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Mufi and Duke
talk crime on radio
Hannemann boasts of SHOPO's
endorsement while Bainum details
a crime prevention plan
During radio interviews on the last weekend before election day, both candidates for Honolulu mayor promised to strengthen the Police Department.
Show hosts Michael Perry and Larry Price asked Bainum and Mufi Hannemann during separate five-minute interviews what they would do as mayor to address Honolulu's high rate of property crime.
According to Price, about 8,000 cars a year are stolen on Oahu -- enough to fill Aloha Stadium.
Hannemann said his commitment to crime fighting is reflected in endorsements by the police union (SHOPO) and the two most recent police chiefs, Lee Donohue and Michael Nakamura.
"I would hire more police officers, which is also very consistent with what our police chief, Boisse Correa, wants to do. He wants to get back to community policing," Hannemann said. He noted that he and his wife, Gail, have been property crime victims and understand people's frustrations.
Bainum added that he "would like to go beyond property crimes, to the root cause. ... The root cause is drugs -- ice and other drugs" that lead users to commit property crimes.
"I have a four-part plan that includes prevention, education, as well as treatment, as well as enforcement," Bainum said.
As mayor he would use excess city property for drug treatment centers, which could be built with federal grants and run by nonprofit organizations, Bainum said. He also said he would work to increase prison space for convicted offenders.
A Halloween theme wove its way through the mayoral hopefuls' first campaign stop yesterday. Bainum handed out little bags of gummy bear candies to some children in the Perry and Price show audience and Hannemann gave the hosts a pumpkin decorated with a Mufi sticker.
Then each hit the road to try and get out the vote.
One of Bainum's stops was the Aloha Cat Fanciers show at Ala Moana Park, where he said one lady insisted on taking his picture holding her prize cat. Another was a rowdy, kid-packed 30-year-anniversary of Kikaida event at the Japanese Cultural Center. Then he shook hands with midday customers at the Waioli Tea Room in Manoa Valley as rain cascaded off the roof.
Jay Harden, who enjoys bicycling, said he'll vote for Bainum because he supports better bikeways and more green space for Honolulu.
"I've watched his career and I trust his ability," Waikiki resident Ann Hinckley said of Bainum. "He's knowledgeable and I feel he'll do us good."
Hannemann attended events at the Aloun Farms pumpkin patch in Waipahu, a "Vote for Justice" rally for Hawaiian voters in Kapolei, and the Westside Youth Festival at Waianae Mall. By late afternoon he was sign-waving with dozens of supporters at the corner of Fort Weaver and Geiger roads in Ewa.
"He's an honest man and I think he is the only one who could bring honest change to the City and County of Honolulu," said Ropeti Ale of Kalihi, who has worked for Hannemann campaigns since his 2000 run against Mayor Jeremy Harris. "I respect him standing up for what he believes."
As drivers passed Hannemann sign-waving in Ewa, he made an attempt to respond to every shaka sign, wave or honk.
"I'm your man," Hannemann said to a truck driver honking. "Thank you. ... Thank you," he said to those yelling that they'd already voted for him, then added "Urge your friends and neighbors to go out and vote. ... OK for you brother. ... Mahalo."
"If this race was just a contest based on shaka signs," Hannemann said, "I'd win it in a landslide."
