Familiar faces eager to succeed Harris

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

In the wake of Mayor Jeremy Harris' announcement that he will run for governor in 2002, at least three familiar faces at City Hall are lining up to replace him.

Mayor Jeremy Harris will step down to run for governor. Advertiser library photo

Harris, who was re-elected last September, has said he will step down as mayor by summer 2002 to run for governor in the fall elections.

City Clerk Genny Wong said she doesn't foresee any added cost for having a special election for mayor because it will be held during the primary election next year. All nine council members are running next year.

"We don't anticipate any problems," Wong said. "We have ample time; we kind of know what to expect."

Bainum said he is committed to running for mayor and believes he has demonstrated that he can get things done in government.

He said he supports decision-making that empowers the community and is proud of the work on moving the city toward an improved and expanded bus-rapid transit system.

"I also believe," he said, "in restoring the urban core while keeping the country 'country.' "

Hannemann, who quit the council last year to run unsuccessfully against Harris, said he believes that his showing in the last mayoral election puts him in good position to run next year.

"Experience is really going to count for a lot," he said.

He touched on his familiar campaign themes of being someone who's worked in the private sector in business and as a teacher, as well as in all three branches of government.

"We'll offer the best vision to make this city the most livable," Hannemann said. "We need more than a manager, we need a leader and a visionary."

He said he's got the people, the money and the momentum to run for mayor. "I really love this city; this is my hometown," Hannemann said. "I see this as an opportunity to give back."

First lady Vicky Cayetano said she was interested in running for mayor because she thinks the Honolulu should work more closely with the state than leaders did in the past. But, she said she doesn't believe that the time is right for her to run for office, so she'll continue to work to serve the community behind the scenes. "Being a mother and a wife has to come first."

City Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said he's ruled out running for mayor but is "very interested in running for lieutenant governor."

And he supports Harris in the governor's race.

"I'm very excited about what we've been able to do here at the city," Yoshimura said. "We've taken decision-making to the communities. His actions prove that he has vision and leadership."

Also ruling himself out of the race is City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle who won re-election last year and faces no term limits in his present job.

Republican Party Executive Director Micah Kane took Harris to task, saying the mayor believes "his personal ambitions are more important than serving in the seat he was just elected to six months ago."

But Harris said if the City Council passes his proposed budget, which it is expected to do, he will have been able "to accomplish all that he has set out to do," before heading off to run for governor next year. Harris said through a spokeswoman that he points with pride to: rebuilding Waikiki, rejuvenation of downtown and the vision team process of involving the community in construction planning.

Harris also cited work to begin refurbishing the city's aging sewer system, transportation plan and new parks and park improvements that include the Waipi'o soccer complex and 297-acre Central O'ahu regional park.