Kaua'i mayoral candidates Bernard Carvalho and JoAnn Yukimura hit familiar themes and took some new digs at each other during their half-hour debate at the Hawaii Theater yesterday.

Yukimura, 58, said that she worked on planning, solid waste, energy and economy issues throughout her 1988-94 term as Kaua'i mayor and during 14 total years on the Kaua'i County Council.

"Bernard had no interest in these issues until he started running for mayor," Yukimura said. "In these troubled times, we need proven leadership."

Carvalho, 46, Kaua'i County's parks director and a county employee for 23 years, highlighted his team leadership abilities and interest in "talking story" to get the community's input.

Calling the current recession an "economic tsunami," Carvalho said "just looking to the issues of the past will not solve the problems of the future."

"In order to do that, we need leaders with courage, leaders who can deliver results," Carvalho said. "I know that I am that kind of leader."

He asked Yukimura how she could govern in today's tough economic times, given that a 1993 Hawaii Business magazine article said at that time her "relationship with the business community had unraveled."

Yukimura responded that after Hurricane Iniki, "communication was difficult in a time of natural disaster. But the issue that has been raised is not a valid one, in terms of my ability to work with the visitor industry and business community."

"I have worked with them on many of the laws I have developed as a council member," Yukimura said. "My work in the business community has been good."

She asked Carvalho why he supports a waste-to-energy plant to burn Kaua'i's garbage, at a price tag of $125 million, on top of costs for a new landfill and curbside recycling.

"We have a plan," Carvalho said of the county's solid-waste issues. "When you have a plan, the idea is to follow through on the plan.

"If a plan is in place, we need to stick to the plan. Give the plan time to unroll itself. Talk to the people, then move," Carvalho said.

"If financing is an issue, then maybe we need to look at getting solid waste off island."

Responding to questions about traffic jams on Kaua'i's east side, Yukimura said she wants to look at "multimodal" and "smart growth" transportation solutions such as building homes close to workplaces so people can walk or bike to work, not just to build bypass roads.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Carvalho touted his relationships with state officials, such as state Transportation Director Brennon Morioka and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Director Micah Kane, as the way he would solve traffic problems.

"It's my duty and my responsibility to bring people together," he said.

"This election is not so much about what we have done in the past," Carvalho said in his closing remarks. "It's whether or not your mayor can lead you into new and uncharted territory with courage and confidence.

"You need to know that you have a seat at the table and your voice will be heard. You need to know your mayor embraces and values your opinion," Carvalho said.

Yukimura presented herself as "a local girl who loves Kaua'i, the people and the land."

"Who can best lead?" she asked. "It will take more than talk and intentions. It will take a proven leader ... to protect our families from rising stresses of unemployment."

"We will put our heads and heart together," Yukimura said, to produce and buy local products, energy and food "so our children can live on Kaua'i and prosper."

Carvalho accused Yukimura of changing her stance on supporting the Hawai'i Superferry coming to Kaua'i, saying he has favored the ferry service coming to Kaua'i from the beginning.

Yukimura said she wants to see negative impacts of the Superferry, such as "invasive species, drugs, overloaded parks" mitigated by the company before it is welcomed to Kaua'i.

Yukimura also emphasized that Kaua'i residents protested the Superferry because state environmental laws were violated.