Mayoral hopefuls
build coffersMufi Hannemann and
Duke Bainum raise thousands
of dollars preparing for the race
The two former city councilmen vying to be Honolulu's next mayor each have raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars so far, according to campaign spending reports filed yesterday.
The reports covering July 1 through Dec. 31 show Duke Bainum raising $186,314 in contributions during the reporting period and $751,157 so far in the race.
"The fact that we raised that money, people are responding to our message, the message that they want change," Bainum said.
His opponent, Mufi Hannemann, received $171,285 in contributions during the six-month period and $978,945 in contributions overall.
Hannemann said he continues to be grateful for the contributions he receives. "However at the end of the day, this campaign is not going to be about money. It's going to be who has the ideas, the experience and the lifetime commitment to public service."
Bainum's war chest now stands at $824,366, while Hannemann's campaign coffers are at $664,344.
Bainum, however, reported a little more than $1 million that he loaned to the campaign, $400,000 in the reporting period alone. Hannemann had no loans.
Bainum said the loans are his way to show his commitment and he doesn't know yet whether he will be loaning more money to his campaign.
Hannemann replied, "I certainly don't have the luxury that's going to contribute or loan us well over a $1 million."
The reports also show Bainum spending $174,278 during the reporting period for a total of $923,534 in expenditures.
"Clearly, when you're battling special interest and a lot of folks who don't want that kind of independent representation in the mayor's office, you've got to spend money to get your message out to the people," Bainum said.
Hannemann's campaign expenditures during the past six months come to $38,695. His overall expenditure total so far is $363,212.
"I think that's a definite indication of how I will also manage the city -- we'll just spend money when we have to. I just can't see a whole lot of money to be spent at this point," Hannemann said.
Bainum's expenditure reports shows that a little more than $50,000 being spent on mainland political and public relations consultants that include $32,000 for polling firm Cooper & Secrest from Alexandria, Va., $12,000 for public relations firm The MacCabee Group, and nearly $10,500 for campaign consultant Dixon/Davis Media Group.
Bainum said that he has both local and mainland consultants because campaigns have changed over the years. "As we've seen campaigns get more complex and get more detailed and get more sophisticated, you need the best minds out there."
Hannemann said that he doesn't see himself going to a mainland firm for political consulting. "This is a race to be Honolulu mayor. Who better to advise and strategize with us than people who are from the islands?"