The 12 candidates for Hawai'i's 2nd Congressional District bobbed and weaved their way through a unique televised forum last night that featured unusually pointed questions tailored to each person.

The 10 Democrats and two Republicans sparred with the event's moderators, rather than with each other, in a forum carefully structured to accommodate the large number of participants.

The candidates sometimes tap-danced away from the questions or reverted quickly to familiar stump speeches. But a few offered sharp zingers, and all gave unfamiliar voters a chance for a little more insight into their views, personalities and differences.

Crowded with credible candidates, no clear front-runner has emerged in either of the primary contests to fill the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ed Case, so the forum at the Hawai'i Theatre offered a chance for voters to get to know the field.

Dan Boylan, a history professor at the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu who helped moderate the event, said the event underscored how much political talent the candidates collectively offer.

"I know that sounds namby-pamby, but they're bright, they're experienced, they've been around, and with a couple of exceptions, they've all had legislative or (county) council experience," Boylan said. "The Republican candidates are not off on the fringe, and neither are the Democratic candidates. I think they're all good representatives of Hawai'i."

He agreed that some answers were evasive or added little new information to the race, but said that in itself can be telling to voters.

"Some people just spun their way out of the question, and some of them, it seemed to me, inadvertently answered the question whether they realized it or not," Boylan said.

John Hart, assistant dean of Hawai'i Pacific University's College of Communications, agreed that viewers can glean information from candidates in different ways.

"The audience, I think, can sense when the question isn't being answered, and there will certainly be a discussion in the media if they think a candidate was off the mark a lot," said Hart, who attended the event.

Alex Rasmussen-Silverstein, a Mililani High School senior, said the event was informative overall, but that candidates sometimes seemed "Orwellian" in their evasiveness.

"Overall, I think they did very well, but I think their answers were mostly political as things go, and they were dodging the questions, really," he said. "They got some good points across, and it was good to see the Democrats distance themselves from each other a little, since there are so many running. I think the Republicans also managed well, considering Hawai'i is a very Democratic state."

Billed as a way to determine how well-informed the candidates were on a variety of issues, the forum also put several candidates on the spot about their political style.

Former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, for instance, was asked whether voters should be cynical about her candidacy considering that this is the fourth campaign she has launched over two election cycles. She jumped into the 2002 governor's race, then out to run for Honolulu mayor, then back to the governor's race when former Mayor Jeremy Harris decided not to resign.

"I resent that," she joked, then went on to describe the "aloha" she has received during this Congressional campaign.

"The people are really responding to me and it certainly keeps me going," she said.

Her 2002 running mate, former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga, was asked to talk about running as the son of former U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga.

"I never once said 'Vote for Matt because I'm Sparky's son,' " he said.

However, he noted that his father left a great legacy and he learned a lot from him, and also from growing up in Washington, D.C.

"I watched closely how my father served in Congress," he said. "By working in Washington, D.C., by working on Capitol Hill, I know how Congress should work."

State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa was asked whether her "combative" style would play well in Congress, especially coming from a freshman Congresswoman in what could remain the minority party.

She argued that her independence is what would make her effective and she has proven over her eight years in the state Senate that she can be independent and still earn respect on both sides, even winning the endorsement of Small Business Hawai'i as a labor attorney.

"We need someone who can go in there and go toe-to-toe with the best of them and earn the respect of those across the aisle, as well as your colleagues," she said.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, former chairman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was asked about his style considering the turmoil the agency went through under his leadership. "The people of Hawai'i won't be sending a shrinking violet to Congress," he said. "I think, quite frankly, being tough is an asset."

After waxing eloquent on Hawaiian language and culture, Hee was also called on to explain what this meant for the other candidates, seven of whom are not Hawaiian.

"You don't have to be Hawaiian to speak the olelo or love these lands," he said.

Former state Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa was also asked about Hawaiian issues, but more pointed questions were asked on his stance on the 2001 federal tax cuts, which benefit him as an heir to the estate of James Campbell.

Arguing that the tax cuts benefit everyone, not just the wealthy, he said, "I would support the tax cuts and make them permanent."

His opponent in the Republican primary, Bob Hogue, contrasted himself from Kawana-nakoa by saying, "I represent you. I don't have a million dollars."

He was asked what reasons voters have to vote for him, other than he's a nice guy with a face they recognize from television. "I'm someone who stands up for the average guy," he answered.

State Sen. Gary Hooser, the first candidate up, immediately had to answer why he was the most qualified in a field of candidates that includes seven other experienced politicians.

"I'm the only Neighbor Island candidate," said Hooser, who represents Kaua'i. "I'm the only person who truly understands rural issues."

State Rep. Brian Schatz, 33, was asked about his relative youth, particularly in contrast to another primary race that has an 82-year-old candidate.

Noting that the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink and U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye were in their 30s when they won election, he responded, "The question should be who can do the best job in the next 10 to 20 years."

Businessman Hanalei Aipoa-lani, 27, also was asked about his age and why he would seek a Congressional seat rather than run for a more modest position.

"Our federal delegation deserves to have a young Congressman that will lead the young generations to come," he said.

Attorney Joe Zuiker, who is campaigning by literally running through the 2nd Congressional District, objected to a question that asked what he hoped to accomplish, considering that his chance of winning was slim.

"You think my chances are slim," he said.

He believes his chances are better, judging from the motorists honking in support as they see him jogging with his campaign sign held aloft. "Everywhere I run, I get hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of beeps," he said.

Councilman Nestor Garcia was asked to talk about his position on Iraq, which differs from the other Democrats.

He called the situation a "mess" that the country entered into under dubious reasoning, but unlike his opponents, is not yet calling for a withdrawal timetable.

Rather, Garcia said, the country first needs to take a careful assessment of its interests in the region, particularly in regard to gas and oil. He said that Hawai'i depends on oil for 90 percent of its energy needs and that oil fuels the jets that bring tourists to the state.

"We have to be very careful when we make decisions about what to do in that region," he said.

State Sen. Ron Menor was prepared for a question about the controversial gasoline price cap, and displayed an Advertiser article that said gas prices would have been lower this summer had the gas pricing regulation been in place.

"I took a tough stand on that because I felt it would be right for the consumers of Hawai'i," he said.

The audience included students from several high schools, some of whom posed questions to the candidates.

Margaret Siligo, a Waipahu High School senior who was in the audience, said some candidates seemed to dodge the questions, but called the event a "good experience" because it helped expose her to electoral politics.

Geraldine Agcaoili, a Waipahu High School senior, said she just turned 18 and will vote for the first time in this election. She said she appreciated the chance to learn a little more about the candidates, because she takes such matters seriously.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who was in attendance, said he thought the event's format worked well for the high number of candidates, but that he looked forward to direct debates between the two who reach the general election.

He noted that Zuiker, with his rapid-fire responses, seemed to be an unexpected crowd-pleaser among people who might not otherwise give him much thought. And Aipoalani, another first-time candidate, also stood out, Hannemann said.

"Zuiker was clearly the most entertaining of everyone, based on the applause and reaction, and Aipoalani's sincerity really came through," he said.

The KGMB9/Honolulu Advertiser forum was sponsored by The Pacific Resource Partnership and moderated by Advertiser political columnist Jerry Burris, Boylan and KGMB9 anchors Kim Gennaula and Keahi Tucker.

An editorial board including the moderators came up with two-thirds of the questions; remaining questions were submitted by high school students from the district.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.