In an unprecedented arrangement, KGMB, KHNL, KFVE and Clear Channel Radio station KHVH will all simulcast KITV’s Mayoral Debate live tonight starting at 7 p.m. PBS Hawaii will re-broadcast the debate at 9 p.m.

"In order to best serve the public with this important debate, Hawaii's local broadcasters have agreed to make the production as widely available as possible," said KITV President and General Manager Andrew Jackson.

As a result of ongoing retransmission-consent negotiations between KITV’s parent company, Hearst Television, and Time Warner Cable, KITV is currently not being retransmitted on Oceanic Cable, the region’s dominant cable provider.

The arrangement for tonight’s debate makes it possible for the largest possible audience to view this important event.

The debate, hosted by KITV News and CivilBeat.com, will include incumbent Mayor Peter Carlisle and opponents Kirk Caldwell and former Governor Ben Cayetano.  The 90-minute, live forum will originate from the KITV studio, and will also be streamed live on www.kitv.com and www.civilbeat.com.

KITV4’s veteran newscaster Paula Akana will moderate the debate.  It will also feature questions from a panel of three reporters;  KITV’s Andrew Pereira and Catherine Cruz along with Chad Blair of CivilBeat.com - as well as questions from the viewing public via digital and social media.

KITV, Channel 4, is the ABC-affiliated TV station serving Honolulu.  The station is owned by Hearst Television Inc.