More than a dozen candidates are vying to unseat Mayor Harry Kim and lead the county through the economic crisis.

Several seats have opened up though as some lawmakers decide to seek other elected posts or leave public office.

In an hourlong conversation, the candidate fields questions from Civil Beat and Hawaii News Now on leadership, trust, tourism and the economy.

Despite deep political ties to numerous state and local officials, Keith Amemiya says he has the fresh perspective that Honolulu needs in the mayor’s office.  

Rick Blangiardi regularly used his platform on Hawaii News Now to criticize from the sidelines. Now he admits he doesn’t have all the answers either.

In an hourlong conversation, the candidate fields questions from Civil Beat and Hawaii News Now on leadership, homelessness, tourism and the economy.

In an hourlong conversation, the candidate fields questions from Civil Beat and Hawaii News Now on leadership, property taxes, tourism and the economic crisis due to COVID-19.

Mail ballots will start going out July 21.

The 70-year-old cited coronavirus risks.

“The whole nature of city politics will be transformed after November,” says political analyst Colin Moore.