By Lisa Dahm

Would you like to know where the candidates stand on physician-assisted suicide, homelessness, the minimum wage, immigration, parental notification for abortion, gambling and other such issues?

If so, the Hawaii Family Forum and the Hawaii Catholic Conference are here to help.

The two offices have co-sponsored a survey of primary election candidates and are publishing the answers in this edition of the Hawaii Catholic Herald, as well as distributing it in other places, including the Internet.

The questionnaire was created by the staff of the Hawaii Family Forum to address topics of interest to Catholics and other Christians, according to attorney Kelly Rosati, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum and director of government relations for the Hawaii Catholic Conference.

Hawaii’s faith communities are “very concerned with the common good,” Rosati said in a telephone interview with the Hawaii Catholic Herald Aug. 24. The survey is one way to help them be “informed participants in civic life.”

Knowing the politicians’ positions on issues is essential for the voter, she said.

“In order to vote intelligently, we have to know where they stand,” Rosati said.

The survey polled Hawaii candidates for Congress and for governor, lieutenant governor, the state senate and the state house of representatives.

Federal candidates were asked nine questions on such national issues as immigration, the constitutional amendment on marriage, the strife in Sudan and government financing for abortion.

The candidates for state offices were asked 10 questions on local topics such as doctor-assisted suicide, affordable housing, abortion and gambling.

The surveys were sent out Aug. 1; the response deadline was Aug. 23. Fifty percent of the 201 candidates completed the surveys and sent them back, a slightly lower response rate than the past.

Rosati said that, because candidates “are barraged” with questionnaires around campaign time, the Hawaii Family Forum staff provided several friendly reminders. Volunteers conducted follow-up calls to those who had not responded by the deadline and the deadline was extended.

Of those who did respond, 52 percent were Republican, 43 percent were Democrat, and five percent were from third parties. Another six percent “responded” by mailing back their own campaign literature.

Opportunity for candidates

Rosati sees the survey as a great opportunity for candidates as well as voters.

“This is the time when politicians are supposed to be the most responsive to their constituents,” she said. “They should avail themselves of as many opportunities as they can to get their message out.”

“This survey is strictly non partisan,” Rosati added. “Everyone is given an opportunity to respond. We do not editorialize on their responses — we ask the questions and publish their responses.”

Rosati said she is always discouraged when candidates “stonewall the questionnaire,” especially to avoid controversial issues.

However, voters still have a right to call their candidate on the phone and ask them the questions personally, she said. For this reason, the published surveys include phone numbers.

Over the years, the survey has “earned a reputation of being fair and balanced,” she said.

“As always we are pleased with those who are enthusiastic and let folks know their beliefs,” she said.

The Hawaii Catholic Conference, the public policy office of the Diocese of Honolulu, began conducting these surveys in 1994. It has been partnering with the Hawaii Catholic Forum, a non-denominational family advocacy and educational organization, since 2000.

In addition to being published in the Hawaii Catholic Herald, the survey will be distributed in about 30 Catholic and Protestant churches. It will also be available on-line at www.hawaiifamilyforum.org.

“We hope it will reach about 100,000 people,” Rosati said.

The Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Catholic Conference will publish another survey for the November general election. That survey will probably include candidates for the state board of education.

Rosati urged voters to take some time before the Sept. 23 election day to locate their districts, learn about their candidates and review the issues.

The Hawaii Family Forum website has “everything you need to know about election season and details in an easy, ready to use format,” Rosati said.

Church or community groups who did not order copies of the primary election surveys may still order copies of the general election survey. If you have questions about the survey or need more information, contact Eva Andrade, Hawaii Family Forum communications director, at 203-6704. The survey will also be posted on the Hawaii Family Forum website at www.hawaiifamilyforum.org.