But they clashed on the farmers tax, each trying to lay blame at the other's doorstep.

Yesterday's meeting was one of just a handful of opportunities the two front-runners in the mayor's race have had to face off. With only three weeks to go until the primary election Sept. 18 — and the chance that a mayor could actually be chosen that day — they did their best to convince residents that they are the best choice for O'ahu.

But the ground rules limited their options. They were bound by six scripted questions, denying them an opportunity to debate. And in the wake of some negative campaigning recently, they were warned against mudslinging.

One of the forum's moderators, Herb Lee, called for the spirit of aloha and ho'ihi, respect.

The result was a generally congenial atmosphere, with both reiterating campaign rhetoric and taking a couple of jabs at his opponent.

The Kailua Chamber of Commerce and the Kane'ohe Business Group sponsored the event at Koolau Golf Club.

The candidates clashed over the agriculture land tax question. Though neither wanted to see small farmers taxed out of existence, each blamed the other for contributing to the problem.

Hannemann said Bill 10, which was supported by Bainum, was never needed and was at the heart of recent controversy where farmers claimed their taxes would rise dramatically in some cases.

"When I hear that some people suggest today that this bill is not hurting farmers, in fact it's going to give farmers a tax break in the long run, you gotta be living in Lalaland and not know what's happening," Hannemann said.

Hannemann said to resolve the issue, tax assessors should go out into the field to see who is and is not farming and their lands should be taxed accordingly. Farmers should "have taxes that are equitable, fair and across the board," he said.

Bainum said Bill 10 was introduced to reduce the tax burden on small individual farmers, to provide an incentive for agriculture activity and to catch cheaters, people who claim to be farming when they weren't and getting a tax break.

"We did catch the cheaters," Bainum said, acknowledging that the bill needs adjustment but that Bill 35, which was introduced to rectify the problem and which is supported by Hannemann, is nothing but a tax giveaway to large landowners.

"Bill 35 is a 95 percent tax break for the large landowners," said Bainum. "Let me ask you a question. When was the last time small-business owners got a 95 percent tax break?"

Both candidates called for enforcement action against illegal bed and breakfast and transient vacation rentals. Such operations often lead to parking and noise problems, neighbors say, and some operate without a license or paying taxes.

Both valued events like Sunset on the Beach, a popular city-supported event, saying they bring communities together. But Hannemann called for sponsors to come forward to finance the event. Bainum said the city should help facilitate in such things as permits.

As for capital improvement project for Windward O'ahu, Bainum spoke of building a park and dog park on city land next to Bayview Golf Links, reopening Ha'iku Stairs with consideration to neighbors' concerns and constructing a parking lot at the Kane'ohe Civic Center.

Hannemann supported finishing the Kailua sewer projects, completing Hina Mauka, a drug treatment center, and building a boys and girls club in Kailua. Both want to complete renovations on the Kailua side of Kailua Beach Park.

Instead of landfill the city should be looking into alternatives to deal with solid waste, they both said. Bainum said he opposes putting a landfill at Kapa'a Quarry. Hannemann said he opposes a new landfill anywhere but if a landfill is put somewhere, that community should have a benefits package. They wanted to help small business through increased Internet use, among other suggestions.

Hannemann called for Satellite City Halls to operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., creating a one-stop center that would help businesses. He also called for starting a small business council.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.

Correction: In an election forum Wednesday, mayoral candidate Duke Bainum said he opposes putting a landfill at Kapa'a Quarry. Candidate Mufi Hannemann said he opposes a new landfill anywhere but if a landfill is put somewhere, that community should have a benefits package. A previous version of this story was not clear on that issue.