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Gubernatorial Debate that Wasn't
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Voter Apathy?
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Gubernatorial Debate that Wasn't

We were all disappointed when Governor Ariyoshi refused to participate in our long-planned-for debate, and Senator Anderson followed suit. The Governor stated that the issues could not be explored in depth in a short time, that it would be a two-against-one situation, and that the election should be decided on other grounds. The Senator did not wish to be cast in the role of attacking someone who was not there to defend himself.

Of course, League's purpose in sponsoring the debate was to perform a service for the VOTERS: to air the issues and present opposing views and philosophies for voters' comparison. Although debates are informative, they are not a deciding factor in an election, as numerous polls attest.

All the candidates have said that they will be happy to answer questions put to them by the voters. Below are the questions we would have asked on the debate. They are a distillation of many questions we received from community, professional, and business groups, as well as private citizens and LWV members. If you want the candidates' answers, call:

Anderson headquarters - 942-4488

Ariyoshi headquarters - 526-3961

Fasi headquarters - 521-1031

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE QUESTIONS

TAXES
State figures estimate a surplus in the general fund of $149 million. Do you think we should maintain a large surplus, or should we change the tax structure? For example, it has been suggested we have a sales tax rather than our present excise tax.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Hawaii has been the target of several national surveys which proclaim it a "poor business or investment climate" state; in addition, many people feel dependency on tourism is detrimental. How can state and local government and private industry work together to attract new industry to Hawaii?

FEDERAL AID TO STATES
Now that reductions are being made in Federal aid to the states in areas such as health care, education and welfare, how do you stand on the issue of funding these programs with state money?

CRIME
Recent polls show that crime is a major concern of Hawaii's people. Where do you think the state should put its emphasis - on prevention, law enforcement or corrections?

EDUCATION
In the ten year period from 1970 to 1980, Hawaii dropped from 5th to 17th among the states in expenditure per child for education. Today, over 20% of all school age children in Hawaii attend private schools. Do you feel this indicates a problem in our public school system? If so, what would you do to change the situation?

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Although new industry would bring new jobs and taxes, it would also create more demand for government services and stress on our natural resources. Do you believe an effective balance between the costs and benefits of growth can be obtained?

MAINTENANCE OF PARKS AND HIGHWAYS
What would you, as Governor, specifically do to improve the maintenance of parks and highways?

TRANSPORTATION
Diversified agriculture and our interisland transportation system problems are closely allied. How can the state improve the movement of people and products between the islands?

AGRICULTURE
What can the state do to help make diversified agriculture profitable for both the local market and export?

FEDERAL LANDS
The Federal government has started to sell off some Federal lands.
If land becomes available here, what would state policy be in regard to buying it?

ENERGY
Federal cutbacks in energy research affect the development of solar, wind, geothermal and ocean thermal technology. What can the state do to encourage development of these alternative energy sources?

These questions are designed for short, quick answers so voters can determine a candidates' stand on issues:

  1. Should we reduce the 4% general excise tax on food and medicine?

  2. Should we had a hotel room tax?

  3. Should we have an additional 1% general excise or sales tax for counties?

  4. Should we offer tuition tax credit for education?

  5. Should we offer tax incentives to agricultural cooperatives?

  6. Should we provide tax incentives for aquaculture?

  7. Should we provide tax incentives to attract new industry?

  8. Should we appeal to the federal government to recoup lost impacted aid to education?

  9. Should we have stricter campaign spending limits?

  10. Should we have election of judges?

  11. Should citizens have standing to sue, if they protest a construction development?

  12. Should names of nominees for state positions be revealed before they are selected?

  13. Should the federal government permit dumping of nuclear waste in the Pacific?

  14. Do you think we can achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2000?

  15. Should we proceed with construction of H-3?

  16. Do you think we should have state-wide registration of handguns?

  17. Do you think we should have initiative, referendum and recall in the state?

  18. Should we return to "closed" primaries?

  19. Should we have a moratorium on development of prime agricultural land into residential areas?

MAHALO to Frank Eldrige - Bea David - Anna Hoover and Carol Whitesell for setting up our computerized mailing list.


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