Congress hopefuls disagree on Iraq

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he could support a unilateral military act of war against Iraq by the United States but only if there is "a clear and present danger" against the country, while state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa said she believes under no circumstances should the United States act alone.

U.S. Rep. Ed Case and state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa differ on whether the United States should act alone in military action against Iraq. Advertiser library photos

The 2nd Congressional District covers rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands. Case won a separate special election on Nov. 30 to serve through Jan. 3.

Hanabusa grilled Case on his position on the Iraq issue, stating that while she has maintained she would favor only a joint action with other countries if sanctioned by the United Nations, "your position in the past has been you support the war."

Case said "that's not at all accurate," insisting that there are "very limited" circumstances under which he could support an action. "You're saying we should just sit back and not defend ourselves, I'm saying you can never, ever take off the table, completely, totally and for all time, our obligation to protect ourselves."

Countered Hanabusa: "I believe that preparedness is different from waging war on Iraq."

On the issue of Native Hawaiian rights, Case called federal recognition essential "because the maintenance, preservation and enhancement of our host culture is not only the right thing to do for our host culture, but I think it's good for all of us."

Case said he has been able to work with "whomever is available, whoever is committed" to accomplish federal recognition and will continue to do so. "The problem is not on the Democratic side of the aisle, the problem is with the Republican side of the aisle. It's a Republican president with a majority of Congress on the Republican side," he said.

She criticized Case for proposing to consolidate the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands into a new, quasi-public corporation and said it "showed a real lack of understanding" for Native Hawaiian rights issues and, at the same time, nearly put entitlements in jeopardy.

Case said that he apologized for what he called "a mistake" for not consulting the Native Hawaiian community first and added that he has assisted the Native Hawaiian rights movement in other ways, including pushing for a $600 million settlement between DHHL and Native Hawaiians.

On education, Case reiterated his support for seven public school districts. "I came to the conclusion that the problem with public education was governance, that decisions were not being made at a local level," he said.

Hanabusa said that Case's solution was too simplistic and that allowing more flexibility for individual schools or those with common interests to develop their own programs would be more beneficial.

Hanabusa, who has served in the state Senate the past four years, trumpeted her reputation as a fighter and cited her leadership co-chairing a legislative committee that looked into the use of federal money to comply with the Felix consent decree designed to aid special education students.

Case, who served eight years in the state House of Representatives, said he is in the best position to represent the 2nd District. "I'm there now, I'm doing the job, I have the momentum, I have the office, I have the relationships, and I have seniority," he said.

Program organizer Bob Rees, who is helping Hanabusa with her campaign, said Matsunaga initially indicated he could make the date, but on Wednesday sent an e-mail stating he would drop out because the format for the program had not yet been determined. Matsunaga also stated he would have had difficulty with scheduling since he would need to return to O'ahu from the Neighbor Islands for the debate and then have to leave again.

Rees said it was his decision to feature the three perceived Democratic front-runners although others, including Republican state representatives Barbara Marumoto and Chris Halford, had asked to participate. Rees, who hosts the "Counterpoint" program on 'Olelo, said he gave up his regular time slot so that yesterday's debate could air.

It would have been logistically difficult for all 44 candidates to appear on the program, he said, and other candidates have the option of working with 'Olelo to get air time.

Angela Angel, director of production services for 'Olelo, said a video copy of another debate featuring top Democratic candidates that took place on one of the Neighbor Islands had been received but that an airing time had not been scheduled.

Correction: Bob Rees, who organized a debate involving candidates in the special election to fill the seat of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, hosts the "Counterpoint" program on 'Olelo. Tina Shelton moderated the debate. Information in a previous version of this story was incorrect.