Yoshimura to
head City Council

A new majority of six will
remove Hannemann, Felix and
Kim from their posts next week

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Opponents of ousted City Council Chairman Mufi Hannemann say a hostile relationship with Mayor Jeremy Harris and questionable budget proposals contributed to his downfall.

Councilman Jon Yoshimura, the former television reporter-turned-attorney originally from Wailuku, yesterday said he has a majority of six backing him as chairman.

For Oahu residents, the shift will mean budget cuts proposed by Hannemann and Budget Chairman John Henry Felix -- described as draconian by Harris -- are less likely. The plans include eliminating deputy department heads, up to 363 employees, and certain projects associated with the mayor's community-based visioning program.

At what cost, however, remains to be seen. Hannemann insisted the cuts were necessary to stave off a proposed garbage fee, and the new majority insisted it still is opposed to such a fee.

The shift in power is expected to be formally approved at a Council meeting slated for Monday.

Joining Hannemann in a loss of power are Felix and longtime Zoning Chairwoman Donna Mercado Kim.

Rene Mansho and Andy Mirikitani, considered the swing votes in Hannemann's removal, find themselves in more powerful positions, as does John DeSoto.

Also, Duke Bainum and Steve Holmes, near outcasts under Hannemann, enjoy a return to the majority.

"For some time now, we've been concerned about the animosity here at City Hall," Yoshimura, 40, told reporters. "We don't think it's conducive to good work."

Bainum said some of the proposed cuts were "insensitive." In the meantime, he said, work at Honolulu Hale was "grinding to a halt" due to the infighting between Harris and Hannemann.

DeSoto, who lost the chairman's job to Hannemann last year, said the old leadership was not listening to constituents.

Hannemann and Kim said Harris lobbied their colleagues heavily for a leadership change, leading to concerns that the new majority will be a rubber stamp for Harris and his budget initiatives.

"Mayor Harris obviously got his way," Hannemann said. "He was very much involved with this change."

Position cuts and the potential deletion of visioning projects were prime examples of how Hannemann and the old majority were not listening to the public, Yo-shimura said.

"We've had hundreds of people working hundreds of hours to tell us what they think their vision is for their communities," Yoshimura said. "And to just reject their proposals ad hoc is really a slap in their face and a slap in the face of democracy."

Yoshimura said he doesn't know where the money will come from to restore the money slated for the ax by the old majority.

"We are going to have to find some money somewhere, but that's why we need to work with the administration, because I'm sure they have some ideas," Yoshimura said.

Hannemann has argued that his position on the visioning projects and other budget issues has been misstated by Harris. Many positions and programs were cut because the administration failed to justify them, he said.

Kim said "a trimmer and leaner budget will not happen" as a result of Yoshimura's ascension.

Hannemann said the false "horror stories" spread by the mayor contributed to his ouster.

And he said people forgot that the recommendations were simply preliminary.

Also, "some Council members hold a longstanding grudge toward Donna (Kim)," Hannemann said.

Harris said he's happy with the change.

"I think we're going to see a period of cooperation and successful teamwork like we've never had before at City Hall," the mayor said. "The public is tired of all of the political wrangling."

With Bainum out of town, only DeSoto and Holmes joined Yoshimura in announcing the changes to the media, leading some to believe the new leadership is vulnerable.

But Mansho, who said she had a previous engagement, said she's "solid as a rock" on her decision to join the new majority.

"This is the best team we've ever had," she said.

Hannemann refused to speculate if he would try to take back the chairmanship.

"I'll abide by the will of the Council," he said.

Kim, known for her combative nature, was reflective about her ouster and said she had no plans to attempt a return to the Zoning Committee chair she's held since 1986.

"I'm looking forward to watching how this new group will work."

The new power chart The City Council is slated to meet Monday to approve the following new committee leaders. Current assignments are in parentheses. Jon Yoshimura: Council chairman (Policy) Rene Mansho: Council vice chairwoman, Budget and Economic Development chairwoman (Parks, Health and Safety) Andy Mirikitani: Majority leader, Planning and Public Safety chairman (Transportation) John DeSoto: Zoning chairman (Planning) Duke Bainum: Policy chairman (Customer Services) Steve Holmes: Public Works and Environmental Services chairman (Cultural Affairs) Mufi Hannemann: Transportation chairman (Council chairman, Executive Matters and Economic Development) John Henry Felix: Parks chairman (Council vice chairman, Budget and Public Works) Donna Mercado Kim: Community and Customer Services chairwoman (Zoning)