First Congressional District candidates Charles Djou and state Rep. Mark Takai on Tuesday night mixed it up for the first time, restating their Republican and Democratic party philosophies to a predominantly pro-business audience at a Chamber of Commerce Hawaii forum.
Takai, the Democratic nominee, spoke of his party’s philosophy that government needs to step in when it’s critical for it do so. Djou, the Republican, expressed the GOP position that less government intrusion is good for business and people.
"Government, from my perspective, is a facilitator," Takai said. "It’s important for us in Hawaii, and it’s important for business, to have government around because government provides the necessary infrastructure — roads, harbors, airports. Those are the types of things that we can’t rely on business and fair enterprise to do. Without government providing the necessary infrastructure … we would be at a loss."
Djou said the "beauty of America" does not come from laws, regulations or bureaucracy. "It comes from all of you. … It comes from people who have the dream to dream big, whether it is to start their own business, buying their own home, whether it is investing in their children so that they can have a better life and a better future," he said. "Government can only supplement, complement and assist that. That’s where government can be effective."
Both men, however, also spoke of the need to work in a bipartisan nature at a time of political gridlock.
Djou, who faced only nominal opposition in the primary, said he wants "to lower the cost of living for the people here in Hawaii, create more jobs for the people in our community and stop foisting so much debt on our children and our grandchildren."
Djou also reminded his audience repeatedly of his term as the 1st Congressional District representative for about six months in 2010, making him "ready to hit the ground running on Day One to be that vigorous, independent, outspoken advocate for the people of Hawaii."
It makes no sense for Hawaii to select Democrats for all four seats in its congressional delegation when the House is expected to retain a Republican majority and the Senate might end up the same way, he said.
Takai, who emerged as the decisive Democratic Party nominee in last month’s primary from a pack of seven candidates, argued for the need to create more opportunities for American citizens. "My concern as a small-business owner, my concern as a legislator and … my concern as a husband and a father is that opportunities are getting harder and harder to find," he said. "But we can’t get there with partisan gridlock."
Takai said that during 20 years in the state House, he’s "got a proud history of collaboration" with leaders from both parties and pointed out that the 2014 House leadership was made up of both Democrats and Republicans. He said he also has worked with congressional lawmakers for change while in the state Legislature.
The two, both of whom are Army reservists who served overseas deployments, also distinguished themselves by reiterating their positions on President Barack Obama’s decision to launch airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria and send military advisers to aid U.S. allies in the area.
Djou said he was disappointed that Obama stalled in developing a strategy to confront the terrorists but that he would have voted, just as U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz did, for the plan to use airstrikes against the terrorists and build a diplomatic coalition. "I believe that when our commander in chief has set forth a policy, it is important for us … as Americans, to unite behind a common front to confront threats to our own national security."
Takai, however, said he would have voted to oppose the plan, as did Reps. Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard. "The war in the Middle East is really not our war," Takai said. "We went there, we fought, we supposedly came home, or (are) coming home from Afghanistan. These conflicts began when time began. It’s a very tough proposition … for us in America to think we can go in there with our military and make changes. This is not just a military problem; it’s a political one, too."
On other issues, Takai said he opposes changes to the Jones Act, which shields the domestic shipping industry from foreign competition, while Djou said Hawaii needs to be exempted because the current law is antiquated and makes the cost of living higher in Hawaii.
To support Hawaii’s tourism industry, both candidates said they support expanding visa waivers allowing more Asian visitors to the state.
The forum was held at the Plaza Club in downtown Honolulu. Their next scheduled joint appearance is the evening of Oct. 9 on the live, televised program "Insights" on PBS Hawaii.
