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Hannemann
joins the race
for mayor

The candidate says the
city needs to move in a
different direction

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

Ending months of speculation, City Councilman Mufi Hannemann says he's decided to run against Mayor Jeremy Harris this fall.

"I believe that the city needs to move in a different direction," Hannemann said yesterday. A formal announcement is expected later.

Hannemann had declined to confirm speculation about his intentions until yesterday. Now in his sixth year as a councilman, he also had contemplated a run for Congress this year and had been courted by Republicans.

His campaign representatives filed organizational papers with the state Campaign Spending Commission this week and stated an intent to hold a fund-raiser next month for a mayoral run.

Hannemann has been among Harris' sharpest critics, a position that cost him the Council chairmanship last year after he and a minority of colleagues assailed the mayor's budget plans. Hannemann has since accused Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura and the new majority of being complacent.

"I'm concerned that our spending patterns are going to lead to us mortgaging our future, and there's a concern out there shared by many people that we need to do a better job of preparing Honolulu for the 21st century," he said.

Hannemann must resign from the Council before filing papers to run for mayor. He indicated he likely will wait until close to the July 25 filing deadline before doing that.

Harris has more than a 3-to-1 advantage over Hannemann in available campaign funds. In papers filed last month, the Harris camp reported nearly $1.5 million while Hannemann's committee reported about $430,000. Still, Hannemann said, "I feel fairly confident that there will be support from business and labor as well as the common, everyday person."

Rick Tsujimura, one of three co-chairmen for the Harris reelection committee, said Hannemann's challenge is welcome.

"We invite the debate about the mayor's record on his accomplishments," Tsujimura said. "The facts will bear out that he's been one of the most responsive mayors." Tsujimura cited Harris' vision team concept as an example of his community-based efforts.

Hannemann joins former Mayor Frank Fasi as a challenger to Harris in this fall's nonpartisan election. He is also the second incumbent Council member to announce an intent to leave midterm.

Last week, Councilwoman Donna Mercado Kim said she has made a preliminary decision to run for Senate President Norman Mizuguchi's Salt Lake-Aiea seat.

Hannemann, Kim and the seven other members of the Council are barred from running for reelection in 2002 because of term limits.

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http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us