Continuing a more than 30-year tradition, the Waimea Community Association will again host a pre-primary election candidate forum from 5-8 p.m. on July 11 at Kahilu Town Hall across from Kahilu Theatre.

The forum will continue the association’s popular “speed dating” format, which provides candidates and voters with close-up encounters to get to know each other better and ask questions.

“In-person speed dating was suspended during the pandemic when the association pivoted to a safe all-virtual format, but because it is such a popular way for individual candidates and community members to interact, we’re re-instating it,” said WCA President Nancy Carr Smith.

Due to the format, the meeting will be in-person only. As always, the entire community is welcome.

All candidates for Hawai’i County mayor, State House of Representatives District 8 and County Council districts 1 and 9 are invited, which means there will be as many as 15 candidates making the rounds to meet face-to-face with voters, said Carr Smith.

This includes:

• Seven Hawai’i County Mayoral candidates – Dr. Kimo Alameda, Daniel Cunningham, Kavin Kahikina, Yumi Kawano, Breeani Kobayashi, Mitchell Roth and Seaula Tupai Jr.
• Two candidates for State House of Representatives Dist. 8 (North/South Kohala) – Monique Cobb, Adams Perreira and David Tarnas
• Three County Council Dist. 1 candidates (Hamakua/Waimea) – Brittany Anderson, Heather Kimball and BJ Penn
• Three County Council Dist. 9 candidates (North/South Kohala) – Cindy Evans, James Hustace and Michael Konowicz

Attendees will be grouped at tables spaced around Kahilu Town Hall and a community facilitator will host each table to keep things moving. Candidates will move from table to table for a carefully timed opportunity to ask and answer questions with each group of voters.

Candidates have been asked to provide brief bios to share with all attendees and also may place campaign literature on each table, but no signs nor banners will be permitted in the room.

The League of Women Voters will have an informational table to assist with vote by mail questions and help individuals register to vote or update their registration online. They also will share info on the league’s popular non-partisan VOTE411 website, which provides a free opportunity for all candidates to share their information, credentials and platform. 

WCA will provide hot coffee, cold beverages and light finger-food snacks for attendees. 

For more info about the meeting or community association, email WCA President Carr Smith at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to www.WaimeaTown.org.