The Waimea Community Association will host a General Election Candidate Forum spotlighting three key races: Hawaii County mayor, state House District 8 and County Council District 9.
All Waimea and Hawaii Island voters are invited to participate in the forum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, in Kahilu Town Hall across from Kahilu Theatre.
There is no charge for this nonpartisan “speed dating” in-person only event, and light refreshments will be provided.
Six candidates — Mitch Roth and Kimo Alameda for mayor, David Tarnas and Monique Perreira for state House of Representatives District 8, and James Hustace and Cindy Evans for County Council District 9 (North/South Kohala) — have confirmed participation in what will be a series of fast-paced question and answer sessions as the candidates rotate around the room, spending about 20 minutes meeting face-to-face with each of the six groupings of attendees.
Volunteer facilitators at each of the six groupings will help ensure that attendees have a brief opportunity to share their chief concern or quickly pose a question.
“Our community prefers this ‘speed dating’ format because it’s very up close and personal – a chance to get to know each candidate better and speak about personal priorities,” WCA President Nancy Carr Smith said.
Each attendee will receive a printed agenda with a one-page flier for each candidate. Attendees may wear candidate T-shirts, but no campaign signs or banners will be permitted in the room.
WCA has hosted candidate forums during election years for more than 40 years.
For more info about the candidate forum or community association, email Carr Smith at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to www.WaimeaTown.org.