Firefighters union endorses
Hannemann for mayor

Mayoral candidate Mufi Hannemann picked up the endorsement of the Hawaii State Fire Fighters Association on Friday.

"He's clearly the best candidate to provide the vigorous and creative leadership Honolulu will need to meet its mounting social and economic challenges," Local 1463 President Robert H. Lee said.

The union represents more than 1,860 county and state firefighters throughout Hawaii, with 1,100 living on Oahu.

Hannemann, a former member of the City Council, said he was pleased with the support.

"An expression of support by people who often lay their lives on the line for us is particularly meaningful because it reflects their confidence and trust in my leadership ability," Hannemann said.

Other announced candidates in the nonpartisan mayoral election are Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, City Councilman Duke Bainum, former Mayor Frank Fasi and former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro.

A special mayoral election would be triggered when Mayor Jeremy Harris steps down to enter the governor's race.

Young enters Senate race

Former state House Vice Speaker Jackie Young says she wants to try her luck in the state Senate next year. Young, who represented the Windward side from 1990 to 1994 before unsuccessfully running for lieutenant governor, announced her candidacy for the Kailua-Waimanalo district now held by Republican Sen. Fred Hemmings.

Democrat Young is the director of marketing for the American Cancer Society and is an adjunct professor at Hawaii Pacific University.

"I want to return to the Legislature to ensure that education is a priority, to move Hawaii toward truly being a healthy aloha state and to restore the public's confidence in the political system," Young said.

Takumi seeks re-election

Democratic state Rep. Roy Takumi has filed nomination papers for re-election to the 36th House District.

The district currently covers Waipahu and Pearl City but, as a result of redistricting, will represent only Pearl City in the future.

Takumi, 49, has been chairman of the House Higher Education Committee for the past two sessions and has worked this past session on legislation to reduce the high cost of prescription drugs.

Under the reapportionment plan, Takumi will share the same district as Democratic Rep. Nobu Yonamine, who is also considering a run for the seat. Democrat Charles Aono is also running.

Anderson runs for House

J. Ikaika Anderson intends to throw his hat into the ring to run for the state House seat currently held by Rep. Joe Gomes (R, Waimanalo-Enchanted Lake).

Anderson, 24, has spent five years working in the state House and Senate. He was a budget analyst with the House Finance Committee and an administrative assistant to the Senate minority leader.

Anderson, who plans to file nomination papers as a Democrat, lives in Waimanalo and is vice president of Haliipua Flowers 'N Things in Kaneohe.

Anderson continues the political dynasty that includes his grandfather, former state Rep. and Sen. Whitney Anderson, and his great-uncle, Democratic gubernatorial candidate D.G. "Andy" Anderson, who is a former Republican legislator and two-time unsuccessful candidate for governor.

Maui water agency vote

WAILUKU >> Maui voters may be faced with conflicting County Charter water amendments in the November election.

The Maui County Charter Commission has proposed an amendment to give greater independence to the semiautonomous Department of Water Supply.

The commission wants to have "less politicization" and a "more businesslike" water department, said University of Hawaii law professor Jon Van Dyke, who advised the panel.

But the County Council's Committee of the Whole has its own proposed amendment, which would bring the agency back under control of the mayor as a regular county department.

The committee voted unanimously this past week to ask the commission to replace its proposal with the Council's.

Councilwoman Charmaine Tavares, who offered the substitute proposal, said the commission probably will not change its stand.

That could mean both proposals may end up on the ballot.

The Department of Water Supply became semiautonomous in 1989.

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