Prosecutor candidates debate Tuesday

LIHU‘E — The primary election results show the Kaua‘i County Prosecutor’s race as a close contest, and the two candidates will present their ideas in a debate this Tuesday.

Incumbent County Prosecutor Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and her opponent, Deputy County Attorney Justin Kollar, are scheduled to debate from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in the Exhibition Area.

The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce is hosting the debate. Doors open to Chamber members at 5:30 p.m. and to the general public at 5:45 p.m. Admission is free.

“Our goal is to provide the candidates an opportunity to present their views on topics of interest to the members and larger community,” said Chamber President and CEO Randall Francisco.

“Since the Chamber doesn’t endorse candidates, we instead want to ensure that they have an equal opportunity to educate and communicate the public about their thoughts through our debates and forums. … This race was of particular interest to us because of the issues related to crime as it affects our business community, the island and economic recovery.”

Debate sponsors include Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, Kaua‘i Chapter and the Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association.

Iseri-Carvalho was the state’s first woman to be elected a county prosecutor in 2009.

She had served as a deputy prosecutor, a state public defender and an elected County Councilwoman prior to prosecutor. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i, William S. Richardson School of Law.

Kollar is currently the County Attorney’s legal advisor to the Kaua‘i Police Department. He is a former deputy prosecuting attorney and a graduate of Suffolk University Law School.

For more information and special needs requests contact Carol at 245-7363 or email at info@kauaichamber.org.