Posted on: Wednesday, September 4, 2002

EDITORIAL
Size up the candidates on 'Olelo television

You've seen their earnest, friendly faces beaming from TV commercials and campaign literature. And you've heard their promises to revitalize the economy, balance the budget without cutting jobs and programs, and stamp out scandal and corruption.

But there's a lot more to voter education than getting seduced by the image campaign.

Of course, voters can't be expected to meet all the candidates face to face. But you can watch them live Monday through Friday 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on 'Olelo Community Television.

Tonight and tomorrow's on-air debates feature candidates for lieutenant governor. And subsequent debates until the Sept. 21 primary election feature candidates for City Council and Senate districts.

The series is the brainchild of Robert Rees, moderator of Hawai'i Public Radio's "Talk of the Islands" and 'Olelo's "Counterpoint" and frequent columnist on these pages. The questions have been developed by the League of Women Voters.

Nobody ever said voting was easy. Once you've registered, you've got to get educated about the candidates. Don't pick favorites just because you like their smile or the sound of their name.

Watch carefully to see if the politicians you're considering supporting are up to the job, because if they get in and don't measure up, it takes years to fire them.