Hui ʻOihana, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, and partners Hui Hoʻolako for Hawaiian Initiatives, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Nā Leo TV will host another chance for Big Island voters to ask questions and get information about the candidates who want to lead the island for the next four years.

The 2024 primaries are drawing ever closer and Hawai‘i County mayoral candidates will take center stage again starting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Crown Room at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, located at 93 Banyan Drive in Hilo, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with voters.

The forum will be moderated by respected community leaders Mahina Paishon, co-founder and chief executive officer of Waiwai Collective, a regenerative urban kīpuka for weaving community, culture and commerce, and kumu Lehua Veincent, who has been a K-12 teacher and administrator for more than 35 years and was on the forefront of Hawaiian Language immersion and charter school programs in Hawaiʻi.

The discussion will include questions asked by ʻopio from Hawaiʻi Island communities and questions from the audience.

This format ensures that community voices are considered and voters gain a comprehensive understanding of each candidate’s stance on key issues affecting nā poʻe o Hawaiʻi.

“Community events like this are crucial for fostering a deep connection between the candidates and the people they aim to serve,” said Misty Carter, vice president of Hui ʻOihana. “We believe that providing a platform for open dialogue and meaningful interaction will ultimately lead to a more informed and engaged community.”

The forum is open to the public.

Those interested in attending should pre-register online; however, pre-registration does not guarantee entry because of limited capacity. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Registration closes Wednesday. The event will be broadcast live on Nā Leo TV Channel 55 and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Facebook page.

Once the broadcasting starts, the doors will be closed and no further entrance will be allowed.

For more information, to submit questions for the candidates or to find out how to pre-register for the forum, click here. You can also contact planning committee co-chairperson Pono Kekela via email at info@huioihana.com.