Posted on: Sunday, November 14, 2004
Hannemann names transition team
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer
Honolulu Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann announced yesterday that former city managing director D.G. "Andy" Anderson and Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i chairwoman Christine Camp Friedman will head the transition team that will oversee the selection process for his administration's Cabinet.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser Asked when he began thinking about the selection process, Hannemann said the reality of it had nearly caught him off guard.
"I didn't start thinking about this until about 4 o'clock on the morning of Nov. 3," he quipped, referring to the mayor's race, which was too close to call until the morning after the election. "Then I realized, 'Oh my goodness, I've got to form a government.' "
The mayor-elect said those interested in serving in his Cabinet should mail applications to him no later than Nov. 26. He said he's seeking creative, energetic individuals who have the people's interests at heart and who are uncompromising in their ethical conduct.
Committees will be chaired by local business and union leaders, Joseph Pickard, Liz Ho and Marc Tilker, who were present at the press conference, and Paul Yonamine and Meredith Ching, who were unable to attend.
Committee chairs will submit recommendations to Anderson and Camp Friedman, who in turn will pass recommendations along to Hannemann.
"As mayor-elect, I will make the final decision," he said.
Hannemann said he had confidence in the ability and experience of his committee chairs and of Anderson and Camp Friedman to head up his transition team. Anderson also headed former Mayor Frank Fasi's transition team, he said.
Hannemann said his top priorities as mayor would be finding solutions for the city's traffic problems and making Honolulu's budget fiscally accountable.
He said there's a sense in the community that there needs to be better budget management.
As a city councilman he said he had a different financial approach than Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, who has spent money on popular projects that weren't considered necessary by some.
"You should always ask three questions on everything that's being spent," he said. "Do you need it? Can you afford it? And, can you maintain it? So, in my administration, I think we're going to be a little more careful in terms of how we spend taxpayer dollars."
He also said he expects to have a good working relationship with Gov. Linda Lingle, as opposed to the rancor that's existed between mayors and governors in the past.
"I think this is the first time we've had a mayor in years who's not automatically setting his sights on Washington Place as soon as he gets sworn in," he said. "And that's created some tension. Right now, I just want to do a good job right here at Honolulu Hale." Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Hannemann made the announcement at a press conference at his transition office on the second floor of the City Hall Annex building at 550 South King Street. He thanked Mayor Jeremy Harris for offering him the use of the building throughout the switchover period.
Honolulu Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann has set up a temporary office at the City Hall Annex. Yesterday, Hannemann named the leaders of his mayoral transition team, which will be headed by developer D.G. "Andy" Anderson and Christine Camp Friedman, the managing director of Avalon Development Co. and chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i.
Hannemann said five search committees would be formed to screen applications, interview finalists and recommend up to three names to head each of 17 administration department slots. Each panel will be assigned three to four departments to consider.
D.G. Anderson
Christine Friedman
Liz Ho
Joseph Pickard
Marc Tilker
