “The most important responsibility as governor is education. The most important goal is to improve the economy and they work together hand in hand.”

Aiona noted that Hannemann ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat in the last two elections before forming the Independent Party, suggesting he did so to get in the General Election, and said he represented the best chance for change. Aiona also ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010.

“I’m here to give you an option of taking you in a new direction so you don’t have to change out the players and have the same system in place,” he said.

Aiona said he would seek to reduce taxes and fees and help open “Hawaii for business.”

“We start with a commitment that we are going to get government out of the way so businesses can thrive,” he said.

“That’s not a slogan, it is … action.”

Ige, who trounced Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary, has 29 years of experience in the state Legislature and is the Senate Ways and Means chairman.

He said he is running because the state needs a change in leadership style and find more common ground on issues.

“We need to find a way to reach out to hunters and those fishermen whenever we look at managing our natural resources,” Ige said.

For priorities, Ige noted education and would seek to improve school infrastructure. He also poked fun at himself and said people should not expect him to become a good public speaker.

“What you see is what you get,” Ige said.

Among the other issues, the candidates were also asked about invasive species management, how they would respond to the lava flow threatening Pahoa, and improving the Banyan Drive resort area.

Aiona said he has spoken with residents threatened by the flow and said he had a role in responding to major disasters as lieutenant governor. He said response to the disaster will take leadership.

Aiona said the state needs to determine what the priorities are with managing invasive species management and that the state doesn’t have the resources it needs.

He said the state should work with Mayor Billy Kenoi to improve the Banyan Drive area and its hotels.

On the lava flow, Ige said the county takes the lead on disaster response and said the state can help through executive actions. He said state, counties and farmers need to work together to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Ige also acknowledged Banyan Drive has suffered and said the state should partner with the county on improving the area.

Hannemann said the state needs to do what it can to support the county as it responds to the lava flow. It also needs to be proactive, he said.

He said he has a “100 percent” commitment to dealing with invasive species and that the state needs to work with farmers and not just fine them over the issue.

Hannemann said he would make improving Banyan Drive a top priority and also work with the county on the issue.

The event was sponsored by the Hawaii Island, Japanese and Portuguese chambers of commerce, Hawaii Island Realtors, Big Island Press Club, and the Hawaii Island contractors and Kanoelehua Industrial Area associations.

The candidates will debate again at 6 p.m. Monday at Kealakehe High School cafeteria.

That forum is sponsored by Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.