EDITORIAL
Voters deserve more than easy platitudes

Congratulations are in order for Democrat Mazie Hirono and Republican Linda Lingle, who last night won the right to represent their parties in the general election contest for governor of Hawai'i.

These two candidates, representing distinctly different political traditions, should offer Hawai'i voters a clear choice as their state leader for the next four years.

The task ahead for both Hirono and Lingle is to sharpen that choice by getting specific in the ways they would govern these Islands.

For Lingle, it is not enough to continue to promise change and a new style of political leadership. She has an obligation to paint a picture of how that new style would work out, in terms of budget policy, social policy and style of governance.

For Hirono, it is not enough to talk about her impressive rise in politics and her ability to work the levers of power. She now must explain how her knowledge and experience will serve to turn around a state that has been struggling while her party — there is no way around this — has been the party in power.

In other words, the voters need more than rhetoric about change or continuity. They need hard and specific dialogue about our public school system, about taxes and budget shortfalls, about economic development and about social policy, including the difficult tangle of Hawaiian issues.

The two tickets are graced with intriguing and impressive running mates in Democrat Matt Matsunaga and Republican James "Duke" Aiona.

It's clear that Matsunaga, a state senator, and Aiona, a former judge, will be far more than place-holders in the general election.

Lingle won her primary easily over former legislator and party chairman John Carroll. That easy victory tells little of what is ahead in the general. Hawai'i has a long tradition of voting Democratic, a tradition the Hirono campaign will be ready to remind voters at every turn.

Lingle is not your father's Republican, surely, but she still carries the banner of a party that has struggled to capture top offices since the early days of statehood.

In short, Lingle won't win the governorship on the basis of party. If she wins, she will win on ideas, specific programs and policies that make sense for the 21st century.

For Hirono, the challenge will be to present more than an impressive resume. Democratic challenger Ed Case came from political nowhere to virtually tie Hirono in the final tally. That strong showing for Case — in many ways the "anti-Democrat" in the race — shows that voters are ready for a new style of governance. Can Hirono convince us she can use her tried and true skills in new ways and in different directions?

In short, the general election campaign has to move beyond easy platitudes and appeals to emotion. We heard a lot about "values" (the Democrats) and "change" (the Republicans) four years ago. That won't cut it this time around.

Hawai'i faces serious challenges ahead. The voters this year will give their support to the candidates who serve up the best answers to the toughest questions.

We hope that's what this upcoming election will provide.