Oshiro said, "I hope they learn to spell. They spelled some things wrong, but I would hope they realize negative campaigning sometimes ends up hurting the candidate they are trying to help."

Silva said the flier is not negative but rather attention-getting to make sure voters support Okino at the polls.

But Oshiro said after the flier appeared, many people called and e-mailed to offer him their support.

"I received calls from about 15 people who said this turned their stomach, and so, they were definitely going to be voting for me and tell their friends because they found this distasteful," said Oshiro.