Posted on: Wednesday, June 30, 2004

EDITORIAL
Prosecutor contest serves the public well

The decision by former Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro to try again for the office he left in 1996 adds spice and interest to this year's campaign season.

He faces Peter Carlisle, a popular incumbent who is seeking his third four-year term. Four years ago, Carlisle ran unopposed for re-election.

While Carlisle did his best to put out his message and law-enforcement priorities in that uncontested election, the contest still lacked something.

The best races are when ideas are tested on the forge of competition when candidates think more deeply and thoroughly about their message.

There is plenty for Carlisle and Kaneshiro to talk about, even though both have fairly strong "law and order" credentials. The still-growing "ice" epidemic, white-collar crime, campaign financing scandals, property crime and public safety in the age of the war on terrorism are all ripe for vigorous debate.