Mayoral candidates for Honolulu, the Big Island and Kaua'i were participating in a program of televised debates tonight beginning at 6:30. The debates was broadcast live on KGMB9 and streamed live at honoluluadvertiser.com.

The debate featured Kaua'i candidates JoAnn Yukimura, a Kaua'i council member and former mayor, and county parks director Bernard Carvalho Jr.

Several people had planned on running for Kaua'i mayor in 2010, when former Mayor Bryan Baptiste's second four-year term would have expired. But Baptiste's untimely June 22 death triggered a special mayor's election to fill the final two years of his term.

Appearing from the Big Island mayor's race were Billy Kenoi, executive assistant to Kim and a former Honolulu deputy public defender, and North Kona County Councilman Angel Pilago.

The Big Island mayor's job opened up because current Mayor Harry Kim is prohibited by county Charter from seeking a third term.

The Honolulu candidates in the debate were Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Honolulu Council member Ann Kobayashi.

The Kaua'i candidates appeared first, followed by the Big Island candidates and finally the two from Honolulu.