[ HONOLULU MAYOR ]
Neither candidate
has incumbent’s edge
The last time that occurred in Honolulu
was in 1968, when Frank Fasi first ran
» Mayoral candidates Q&A
The last time Honolulu's mayoral election didn't have a sitting mayor as a candidate was in 1968.
But now, 36 years later, two more candidates who aren't currently in the city's top elected post want the job.
It'll be up to Duke Bainum and Mufi Hannemann to convince general election voters why each would make the better leader of the city for the next four years.
But neither candidate has the advantage of an incumbent track record running the 11th-largest U.S. municipality.
So now voters will have to look to, among other things, their City Council stints, their other leadership posts -- Bainum served in the state House, and Hannemann was director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism -- and their positions on the issues.
But that might not be easy.
Both candidates have been criticized as not being specific enough on their plans for the city.
They have attacked each other on a variety of issues including leadership styles, flip-flopping positions, their Council voting records and campaign spending issues.
And their positions on certain issues are also quite similar -- both are now in favor of a light-rail transit system as the long-term transportation solution, and they say fixing potholes and maintaining sewers and parks are core functions they will pursue.
Voters already appear torn.
In the primary election, Bainum led the 10-candidate slate with 46 percent of the vote, but Hannemann was right behind with 43 percent of the vote.
Neither candidate mustered the necessary 50-percent plus one vote to win the nonpartisan contest outright on Sept. 18.
Both candidates are now trying to win the 17,000 votes garnered by former Mayor Frank Fasi, who finished third in the primary, as well as the votes of people who did not vote in the primary but will in the general election. The tight U.S. presidential race is expected to bring more people to the polls.
Fasi has endorsed Hannemann, and Hannemann believes that could lead to Fasi voters picking him. But Bainum said that he didn't seek Fasi's endorsement because he wants to separate himself from the past.
Some observers have said the primary election votes for Fasi were mainly by those who couldn't make up their minds between Bainum and Hannemann.
The last time there was no incumbent in the mayor's race, Fasi was one of the newcomers.
Then-Mayor Neal Blaisdell decided against running for re-election and instead set his sights on a congressional run. That led to a 1968 general election matchup between Fasi and Herman Lemke, both of whom served on the City Council.
Fasi won and held on to the seat until defeated by Eileen Anderson in 1980. Anderson ran for re-election but lost to Fasi in 1984.
Fasi remained in office until he resigned in 1994 to run for governor.
Jeremy Harris, then Fasi's managing director, was sworn in as acting mayor in 1994, the year he first ran -- and won -- the job in a special election to fulfill Fasi's remaining term. Harris won re-election in 1996 and 2000. Harris can't run again because of term limits.
[ HONOLULU CITY CHARTER ]
Commission would tackle
city budget and legal issues
A City Charter Commission could be convened by Dec. 1 if voters approve a proposed charter amendment.
A Charter Commission could take up issues such as giving the Ethics Commission the power to fine violators; selecting the corporation counsel; and moving the city from a budget passed annually to one passed every two years.
The idea for convening a Charter Commission came about during City Council discussions about whether the corporation counsel should be an elected or appointed position and whether the Council should have greater oversight on the selection and removal of the city attorney.
A "yes" vote would also change the appointment of a commission to every year ending in "4."
A Charter Commission was last formed in 1998.
If approved, three other charter proposals would:
>> Allow the council to appoint a temporary replacement for a Council member called up for active military duty out of state for more than 180 days.Councilman Charles Djou, a lieutenant in the Army Reserve, inspired the proposal. "Yes, I guess it's me. I am surprised that I am the first Council member that this might affect," he said.
There is no provision currently that allows for a temporary replacement of a Council member called to active duty.
Djou said he supports the change for several reasons, including preventing a costly election from being held to find a replacement.
>> Make the staff of the Neighborhood Commission civil service employees, except for the executive secretary. Proponents say the change would provide stability for commission employees, who are appointees and could be removed at the whim of the mayor. Opponents say civil service is not flexible for hiring and other employment practices.
>> Increase the number of Neighborhood Commission members who have served on a neighborhood board to five of the nine commission members. Since 1992 only one has been required to have served on a neighborhood board.
To be approved, each proposal must win a simple majority; blank ballots do not count.
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