Mufi's a big man with big aspirations
By Bob Dye
Kailua-based historian and writer
Mufi Hannemann, considered to be the early front-runner for Honolulu mayor in 2002, towers over everyone at Kim Chee No. 7, his favorite Korean restaurant in 'Aiea.
Even sitting down, his head is higher than that of the waitress who stands beside him to take the order. I feel like asking for a phone book to sit on.
His physical size is of political concern to him. "When a short guy, like Neil Abercrombie, shows some passion, people say, 'Wow, what a fighter that politician is.' But when a guy my size shows some passion, people say, 'What a bully.' "
He is sadly perplexed that some people react fearfully to him. But campaign strategists found out from focus groups that they do. And that's why in his race for Honolulu mayor last year, his advertising people tried to "soften his image."
That was a mistake, I tell him. I'd like someone in city hall who is big enough to kick incompetents in the seat of the pants, and throw crooks out the window. To be passionately in favor of integrity is OK with voters. Nothing wrong with a bully pulpit.
Mufi's 2002 campaign for mayor will be run differently, because it is a different kind of race. It's winner take all, no plurality required, the candidate with the most votes wins. No need to conserve resources for a runoff. Go for broke. And he won't be running against an incumbent with millions to spend.
Success at the polls depends on name recognition, access to resources, and timing, he says. "My last race gave me name recognition. I demonstrated I can raise money (more than a million). And the timing couldn't be better."
With Hawai'i voters moving more and more to the political center, centrist candidates like Hannemann have wide appeal to members of both major parties.
His political successes have been as a nonpartisan. He has worked in Hawai'i for a Democratic governor, and in Washington for Republican presidents Reagan and Bush. He is known and well-liked in the nation's capital by members of both parties. His campaign will emphasize his bipartisan connections in those halls of power.
"I'm the only mayoral candidate who has access to powerful people, old friends of mine, in Washington," he says. "And I'm the only candidate with experience at all three levels of government — local, state, and national. And I have solid accomplishments in international relations, not to mention in private corporations.
"But it's hard for me to say those things to people. It sounds like I'm bragging." He smiles shyly. "And I'll win any debate."
An athlete at Iolani and Harvard, Mufi has the heart of a competitor. He likes challenges, his face lighting up when he talks about the next race. He wonders how many people will end up running against him. The more the better, he thinks.
"Frank Fasi told me he wasn't going to run for mayor again, and then changed his mind. Maybe he'll change his mind again."
"No way!" Frank laughs. "Hey, I feel upbeat about this race. So far, I'm the only Republican running." The octogenarian informs me, "A Republican winning city hall is the key to a Republican winning the governorship. Remember, the mayor's race is over in September." He explains, whichever party controls the vast political resources of city hall in September moves its candidate into Washington Place in November.
The former mayor believes that Linda Lingle, the GOP standard-bearer, will see the political wisdom of backing him in the non-partisan contest. Is the silver fox on to something?
Linda Lingle doesn't think so. "There may be a few Republicans who would vote for him, but most members of the party would prefer a real Republican. Nobody trusts him anymore. He says one thing and does another." She refers to Fasi backing Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano, which didn't set well with Lingle's Republicans.
City councilman Duke Bainum may end up being Hannemann's biggest competition. He meets regularly with a campaign guru, but has not yet made even an unofficial announcement of candidacy. He had best hurry. He has name recognition problems, and that one's not solved overnight.
Other names are mentioned as potential candidates: city managing director Ben Lee, city prosecutor Peter Carlisle, city corporation counsel David Arakawa. But the speculation is idle.
A winner-take-all race is attractive to new and lesser-financed candidates.
Look for a woman or two to send up trial balloons soon.
The waitress brings the left-overs in white styrofoam boxes placed by size, biggest on the bottom, in a white plastic bag. Mufi hands the bag to me.
"You take this," he orders in a kindly voice. "You've got all those kids to feed."
When my youngest son came home from school he ate it all.
