Mayoral debate turns raucous

Challengers Ann Kobayashi and Panos Prevedouros attack incumbent Mayor Mufi Hannemann

STORY SUMMARY »

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his proposed $4 billion rail-transit system took the brunt of criticism last night as the three top candidates for mayor took part in their first debate.

The program, which allowed the candidates to ask each other questions, also focused on Hannemann's leadership style and what City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi called "bullying."

More than 300 supporters watched the debate, moderated by members of the news media, at the Hawaii Theatre ahead of the Sept. 20 primary.

Kobayashi and University of Hawaii civil engineering professor Panos Prevedouros remained critical of Hannemann, but tossed each other mostly softball questions.

"There was a lot of collaboration and tag-teaming going on," Hannemann said afterward.

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The three top candidates for Honolulu mayor sparred in their first debate last night, with most of the attacks directed at Mayor Mufi Hannemann on his proposed $4 billion rail-transit system and on his leadership style that City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi described as "bullying."

Kobayashi took a more aggressive approach from the beginning of the debate, sharply criticizing the mayor in a manner different from her typically friendly tone.

"With Mufi, I don't see results," Kobayashi said. "I don't see courage and I don't see integrity. I see blame, bullying and excuses."

Hannemann, who is known for his debating skills, remained calm for most of the night and didn't respond to many of the attacks. On the "bullying" comment though, Hannemann shot back at Kobayashi.

"It really saddens me every time you talk about me being a bully," Hannemann said. "I want you to know that you bring dishonor to my parents when you do that. ... I really think you should be very careful in using that word in describing me."

More than 300 supporters watched the debate in the audience of Hawaii Theatre, with Hannemann's supporters standing out dressed in red, his campaign color.

The debate comes a week and a half before the primary election on Sept. 20. If a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes, the candidate wins outright. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters go on to the general election.

The debate last night showed that Kobayashi could take a more aggressive approach and that University of Hawaii at Manoa engineering professor Panos Prevedouros is attempting to shed his image as a one-issue candidate.

The biggest issue of the night, which took up much of the 90-minute debate, was Hannemann's proposed elevated 20-mile rail system running from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

Hannemann defended his selection of a steel wheel on steel rail system, while Prevedouros and Kobayashi criticized him for the way the contracts totaling more than $100 million were awarded.

"We have to make sure the money isn't being spent excessively, the contracts should not be a nonbid contract," Kobayashi said. "We have to make sure there is fiscal integrity."

Hannemann responded, saying, "Ann, you've been on the Council, you should know the rules. The administration is not involved in the procurement process. ... To somehow say that I handpicked these companies is a distortion of the facts."

Hannemann has been critical of whether his opponents would have enough experience to be mayor - Prevedouros has no political experience, while Kobayashi has never had power as an executive. Hannemann did not ask that question last night. The candidates also did not debate the island's only landfill, a contentious issue for Leeward Oahu residents who want it closed.

In an unusual format that allowed for lively debate, the candidates had the opportunity to ask each other questions. Prevedouros and Kobayashi remained critical of Hannemann, but asked each other questions on less controversial topics.

"There was a lot of collaboration and tag-teaming going on here," Hannemann said after the debate. "There was a lot of two-on-one."

Prevedouros and Kobayashi both denied that there was any coordination going on. Prevedouros said he believes Hannemann is his main competitor and remained more critical of him.

Kobayashi questioned Hannemann on his failure to commit for the full four-year term as mayor. Hannemann countered with his own accusations of political gamesmanship, questioning Kobayashi's last-minute filing for mayor that led to a series of election mishaps and allowed for Hannemann's former opponent, Duke Bainum, to run in an uncontested race for her seat.

The debate last night was co-sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and The Honolulu Advertiser and was aired on KGMB-9.