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Mufi takes on
challenge of
a varied city

Just as Charles de Gaulle, the post-World War II president of France, could joke, "How can you govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese?" you have to wonder how anyone can be mayor of Honolulu.

How do you satisfy the calls to help the homeless that have migrated to Waianae, the farmers in Waimanalo, the seniors in Waikiki, the restless urbanites in Makiki and the perpetually petulant university crowd in Manoa? What is it that unites and doesn't divide the 1.1 million Honolulu inhabitants? The number of beaches on Oahu must certainly come close to the number of varieties of French cheese and each one has a unique group of supporters.

Unlike other cities, much of Honolulu doesn't feel it is a city, it is a place of pasture land, protected valleys and sacred Hawaii temples. And, did I mention that the U.S. military is allowed to blow up portions of the city to practice for war?

Hannemann himself managed to make his job more complicated with his incomplete vetting process for his first managing director nominee, John Reed, who had a reputation as a hard-nosed businessman. He also had been sued for allegedly making racists remarks. It was all in a court suit that Hannemann would have discovered in seconds if he clicked on his computer and typed "John Reed" into Google.

On the plus side of the ledger, Hannemann takes over from Jeremy Harris, whose intractable stubbornness on city issues ranging from the Waikiki Natatorium to unpopular bus plans made any new administration a welcome relief.

At the same time, Hannemann is a curious political animal, a Democrat who toyed with becoming a Republican. His ability to go from pidgin to Iolani and Harvard English allows him to put people at ease in saimin stands and boardrooms. Hannemann's need to network is so deeply ingrained that he formed the Pacific Century Foundation, to handle the Pacific Century Fellows and scholarships to continue the education of promising mid-career Hawaii executives and also work with underprivileged youth.

Even his supporters, however, say that if Hannemann has a weakness, it is a flashing temper that can block calm responses to questions.

Hannemann's own speech last week will serve him well as he governs Honolulu.

"We have a cherished and long-held tradition of breaking down barriers and pulling people together. The more we understand about what makes us special, the more confident we will be. The more we believe in ourselves, the more others will believe in us."