Gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Neil Abercrombie and Republican James “Duke” Aiona, share a moment. Photo: Nelson Gaspar (For more photos from the debate click here or on the photo above.)

The Democratic and Republican candidates for Governor faced off last night in a lively debate sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and televised live on OC16.

For 90 minutes at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, Democrat Neil Abercrombie and Republican James “Duke” Aiona squared off on issues of particular importance to Native Hawaiians as well as issues affecting the community at large.

Howard Dashefsky moderated the debate, with candidates tackling issues such as passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, which is pending in Congress, settlement of the state’s past-due revenues owed to OHA for the state’s use of ceded lands, Hawaiian education, language, civil unions, Furlough Fridays and the appointment of justices to the Hawai‘i Supreme Court.

Panelists were OHA CEO Clyde Nämu‘o, Amy Kalili of the Hawaiian-language news program ‘Äha‘i ‘Ölelo Ola and former TV news anchor-turned-attorney Shawn Ching. Watch the rebroadcast on OC16 today and for the next four days:

Wednesday, October 13 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, October 14 at 10:30 p.m.
Friday, October 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 16 at 1:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 17 at 3:30 p.m.

It will also be available later this week on-demand via Oceanic Cable channel OC16.