Hirono caution
likely to spark
speculation

If she elects not to run for
governor, others might
join the race

---

By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono's sudden caution about running for governor is likely to trigger a new round of political speculation about the top elective posts in Hawaii.

Hirono declined to answer questions yesterday about her campaign for governor, although she already has held at least one fund-raiser for a statewide governor's race.

Saying she had to devote herself to preparing for a trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby for relief for Hawaii's economic crisis, Hirono said she would not talk about her campaign plans.

"This is not the time to be talking about my political future because the survival of the state is at stake," she told reporters before walking away and refusing to discuss her campaign.

A Hirono campaign worker, who asked not to be identified, did say the campaign is weighing the ability of Hirono to raise enough money for a run at the governorship. Another Hirono campaign supporter said last night that Hirono has gotten requests to run for mayor but that no decision has been relayed to supporters.

"A race for the candidate is a very personal decision, and to make the decision can be very tough for the candidate," said the campaign worker.

If the campaign shifts to a run for mayor, it also would raise questions for other candidates.

Andy Winer, campaign manager for Councilman Duke Bainum, who is running for Honolulu mayor, says Bainum will not change his tactics if Hirono runs for mayor.

"The campaign is about Duke's experience, and Lt. Gov. Hirono certainly doesn't have any experience at the city level," Winer said.

Former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann, an announced candidate for mayor, said he reserves comment on the Hirono situation.

If Hirono shifts, it may also speed Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa) to a campaign for governor.

Case said yesterday he is considering running for governor as an opponent to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris.

"There is plenty of room in the race for governor for an alternative to Harris," Case said. "I don't think Hirono is that alternative, and I think she is starting to reach that conclusion."

Because the Legislature is preparing for a special session that could start as early as Oct. 22, Case said he is hurrying a decision about whether to run for governor.

"I have been trying to focus on the legislative session, but I am not now able to confirm what my intentions are, but I will shortly make a decision, even though the timing may not be right," Case said.

If Hirono shifts her focus from a state to city race, she will lose some of her campaign funds, according to Robert Watada, state Campaign Spending Commission executive director.

Hirono reported in June that she had $211,544 in her campaign treasury. Watada said candidates running for mayor are allowed to accept contributions of $4,000 or less, while candidates for governor can take up to $6,000 from a single individual.

So, Watada said, if Hirono has contributions of $6,000, she would have to refund $2,000 of those donations.