Candidates easily spent more than $1 million on a Honolulu mayor's race that wasn't to be -- at least not this fall. [CAMPAIGN SPENDING REPORTS]
Moot mayor’s race
burns $1 millionBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comAnd that does not factor in whatever Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono spent on the race through late May when Mayor Jeremy Harris quit his gubernatorial run, ending the mayoral contest and sending Hirono back into the governor sweepstakes.
Councilman Duke Bainum spent about $745,694 on his mayoral bid, according to the latest reports filed with the state Campaign Spending Commission yesterday. Former Councilman Mufi Hannemann spent $235,307 while former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro spent $45,521 and former Mayor Frank Fasi spent $1,580.
Bainum campaign manager Andrew Winer said about $400,000 came from Bainum and his family, which owns a number of businesses and properties on the mainland.
Winer said the campaign felt the funding was necessary to build familiarity with voters given that Bainum was the only one of five major candidates who had not yet run either a statewide or islandwide race. The campaign was also proud that the treasury included contributions from more than 2,300 individuals.
Bainum said the money was not spent for naught since he believes he has built a good springboard for the 2004 mayoral race. He will need to find more funding, however, as his report shows a deficit of $32,359.
Hannemann, Kaneshiro and Fasi have also announced that they likely will run for mayor in 2004.
Hannemann has a campaign war chest of $443,429 at his disposal while Kaneshiro has a surplus of $25,140. Fasi's report shows a deficit of $781,591.
Meanwhile, City Council candidates are starting to flex some financial muscle.
In District 4 (Hawaii Kai to Ala Moana), political newcomer Michael Abe reported $74,807 in receipts, $71,307 of that in a loan to himself. Abe, an estate planning and trust attorney, has spent about $26,307 to date. He said he "just got disgusted with everything going on" in city government and is willing to invest in a serious run.
The only other candidate in that race to have spent much money is state Rep. Charles Djou, who has expended $7,311 to date and has a surplus of about $35,015. Others, including former city Managing Director Bob Fishman, former Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii catering/convention director Cameron Heen and political unknown Terrence Teruya, have not yet reported contributions or expenses.
Serious money is also being spent on the District 2 (Mililani Mauka to Kaneohe) race. City administrator Ernie Martin has raised $29,200, expended $15,276 and has $21,409 in his account. Wahiawa Neighborhood Board Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz has raised $11,298, spent $9,539 and has $1,758.72 in his account. Former state Sen. Gerald Hagino reported $4,250 in receipts, $1,805 in expenses and a surplus of $4,764. Also in that race is former Councilman Kekoa Kaapu and political newcomer Charles Penn, who did not file.
In District 1 (Kaneohe to Makapuu), former state Sen. Stan Koki raised $9,400 in the six months ending June 30, spent $7,779 and has $20,318 in his account. Former television reporter Barbara Marshall raised $6,923, disbursed $1,336 and has $1,587, while veteran city planner Don Bremner reported $4,724 in receipts, $2,366 in expenses and a surplus of $1,579.