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SHOWDOWN
Bainum's 46% of the vote,
Hannemann's 43% propel
them to Nov. 2 general
Mufi Hannemann and Duke Bainum are headed for a showdown in the general election for the next mayor of Honolulu.
Bainum led the 10-candidate pack, getting 5,373 more votes than chief opponent Hannemann, but fell short of the more than 50 percent needed to avoid a Nov. 2 runoff.
Hannemann supporters were also upbeat after knowing for sure that the race was heading to a runoff.
Hannemann said that the support from family and friends is "what fuels my energy, fuels my enthusiasm of why we will continue to press forward and why we will go to every part of Oahu and we will build upon the momentum that we created in the last weeks," Hannemann said, followed by chants of "Mufi, Mufi, Mufi."
Former Mayor Frank Fasi came in third and played the expected role of the spoiler with 9.6 percent.
Fasi was home with his family watching the results but his wife, Joyce, said by telephone that he would comment later.
Both Bainum and Hannemann are now hoping to woo Fasi supporters.
"Mayor Fasi endorsed me in 2000 but it didn't go on to the general," said Hannemann, who ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Jeremy Harris for the city's top job four years ago. "I'm a great admirer of Mayor Fasi. There are many programs that he did for the city that I want to continue and I really feel that the Fasi voter will be very attracted to my candidacy because like Fasi I get it done."
Bainum said that Fasi's voters are loyal and are concerned about the people's interest. "That's exactly what I'm offering, looking out for people's interest, not special interest."
Hannemann said that he may be at a financial disadvantage because Bainum has spent about $3 million to Hannemann's $1 million.
"We had to rely on a lot hard work, a grass-roots message and just trying to get people to go out and early vote," said Hannemann, arm-in-arm with his wife, Gail. "As we've seen tonight, it's not going to be about money because if that were the case, it would be a runaway victory tonight for him."
He called on Bainum to take part in more debates.
Bainum said that the campaign's plan was to make it into the general election and considering that a lot of the independent voters didn't cast ballots today, he's pleased with the numbers.
Supporters at both camps were in a festive mood throughout the night, hoping to celebrate victories.
Scores of people were at Bainum's Kapiolani Boulevard campaign headquarters and cheered loudly when the first results showed Bainum slightly ahead.
Elly Raguindin, a truck driver, was waving his hands and clapping as the first results were announced. "At least he's ahead."
Raguindin, who said he's supporting Bainum because of Bainum's medical missions to the Philippines, has been going door to door, working the phone banks and sign-waving for Bainum since January.
Roy Amemiya, one of Bainum's campaign co-chairmen, said Fasi being in the race made it difficult for either of the leading candidates to get the necessary 50 percent plus one vote.
The big-band music started up at Hannemann's headquarters last night, prompting Pete Correa to swing his arms in front of him and wiggle his hips while bouncing in his chair.
"You want me to dance for you?" he asked with a chuckle.
Hannemann supporters gathered at Dole Cannery, where the campaign took over the second-floor food court. Supporters ate from the long buffet line of food -- a salad bar, sushi, tempura, prime rib, shoyu chicken, noodles and other goodies.
Correa, his brother Lee and their friend Mika Paulo were wearing polo shirts with "Vote Mufi Our Mayor" that they made themselves to differentiate themselves from other Hannemann supporters.
"We're hoping that Mufi will win," Pete Correa said.
PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE
www.hawaii.gov/elections