Candidates in the upcoming Council District 1 special election took part in a debate Monday night.
Eight of the 14 candidates participated in the Hawaii Public Radio debate.
They discussed subjects ranging from homelessness to land development.
"We need more communty gardens in our community. We don't have them in west Oahu. They are all over the rest of Oahu, but west Oahu has been neglected in this way among other ways," said candidate Matthew LoPresti.
"Temporarily though, we can think of the idea of safezones and tent cities, until our affordable houses are built," said candidate Jason Espero.
"We understand these people, some do have a drug problem, it's an illness. some have an alcohol problem, it's an illness so we need to address this issue as people out there, not just a problem," said candidate Mel Kahele.
"We need to encourage safety zone so that the homeless people have at least dignity in the standard of living," said candidate Rose Martinez.
"The huge increase in homeless people coming from other states. That's the biggest issue right now," said candidate John Roco.
"The biggest thing that the police department faces is, you have to dispose of the property," said candidate Tom Berg.
"How do you afford $325,000? That's not affordable for most people," said candidate Chris Lewis.
"What we need to do is get into affordable rentals for those people who are in need of housing rather than thinking of affordable housing to buy," said candidate Kioni Dudley.
These are the fourteen candidates have filed to run in the special election for City Council District 1:
- Tom Berg
- Kioni Dudley
- Jason T. Espero
- Mel Kahele
- Celeste (Lacaden) Lacuesta
- Chris Lewis
- Matthew LoPresti
- James K. Manaku
- Rose Martinez
- Bob McDermott
- John P. Roco
- Patty Kahanamoku Teruya
- Gary Kahinano Velleses
- Victoria (Cissy) Yuen
Deadline to register for the special election was November 29.
Those registered to vote in the last election are automatically registered.
However, residents must re-register if they have changed their name, residence or mailing address since the last election.
The election is being held primarily by mail-in ballot but there will be walk-in voting at Kapolei Hale and Honolulu Hale from Dec. 13 to 17.
Mail-in ballots must be received by the city clerk by 6 p.m. December 29.
