Hirono tells
supporters she will
run for mayor

She decides not to run for
governor and joins at least 4
others in a bid for City Hall

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By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono abandoned her run for governor this morning and declared herself a candidate for mayor of Honolulu. She would run to fill the anticipated vacancy that would be created if Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris steps down to run for governor.

She joins a crowded field that already includes Councilman Duke Bainum, former councilman Mufi Hannemann, former city prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi.

Hirono had been considered the closest rival to Harris in the Democratic primary, but her campaign staff has said she was finding it difficult to raise money for a statewide gubernatorial campaign.

"After much consideration, I've decided to run for mayor. I'm really excited about the prospect," Hirono said as she made her announcement before supporters this morning at the Plaza Club.

Hirono has about $200,000 in her campaign treasury.

Bainum and Hannemann had cordial reactions to Hirono's announcement.

"She's a real nice lady," Bainum said. "I welcome her to the mayor's race. It will provide for more choices for the voters, but it will give me more headaches."

"Maize's been a friend. Therefore I was quite surprised that she would abandon her quest for governor because she's been preparing for that for some time," Hannemann said. "But on the upside the people of Honolulu will benefit from having another person in the race. Afterall, elections are about choices."

On July 12 Hirono held a $50-per-person fund-raiser at the Dole Cannery with the intention of running for governor.

By leaving the race for governor Hirono breaks a Democratic party tradition, as the last three lieutenant governors, George Ariyoshi, John Waihee and Ben Cayetano all went on to become governor.

Hirono is a lawyer and formerly was an associate of the law firm of Shim Tam Kirimitsu and Naito. She is a former member of the state House of Representatives and has been in elected office since 1980.

She was born in Fukushima, Japan and is married to Leighton Oshima, also a lawyer.