Posted on: Sunday, August 1, 2004

COMMENTARY

By Mufi Hannemann

As I have consistently maintained, the uncertain state of city finances and pressing demands for basic government services mean that the next administration will face challenges aplenty.

Such times call for a mayor who will not require on-the-job training. A Hannemann administration offers solid experience and clear ideas on our direction and priorities that will enable us to hit the ground running in the crucial first 100 days.

Appointing Cabinet

Selecting a strong, nonpartisan and highly ethical Cabinet and staff will be the most immediate challenge.

The members of our team will "reflect the faces of Hawai'i," not only in their diversity, but in their experience, knowledge and creativity. At the same time, all will have in common fresh ideas and perspectives, the skill to lead and unite people on realizing our goals, and the will to turn dreams into reality.

Cabinet meetings will be held weekly in Kapolei to add symbolism and substance to its standing as O'ahu's new city. It is conceivable that our Cabinet will meet periodically throughout the county. City leaders should see firsthand how communities are evolving and the problems they are facing, so that our decisions are based on real experience and insight, not studies and reports.

Fiscal integrity

The first weeks in office will be spent shedding light on a budget that has been kept in the dark far too long. Ongoing conflicts between the mayor and City Council on budget priorities are exacerbated by a lack of candor and openness.

The council and the public should know how and where tax money is being spent, where it comes from and where it is kept, so that informed decisions can be made.

At the same time, we must eliminate wasteful spending; pursue new sources of revenue such as federal money available to the cities; and stimulate more economic activity and private-sector job growth to boost our tax take.

Operational audits

We need a fiscal fitness examination of city government launched immediately to determine who's doing what and how much it's costing.

An operational audit differs from the traditional financial and management audit in that it looks beyond compliance with statutory mandates to the cost and necessity of providing a service, now and well into the future.

We will invite the accounting and management-consulting community, council members and city employees, business and community representatives to take a hard look at city government and determine what will be needed to sustain us over the next 10 to 20 years.

Determining priorities

Our approach to government will focus on need-to-have, vs. nice-to-have, projects.

The operational audit will give us the tools to assess our priorities and adopt a back-to-basics policy on essential services and construction projects. Debt service must never eclipse public safety in the city's budget.

You can expect that we will unveil a plan of action emphasizing public safety, road resurfacing (not just filling potholes), improving our aging sewage system, maintaining the parks and recreation system, and handling solid waste and recycling. 

Additionally, the city permitting system will be improved immediately, and associated problems accompanying the rushed Bus Rapid Transit build-out will be corrected.

Council relations

I will always ask the City Council to review and assess priorities and will work with them to secure the necessary funding.

Our system of government is one of checks and balances, and I've always believed that debates can be open and honest, with decisions made on a timely basis.

Working with the state

Relations between the counties and state can be enhanced, and I intend to make a stronger effort to work with fellow counties, the Legislature and state administration on key issues. 

Among such issues are clearing up overlapping jurisdictional responsibilities for parks and roads, streamlining permitting, and using my bipartisan experience to identify federal grants to develop partnerships with the state to bolster our economic, transportation and education initiatives.

This election is about leadership and ideas — the real leadership and ideas to move our city, our home, forward so we can take our place among the finest places to live, work and raise our families.

Mufi Hannemann is a candidate for mayor of Honolulu. His Web site is at www.votemufi.com.