HARRIS DROPS OUT
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
At his campaign headquarters last night, Keith Kaneshiro, above, talked with his supporters about the absence of a mayor's race this year and making a run in another two years.
Fellow office- Stunned, surprised and astounded.
seekers stunned
"I couldn't believe it," says
Fasi, whose reaction was
echoed by several othersWhat do you think about Mayor Jeremy
Harris' decision to drop out of the governor's race?By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.comThose were some of the reactions by former candidates for Honolulu mayor after having spent much time, money and energy on a race that no longer exists.
While everyone seemed surprised, some were less disappointed than others.
"I couldn't believe it," said former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi. "Then again, I thought to myself that the fact that he is not running is the best thing that's happened to the people of Hawaii."
Former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann said: "I am extremely disappointed. We were positioned to win this race. We put a lot of work in this. We raised a lot of money. We had a first-class campaign and we were getting endorsements.
"We were so focused that there was going to be a mayor's race in 2002 that there was no plan B."
For others, plan B came quickly.
"My statement is that I will be running for governor," said Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono during a news conference held half an hour after Harris announced he would not be running for governor. Hirono had originally been campaigning for governor until last November, when she announced she would be running for Honolulu mayor.
Six seconds after making her brief announcement, Hirono followed up with, "You all have any questions?"
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mayor Jeremy Harris met the news media yesterday to announce that he would not run for governor this year.
While most of the ex-candidates did not want to comment about Harris' reasons for dropping out of the race -- because he was behind in the polls -- some said that in hindsight it made sense.
"If he was going to do it, this was the time to do it, before the Democratic convention," said former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. "But I still see a need to provide leadership for the city."
"In about two years I'll have another chance," Kaneshiro said.
While Kaneshiro said he would not be seeking political office because he is not a "career politician like some other candidates," some candidates such as City Councilman Duke Bainum said that "future plans will include some form of public service."
In a news release yesterday, Bainum stated: "In the next few days, I intend to spend time with my family and friends and to discuss my future with them. ... I had my heart set on becoming Honolulu's next mayor, and we never intended to run for any other office."
Even so, there will be a plethora of public offices to run for this year. All 76 seats in the Legislature, 25 in the Senate and 51 in the House are up for election.
All nine seats on the Honolulu City Council also will be up for election, though Bainum is not eligible to run because his term limit is up. Both of Hawaii's seats in the U.S. House are also up for re-election.
"The plan now is to take a step back and sit down to my family and supporters and discuss various options in 2002," said Hannemann. "I think everything is on the table. Today, I'm not prepared to say what that might be."
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
In his office, former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi talked about Jeremy Harris dropping out of this year's governor's race.
In regard to a statement by Fasi that Hannemann might now be considering a run for lieutenant governor, Hannemann said: "Those are just rumors. Right now we need to take two steps back. ... I'm still shell-shocked."
Fasi said Harris' announcement helped him find some peace.
"I don't hate him anymore," said Fasi with a smile, recalling when Harris did not support his own run for governor in 1994. "He tried. He had some good ideas."
Harris served as city managing director when Fasi was mayor.
"But I'll say this: Jeremy Harris' worst enemy is Jeremy Harris."
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What do you think about Mayor Jeremy
Harris' decision to drop out of the governor's race?
"(I) was impressed with him. I think he's very good. I think he should replace the governor right now. (It's) kind of a pity."
Fawn Andermann
39, Chinese goods trading consultant"I like him. I wish he would run."
Delphine Mossman
44, receptionist"I guess it's good. ... What he can't provide for us, somebody else can."
Santy Castro
30, volunteer"He doesn't feel it's worth the hassle. I don't blame him."
William Post
55, U.S. history teacher at William Paul Jarrett Intermediate School, Palolo Valley"I think it's a smart move on his part. I certainly wouldn't vote for him. I'm not pleased with the job he's done as mayor."
Ellen Wcislo
43, legal secretary"I'm shocked to death. He (Harris) probably feels ... why risk his seat, his job."
Rodney Tomlinson
40, collector"It's a good idea -- there's a lot of conflict going around about him -- (but) if I was a registered voter, I would have voted for him."
Tamsyn Eaton
20, telephone interviewer at Starr Seigle Advertising"Good."
Caroline Tata
52, Docutrieve Inc. document scanner"I would like to know why. I think he's doing a good job already."
Derrick Domingcil
33, auto detailer"That's astonishing. What's poor Mazie (Hirono) think about that?"
Carl Foytik
56, William S. Richardson School of Law student"Running for governor, being a mayor -- you can't do both."
Julia Miller
50, data entry operator"I feel it's wise for him. It will enable him to maintain his position as mayor."
Randy Pang
36, prosthetist at Pacific Medical Healthcare & Supply
Reported by Mary Vorsino, Star-Bulletin
