Gubernatorial Candidates Address Native Hawaiian Issues

We're just nine days away from the primary and tonight, one of the big quesions tonight is which way will the Native Hawaiian vote swing.

Candidates for governor have appeared at several Native Hawaiian forums in recent weeks so they are clearly taking this group of voters seriously. With just nine days left until the primary election candidates are looking to secure as much support as possible.

They wanted answers, Native Hawaiians asking candidates for governor what will you do for us?

"You will be at my table, because that's where you should be. That's where all of our communities should be," said Mazie Hirono.

Democratic frontrunner Mazie Hirono promised to fight for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians. "I will personally lobby with you in Congress and Washington D.C. for that kind of recognition."

Andy Anderson trails in the polls and lashed out at his Democratic opponents.

"We've paid Mazie 720,000 dollars for the last eight years, what the hell has she done?"

Anderson's theme: native votes count.

"If change is going to come, if sovereignty's going to come, if self determination's going to come, it's only going to come by the ballot box," said Anderson.

Republican Linda Lingle was the only candidate to set up a booth at the Native Hawaiian conference.

"Whether you support you me or you don't, the things I'm talking about are still right, and they're still just and they still are things that I will fight for," said Lingle.

Lingle says her national Republican contacts should help Native Hawaiian lobbying efforts in Washington D.C.

"My contacts at the national level will be important for our state and the balance will be important going forward," said Lingle.

If Lingle's so concerned about native issues, Democrat Ed Case says she shouldn't wait until after the election.

"Linda, I really think you need to get on the plane tonight because the Democrats are not holding back federal recognition, the Republicans are," said Case.

One thing all of the candidates agree upon, Native Hawaiians are ascending in the ranks of political power bases in Hawaii.

John Carroll is facing Linda Lingle in the Republican primary. He was not invited to speak at today's event.