Hawaii Theatre to host mayor’s annual speech

Mayor Mufi Hannemann will present his fourth State of the City address at 10 a.m. next Thursday at the Hawaii Theatre.

Hannemann likely will touch on the same issues that he has in past speeches, including the city's sewer projects, public safety and transit.

Hannemann's speech might be more visual this year with a PowerPoint presentation to keep it shorter. In the past his State of the City addresses have run about an hour.

This is also the first year Hannemann will give the address in a venue other than Honolulu Hale. His first two speeches were presented in the City Council chamber on the third floor. Last year's was in the Honolulu Hale courtyard.

Hannemann decided on Hawaii Theatre because it can accommodate more people -- 1,400 -- and because it is in Chinatown, his spokesman said.

The cost of holding the speech at the Hawaii Theatre is about $10,000, which will be covered by a donation from the theater, according to Burton White, artistic director and general manager.

White said, "We think of this more as a community service. We have tried always to make the theater available to help Honolulu."

The City Council still has to approve the $10,000 gift. City Councilman Todd Apo, the Budget Committee chairman, said he thinks holding the speech at Hawaii Theatre is not a big issue because it was covered by a grant. However, Apo pointed out that the gift could have also been used for other city functions this year.

Hawaii Theatre usually receives a grant from the city every year. Last week, the city presented Hawaii Theatre with a $75,000 grant for its Hana Hou Hawaiian Music Series.