Djou Debates Empty Chair last night on Olelo

News Release from www.Djou.com

(HONOLULU, October 22, 2016)---Olelo hosted a mayoral debate last night, responding to the public’s desire to see Charles Djou and Kirk Caldwell side by side. As the Star-Advertiser editorialized, Honolulu's people deserve to hear how the next mayor will lead the city and “set the course of policies affecting our pocketbooks.”

Only Djou showed up.

Because Caldwell’s chair stayed empty, he was unable to answer viewers’ questions about his two-hours-a-month job at Territorial Savings.  Viewers’ most popular question was, “Mayor Caldwell, can I have your second job?”  Some added, “I don’t need $200,000; I’ll just take half.”

Djou replied, “I think there are a heck of a lot of viewers watching this program who would be very happy to work four or five hours a month for just $100,000 a year.”

Then more seriously, Djou objected to Caldwell’s describing the Territorial job as “service,” as if he was helping the Salvation Army.  “Integrity, trust, honorable service are important to me,” Djou added.

On the question of whether Caldwell should have nearly doubled the property tax on real estate valued at over $1 million — a tax that affects the rent of tenants in such structures — Djou sided with the judge who ruled the tax unconstitutional.

As mayor, Djou explained that without raising property taxes, he would take care of the rail system and also take savings from mismanaged programs and put it towards basic services such as making parks clean and safe, helping the homeless, building affordable housing, and ensuring our kupuna have promised services.

“Civic-minded Olelo TV is an important part of our community and I appreciated their hosting the debate,” Djou said. “Hawaii has the nation’s lowest voter turnout.  Debates stimulate turnout, providing voters information they need.”

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