CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Frank Fasi, second from left, shook hands yesterday with Mufi Hannemann at the start of the forum. Also present were Duke Bainum, center, and Gregg Mueller, chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, far left.

Debate focuses
on farmers,
illegal gifts

Mayoral candidates Bainum,
Hannemann and Fasi trade jabs

Duke Bainum and Mufi Hannemann clashed yesterday over who has the best interest of island farmers and whose campaign is tainted by illegal contributions.

But it was another mayoral candidate, former Mayor Frank Fasi, who the stole the show at a forum yesterday, using humor and every opportunity to plug his views. At one point, Fasi declared that Bainum's and Hannemann's visions for Honolulu are the result of "everything I did as mayor."

"I have the experience. I don't have to learn the job," said Fasi, who served as mayor from 1968-80 and from 1984-94. "I know more about the local government than all of the would-be mayors put together."

Yesterday's event at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce was sponsored by several groups and was the first time the three major candidates shared the podium, answering questions about fixing potholes, mass transit and recycling.

The heat turned up when Hannemann and Bainum debated who has the best plan to give farmers tax relief.

The City Council meets today and is poised to override Mayor Jeremy Harris' veto of Bill 35. The bill is designed to give temporary tax relief to farmers and agricultural landowners who have been hit with soaring tax bills.

When Bainum was on the City Council in 2002, he authored a bill, which became law, that was supposed to impose a higher tax rate on agricultural lands not used for farming and owned by so-called gentlemen farmers. However, supporters of Bill 35 blame Bainum's bill for raising the property taxes for working farms.

Hannemann, who has received the endorsement of the Oahu Farm Bureau, said Bainum's bill "will signal the demise of the agricultural industry."

Hannemann said he supports the action taken by the Council in passing Bill 35. "The City Council is doing the right thing."

Bainum countered that his legislation is helping the majority of farmers by reducing taxes or keeping their taxes at the same level. He said the farmers who aren't getting tax relief are those who have not been able to get their landlords to dedicate the farmland to agriculture and that's where the law could use some tweaking.

But Bill 35 isn't the answer, he said. Bainum said Bill 35 is a windfall for special interests and will cause a $9.6 million budget deficit.

"I'd like to ask Mr. Hannemann, what taxes do you want to raise or jobs do you want to cut to find that $9.6 million?" Bainum said.

The most spirited exchange came during a question about illegal campaign contributions.

Hannemann responded to a mailer sent out by Bainum's campaign that says, "Mufi Hannemann has received more than $61,000 in illegal campaign contributions." Hannemann said Bainum was "trying to mischaracterize my position with respect to improper contributions."

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Duke Bainum spoke yesterday while Frank Fasi and Mufi Hannemann listened at the mayoral forum at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

"We've always complied," he said.

Hannemann said Bainum goes against his own campaign slogan of "honest change." "It seems to me it's more like politics as usual," he said.

Hannemann also said that if he had "all the money in the world like Mr. Bainum has," with his family wealth and $1 million in loans to his campaign, he wouldn't need to fund-raise for contributions.

Bainum replied, "I don't have to apologize for my family and myself working hard ... for being successful."

Bainum said he sent the flier to show the difference between himself and Hannemann.

"It's factual, it's accurate and has the documentation," he said. "And yes, you did receive $61,000 in illegal contributions and it wasn't voluntarily sent back."

Fasi's turn at the mike helped take the edge off the forum.

When asked how he would solve the backlog in building permits, Fasi instead talked about the "rust bucket" Aloha Stadium, saying it's time to tear it down and sell the land beneath.

Fasi, who often fought with the Council throughout his 22 years as mayor, was asked how he planned to build a positive relationship with the Council.

He replied: "I think that's old hat. For 22 years I got along with them. Once in a while we fight, but we got the job done. I'd like to use my time to ask you a question out there," and proceeded to talk about the hotel room tax.

"Where is the money and how can we get our hands on it? As your mayor, I know how without robbing the bank," Fasi said.