HONOLULU -- People who live and work downtown are critical of Gov. Linda Lingle and the woman she appointed to the Legislature who owes more than $100,000 in state taxes.

Lingle appointed small business advocate Beverly Harbin to fill a vacant seat in the state House representing downtown, Kakaako and parts of Makiki. However, KITV found that Harbin's failed auto repair business owes the state $125,000 in taxes.

KITV could find only one of her new constituents who wasn't critical of the situation.

"Well, I guess that can happen to the best of us," Kris Kimball said.

Most people KITV spoke with who live and work in Harbin's downtown House district criticized her.

"I certainly do not want someone who is breaking the law or has not done their due diligence in paying their debt to make laws for me, who is taking care of my tax obligation," Gary Kahn said.

"I think she ought to pay up her bill, because it's your money and my money involved," Barbara Chang said.

"What's surprising to me is that someone who's going to step into the public arena and hold public office wouldn't consider the fact that that sort of thing is going to come to light. And maybe, you know, she should have declined in the first place," Mike Gonsalves said.

Others were critical of the governor and her staff. That's because while they checked Harbin's criminal background, they failed to make a financial background check and didn't know about her big tax debts until KITV first reported them on Monday.

"It's a little distressing to me that something like this can get past the governor's office," Flo Johnansen said.

"Why didn't they do a background check? The thing is, they just assume everything is good. But, you know, to be a good business person, you have to have a clean personal life, too," Mike Miller said.

Harbin did not disclose her tax problems to Lingle during her interview. Lingle said if Harbin had done so, the governor would not have appointed her to the job.

Harbin has said she won't resign.