Carvalho withdraws from Kauai mayoral debate

KAUAI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Kauai mayoral candidate Bernard Carvalho has withdrawn from a debate scheduled for Thursday.

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In a social media post Wednesday evening, Carvalho said in part that “After our initial request for debate rules yielded only minimal guidance… our campaign concluded that the amount of time to prepare for the type of debate voters deserve was insufficient.”

In a statement provided to Hawaii News Now, Carvalho said:

“I want the people of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau to know that I was willing and prepared to participate in this debate. Our campaign simply asked for clear rules and a fair opportunity.

After receiving only minimal guidance initially, the more complete debate rules were not provided until just days before the scheduled August 27 event. We respectfully requested a one-week postponement to September 3 so that both campaigns would have adequate time to review the rules and prepare for the kind of meaningful discussion our community deserves.

When that request was declined, we made the difficult decision not to participate.

This was never about avoiding a debate or avoiding difficult questions. I welcome those conversations. For me, this is about doing things the right way and making sure the people of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau receive a fair, thoughtful and substantive discussion about the future of our island home.

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I respect the organizations involved and appreciate the work that goes into putting on an event like this. My focus remains where it has always been, our people. I look forward to continuing those conversations directly with our communities across Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.”

Carvalho’s opponent, council chair Mel Rapozo, said he was looking forward to his first-ever debate with the former mayor.

“I was obviously disappointed we had been preparing for this debate for the last two weeks,” Rapozo said. “Debates and all of these things aren’t for the candidates; it’s for the public, it’s for their benefit for them to learn about the candidates on election day. I take it very seriously.”

Thursday’s debate will now be a town hall with Rapozo of KKCR radio and streaming on YouTube, starting at 6 p.m.

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View our election coverage here.