Caldwell, Djou face off for last time before election

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Charles Djou faced off for the final time before the Nov. 8 general election.

The two spoke at a candidate forum sponsored by the Chinese Community Action Coalition in Chinatown on Sunday.

Caldwell made his case for four more years by emphasizing the booming economy and road and sewer improvements.

"Just look at where we were four years ago, we were crawling out of the Great Recession, unemployment was high," said Caldwell. "Today, we're much better. Unemployment was at 2.8 to 3 percent, we're doing really well."

Meanwhile, Djou continued his attacks on the rail system, whose costs have soared by more $2 billion.

He also criticized ethical lapses within the city.
"Who's going to best manage the city, who's going to fix this rail system. Who's going to reduce homelessness and who's going to restore a sense of trust and ethics," Djou said.

Just 1,500 votes separated the two in the August primary and over the next few days, each of the candidates will make their final push to sway undecided voters.

"There's two categories of voters they're both trying to go after. Younger voters who are may be undecided and then all of (former Mayor Peter) Carlisle voters," said University of Hawaii Political Science Professor Colin Moore.

"They're both going to be spending the rest of their money. You're going to see their allied PACs spending money. This is their last chance to make the case."

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