Bainum, Hannemann file
to run for mayor
Duke Bainum and Mufi Hannemann made it official yesterday, filing their nomination papers at City Hall to run for mayor.
Both candidates said yesterday's filing was a formality in what Bainum called the "the longest mayoral campaign in the world."
Bainum and his wife, Jennifer, arrived at Honolulu Hale at noon on what was dubbed "The Honest Change Express," a trolley decked out in blue-and-yellow signs and balloons with about two dozen supporters. Some were carrying brooms, a reference to Bainum's television commercials and campaign theme of cleaning up corruption at City Hall.
Bainum showed off a treasure chest with nomination papers that contained more than 8,000 signatures.
"We've been at an accelerated pace for months," Bainum said after filing his papers with the City Clerk's Office. "We're just going to continue a vigorous campaign like we've been doing so far."
A few hours later, Hannemann filed his papers and celebrated his 50th birthday outside City Hall by passing out cake after supporters sang "Happy Birthday."
"We knew all along that we wanted to be mayor," said Hannemann, who was surrounded by family and friends. "I can't think of any other way to celebrate a birthday than to have that birthday dream come true on Sept. 18," the date of the primary election.
Hannemann had nearly 100 supporters sign-waving along King Street in front of City Hall.
The two former city councilmen also used the opportunity before the news media to take jabs at each other.
Bainum talked about dozens of his campaign signs that have disappeared in different parts of the island.
Hannemann said disappearing signs are a fact of life during the course of campaigns and that it is a "minor issue."
Tuesday is the deadline for all candidates in this year's elections to file their nomination papers.