"NO SHOW HIRONO" CONGRESSWOMAN HIRONO AVOIDS THIRD U.S. SENATE GENERAL ELECTION FORUM

News Release from www.Lingle2012.com

HONOLULU - Governor Linda Lingle, candidate for Hawaii's open U.S. Senate seat, participated today in the third General Election U.S. Senate candidate forum at the Kahala Business Association (KBA) at their quarterly meeting. Mazie Hirono once again failed to attend a joint-appearance between herself and Governor Lingle.

At the KBA event today, Governor Lingle listened to the concerns of community and business leaders, answered questions, and offered her vision to address the important issues facing Hawaii, especially the need for economic growth and job creation.

"This is a once-in-a-generation election, and the people of Hawaii are rightfully interested in both candidates' views on the issues. Governor Lingle has always put the people of Hawaii first, which is why she is humbled by the opportunities extended by civic and community-interest groups from around the state, to attend their forums and debates, listen to their concerns, and offer her plan to address their issues in Washington, D.C. It's a disservice to the people of Hawaii that 'no show Hirono' continues to decline these opportunities," Deputy Communications Director, Corrie Heck said. "The forum was attended by a very engaged group of business leaders who asked important questions of the Govenror. It was sad that the KBA members couldn't hear the different positions of both candidates," Heck added.

The next scheduled candidate forum, hosted by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Thursday, August 21. According to organizers, Mazie Hirono has failed to respond to their requests for a joint-appearance.

While final format details for several events are still being worked on, the following is a list of events, whose organizers communicated with Governor Lingle's campaign and the Hirono campaign well in advance of the August 11 Primary Election. Prior to the Primary Election, Governor Lingle promptly accepted each opportunity and confirmed her attendance at each community event.

8/15 Maui Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum (pau)
8/16 Young President's Organization Candidate Forum (pau)
8/21 Kahala Business Roundtable (pau)
8/23 Kailua Chamber Candidate Night
8/29 General Contractors Association Forum
9/05 KHON Statewide Televised Debate*
**9/06 Japanese Chamber of Commerce Forum with Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Restaurant Association, Independent Insurance Agents, Society of Business Professionals, and the Land Use Research Group
9/11 Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI) Candidate Forum
9/13 Kauai Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum
9/20 Waikiki Neighborhood Board Candidate Night
9/23 West Hawaii U.S. Senate Forum
10/03 Hawaii News Now Statewide Televised Debate*
10/04 Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association Candidate Forum
10/09 Oceanic Time Warner National Security Debate
10/12 Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce
10/17 Sacred Hearts Academy Forum
**10/18 Island Insights
10/24 Maui Economic Development Board/Hawaii Public Radio & Maui Arts & Cultural Center Debate
10/30 KITV Statewide Televised Debate*

After the Primary Election, Governor Lingle has continued to accept candidate forum and debate opportunities, including a confirmed appearance before the Waimea Community Association on 10/10. As of this date, Hirono has again failed to respond to the Big Island community group.

*In addition to these originally scheduled days, Governor Lingle provided each broadcast station with five additional dates on which to hold three statewide televised debates.
**According to organizers, the Hirono Campaign has agreed to participate.

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