CRYSTAL KUA / CKUA@STARBULLETIN.COM Mayor Mufi Hannemann sang with entertainer Marlene Sai at his inaugural festivities yesterday at Honolulu Hale.

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Mayor sets tone
for curbside recycling

His public inauguration raises
hope for harmony with
the UPW and Council

Mayor Mufi Hannemann was singing a happy tune in more ways than one yesterday as he was sworn in for a second time in a ceremonial inauguration at Honolulu Hale.

Hannemann used the occasion to report he is making progress to start curbside recycling. He is expected to meet with officials from the United Public Workers today to work out the details.

"We're going to start laying out the specifics in terms of starting curbside recycling, something that broke down with the last administration," said Hannemann, who formally became mayor on Sunday in a private inauguration in Kapolei.

More than 600 people packed City Hall for yesterday's public inauguration.

At the encouragement of entertainer Marlene Sai, Hannemann sang a couple of songs, including "Honolulu City Lights" and "Honolulu, I Am Coming Back Again."

In his speech, Hannemann promised to work cooperatively with the City Council, governor, state Legislature and city employees.

City Hall's past has been "marred by controversy, conflict and blame," said the former Council chairman. "That must stop, and we need to stop it now. So rather than compete, it behooves us to work together with our co-leaders."

Council members praised his message.

"I was really inspired," Council Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi said. "I thought the spirit of cooperation, not worrying about jurisdictional lines -- that was so good to hear. I think he'll be very open, and we won't have to constantly beg for information and ask for opening the books. I think this present administration will be willing to work together."

Hannemann's speech was short on details, but his aides said he is expected to outline his plans in his State of the City address, likely to be given in February, before he submits a budget to the City Council on March 1.

Hannemann did cite some specific plans yesterday, with curbside recycling at the top of his list. Recycling has been held up by a grievance filed by the UPW after the previous administration announced it would hire private contractors to do the work. The UPW maintains that violates an agreement with the city.

But Hannemann already indicated that a new agreement would remove private contractors from the program. And a deal is likely since the UPW endorsed him in the mayoral campaign.

United Public Workers leader Dayton Nakanelua expressed optimism earlier this week that a settlement could be reached soon.

"I had some preliminary talks with them," Hannemann said. "They're willing to come to the table, and I expect we'll have an agreement this month."

Hannemann said that curbside recycling will probably start in Mililani, where the pilot project began, and then move to other areas.

"I'm going to make it real clear when recycling is going to come to your community," he said. "Just to restart it again for the sake of restarting makes no sense to me."

Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz said he has discussed both recycling and bulky-item issues with the mayor.

"It's obvious he didn't waste any time. As soon as he walked into the door, things are starting to move," Dela Cruz said.