FORMER CONGRESSMAN DUCKING DEBATE CHALLENGE

HONOLULU - Dutch Hanohano, campaign manager of the Duke Aiona and Lynn Finnegan campaign, today issued the following statement regarding former Congressman Neil Abercrombie's inability to respond to Duke Aiona's call for one-hour, moderated debates in each of the six weeks leading up to Election Day.

"Duke Aiona is ready to debate in-depth the most important issues facing our working families and small businesses, but our opponent seems content with the lack of substance and detail that characterized his primary election.

"It was reported recently that our opponent said it's not his "job" to debate Duke Aiona. This campaign must be about issues in order for the people of Hawai‘i to make an informed decision on their choice for Governor.

"Our working families and small businesses are facing big challenges, and our opponent has yet to show how he'll accomplish all the promises he's making.

"The people of Hawai‘i need real solutions, not just talk.

"We encourage our opponent to accept Duke Aiona's challenge to six in-depth debates focusing on a different issue per week beginning this Friday with jobs and the economy."

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