Mufi Hannemann celebrated with his supporters last night. "Enjoy the moment," he told them. "It looks good. I hope it continues to hold." Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Duke Bainum conceded last night and didn't withdraw his concession when officials announced thousands of votes remained uncounted. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hannemann supporters reacted last night to the results from the second printout at the Dole Cannery. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Honolulu mayoral candidate Duke Bainum hugs a supporter after he took to the stage at his election night headquarters at the Ilikai Pacific Ballroom to thank his supporters and rally the troops. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hannemann's victory was a stunning upset in a race that became a cliffhanger after an early count last night showed the two virtually tied.

Hannemann took the lead shortly after 11 p.m., and the news electrified hundreds of supporters who erupted in cheers at a gathering near his campaign headquarters at Dole Cannery.

Bainum conceded the race shortly after, but then it took an even more surprising twist when elections officials announced that thousands of late absentee votes remained to be counted.

Even so, Bainum said he did not expect to pull ahead.

Bainum supporters who packed a ballroom at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel were shocked and grew quiet when the main count was released, many shaking their heads in disbelief.

Bainum thanked the crowd and congratulated Hannemann, but said he was disappointed in tactics some Hannemann supporters used.

"Clearly there was a lot of negativity and there's a lot of momentum unfortunately that evaporates in the face of such untruths," Bainum said. "That's unfortunate, but it was a hard-fought campaign. We're proud of the way we took the high road. We maintained the high road and we look forward to contributing to Honolulu in various other ways."

Hannemann was wrapping up his victory speech when he was informed that over 4,000 ballots had yet to be counted.

Hannemann said later that he remained confident he would be officially declared the winner.

"I want to have the opportunity to say we're going to be the next mayor of Honolulu," he told supporters. "But we've got to wait for the state Capitol to make it official. We've just got to be a little bit patient."

Hannemann led the group in singing Hawai'i Aloha, then joined in a prayer.

Hannemann supporter Rick Bernstein said he was flabbergasted when it was announced that thousands of votes remained to be counted.

"My adrenaline is shot," he said.

City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, a Hannemann supporter, said she was very disappointed about that turn of events.

"It's just not fair," she said of the lingering count.

Bainum supporters were also disturbed by the unusual delay, but many said they were even more upset at allegations concerning Bainum's wife, Jennifer, that were made on an Internet site and widely spread via e-mail lists. The Internet report attacked her role in an inheritance dispute.

"I think that smear campaigns, as unfair as they are, and as not truthful as they are, still have an effect," said Gerald Yuh, business manager for Local 186 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Virgil Vergara, another Bainum supporter, said he believed the allegations had an impact.

"People feed on negativity," he said.

Susan Niemi of Kailua looks over a general election ballot while waiting for her turn in a voting booth at Kailua Intermediate School. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Dorothy Kauihou, 78, from Kalihi, is assisted to a voting booth at Farrington High School. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Councilman Gary Okino, who backed Bainum, said he was disgusted at the way the information was disseminated.

"It's totally unfair that something like that would determine the outcome of such an important race," he said.

Hannemann supporter Tenari Maafala attributed Hannemann's apparent victory to the increase in voter turnout.

Supporters may have taken Hannemann for granted in the primary, but treated the general election much more seriously, said Maafala, president of the State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers.

An early count that showed the candidates neck and neck came as the evening's first surprise.

The count included more than half of O'ahu precincts, and showed Bainum leading by a very slim margin after 9 p.m. Bainum had led Hannemann in the primary election by nearly 6,000 votes, and polls published later showed him retaining a lead.

The tense ending capped a lengthy race that became the most expensive in Honolulu history but had been far from the most exciting.

The candidates spent a total of $5.2 million on campaigns that dwelled largely on promises to improve basic city services, such as fixing potholes.

Hannemann stressed his government experience and local roots, while Bainum vowed to be an independent mayor who would end corruption and favoritism. But they professed similar positions on most key city concerns, and attacked each other over side issues.

Hannemann was more well-known going into the race, but Bainum launched an early and aggressive advertising campaign that significantly raised his profile.

Bainum also spent nearly twice as much as Hannemann, including more than $2.2 million from Bainum's own pocket.

"We went up against an incredible money machine," Hannemann said. "The only way we could overcome it was with hard work and sweat."

Bainum, 52, is a physician who's originally from Arkansas. Hannemann, 50, is a Harvard graduate who was born and raised in Honolulu. Hannemann has served as Honolulu City Council chairman, while Bainum has chaired its budget committee.

In the push to appeal to the widest possible base of support, both candidates played it safe on potentially divisive issues.

Both are Democrats, but neither would reveal whom he supported in the presidential race. The mayor's race is nonpartisan.