MEDIA RELEASE

North Hawaii voters are urged to mark their calendars for 4 p.m. Thursday, July 12 to participate in a second ‘speed dating’ voter education candidate forum at Waimea School Cafeteria.

As with the previous well-received “speed dating’ forum, this one also will be co-hosted by a total of 12 North Hawaii organizations – including Waimea Community Association, Friends of the Future/Tutu’s House, Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, Kailapa Community Association (Kawaihae homesteaders), Peoples’ Advocacy For Trails Hawaii (PATH), the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, North Hawaii Rotary, Baby Steps To Stronger Big Island Families, Friends of Thelma Parker Memorial Library, Waimea Preservation Association, Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club and Lalamilo Farmlots Association.

Voters from all over the district and island are invited to participate in this forum, which will begin with each candidate having three minutes for a personal introduction, and will then follow an innovative “speed dating” format which gives small clusters of voters an opportunity to talk-story with each individual candidate.

This format was followed at the groups’ earlier June 7 forum and received high ratings by the more than 225 voters and 11 candidates who participated.

There is no charge and healthy snacks will be provided by co-host groups along with complimentary hot Starbucks coffee and water.

The July 12 forum will spotlight three major races – State Senate District 4 (all of North Hawaii), Hawaii County Mayor and County Prosecutor – a total of eight candidates in all.

Candidates that have confirmed participation include:

* State Senate District 4: Kelly Greenwell, Lorraine Inouye and Malama Solomon

* Hawaii County Mayor: Billy Kenoi, Harry Kim and Dominic Yagong

* Hawaii County Prosecutor: Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth

As always with WCA meetings, attendees are urged to bring a donation of cash or non-perishable foods to be given to the Waimea food pantry operated by Annunciation Catholic Church. Checks payable to the church for the food pantry are tax deductible.

For further information, call 885-1725 or 937-2833.