Bainum questions
union endorsement
Honolulu mayoral candidate Duke Bainum has questioned the 1,800-member Hawaii Fire Fighters Association's endorsement yesterday of his opponent, Mufi Hannemann.
Bainum responded later in the day that the union's Oahu political action committee voted 4-1 to endorse Bainum, "which leads me to believe I will receive the support of many of Honolulu's rank-and-file firefighters," he said.
"I look forward to working with the firefighters on the many important issues affecting the Honolulu Fire Department after the election," Bainum said.
Union President Robert Lee acknowledged problems with this year's endorsement.
Lee said Bainum was correct that the five-member political action committee recommended that the union endorse Bainum.
But the committee's recommendation is just one step in the endorsement process and the ultimate decision rests with the union's executive board, which voted unanimously to support Hannemann, Lee said.
"There are a lot of flaws in the process. We learned a lot going through this," Lee said. "I think we have a number of recommendations to prevent some of the problems in this endorsement from happening again."
Lee said members aren't polled because of the possibility of candidates "stacking" votes.
Hannemann commended Lee during the news conference announcing the endorsement because "the (endorsement) process that was conducted was fair, open, thorough."
Hannemann said, "It says in essence that you believe that I will carry out my pledge to ensure that public safety is a top priority for the city."
Bainum said that not getting the endorsement doesn't diminish his position that public safety is a top priority.
The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers is also endorsing Hannemann.
Duke Bainum campaign
www.dukebainum.com
Mufi Hannemann campaign
www.votemufi.com
Hawaii Fire Fighters Association
www.hawaiifirefighters.org