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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, October 24, 2004

Bainum, Hannemann near finish line in race for mayor

 •  Where they stand
 •  Candidates at a glance

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu mayoral candidates Duke Bainum and Mufi Hannemann will face off in the Nov. 2 general election, after drawing more votes than eight others who were eliminated in the Sept. 18 primary.

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Mufi Hannemann (above, with wife Gail) and Duke Bainum (below) celebrated on primary election night upon advancing to the Nov. 2 mayoral runoff. Bainum got 46 percent of the vote to Hannemann's 43 percent.

Greg Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Bainum led Hannemann in the primary by nearly 6,000 votes, but did not win more than 50 percent of the total vote, which would have given him a clear victory without a runoff.

The candidates together have spent more than $4.7 million on the race so far, making it the city's most expensive mayoral contest ever. Bainum has spent more than twice as much as Hannemann. Bainum has lent his campaign nearly $2 million, while Hannemann has lent his camp $90,000.

Bainum, 52, is a physician who's originally from Arkansas. He is campaigning on an "honest change" platform and promises to rid City Hall of undue influence he believes special interests have on city contracting and other decision-making.

Hannemann, 50, was born and raised in Honolulu. He says he is a more qualified leader because of his experience running the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism during the administration of Gov. John Waihee, and other experience in Washington, D.C.

Both candidates have served on the City Council. Hannemann was chairman of the council, while Bainum chaired its budget committee.

Bainum represented the council district that stretches from Waikiki to Wai'alae Nui, and previously represented the Waikiki area during two terms in the state House that ended in 1994.

Hannemann represented the council district that extends from Halawa to Pearl City. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2000, and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1986 and 1990.

Both candidates say they will improve city maintenance of roads and sewers, and pledge to seek a rail transit system to alleviate traffic congestion.

Many analysts believe the mayoral race is now close enough to tilt in either direction, depending on voter turnout.

Turnout is expected to increase substantially for the general election because it includes the presidential race. Each mayoral candidate insists that means more votes will go to him.

More than 17,000 voters backed Frank Fasi in the primary, and their votes for Bainum or Hannemann in the general election are also expected to help decide the race. Fasi, who was Honolulu mayor for 22 years, has endorsed Hannemann.

The presidential race also is expected to increase turnout among Republican and non-aligned voters. The mayoral race is officially nonpartisan, and both candidates are Democrats, but both are working to attract Republican and independent votes.

Much of the vote in the primary election split along income, geographic and ethnic lines, according to an Advertiser review of election results and demographic data.

East O'ahu neighborhoods with the highest income levels strongly favored Bainum, while those on the Leeward Coast and with the lowest incomes backed Hannemann, the data indicate. Middle-class voters, including those in several neighborhoods around the island's center, split between the two.

Votes along ethnic lines were less distinct, especially in areas with diverse populations. But Bainum carried several areas with the highest proportion of Japanese and Caucasian voters, while Hannemann carried those with the highest ratio of Native Hawaiians. Support was more mixed among neighborhoods with the most Filipino residents.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.

• • •

Traffic: Where they stand

Duke Bainum

An early supporter of the city's plan for a Bus Rapid Transit system of special buses and dedicated lanes, but says he does not agree with the way it's being implemented and does not believe the project will be completed. Says an elevated monorail system is a better option.

Does not support state proposal to build a "flyover" elevated viaduct over Nimitz Highway because of visual blight. Says better road maintenance will be a priority.

Mufi Hannemann

Does not support city plans for a Bus Rapid Transit system of special buses with dedicated lanes. Says light rail system is a better option, but that a ferry system linked to buses should be considered in cooperation with the state.

Supports state proposal to build a "flyover" elevated viaduct over Nimitz Highway but has concerns about visual impact. Says a new east-west road is needed in the 'Ewa area, linked with a bridge or ferries to cross Pearl Harbor.



Leasehold: Where they stand

Duke Bainum

Supports a 1991 law known as Chapter 38 that allows the city to force landowners to sell qualified condominium owners the fee interest in the land under their units. Voted in favor of individual conversions while on the City Council.

Mufi Hannemann

Supports efforts to repeal Chapter 38. Voted in favor of conversions while on the council, but supported a failed effort to weaken the law. Supports landowner rights but voted to approve conversions because courts had upheld the law.



Landfill: Where they stand

Duke Bainum

Supports efforts to expand recycling and minimize solid waste through technology upgrades and innovations.

Does not support a new landfill anywhere on O'ahu. In particular, has said he will not allow a new landfill anywhere along the Wai'anae Coast or at a quarry near Kailua.

Says city should consider shipping garbage to a Mainland dump site.

Mufi Hannemann

Supports efforts to expand recycling and minimize solid waste through technology upgrades and innovations, but says a landfill also will be needed on O'ahu in the immediate future.

Has no preferred site for a new landfill, but says surrounding area should be compensated by the city with a package of community benefits.



Sewer fees: Where they stand

Duke Bainum

Says there's no question sewer fees will have to increase next year, to pay for years' worth of repairs and upgrades that must be completed as soon as possible.

Says a fee increase has been avoided for too long as politically unpopular, but the city must have the money to keep sewers and equipment functioning and safe.

Mufi Hannemann

Says he would propose fee increase as a last resort if thorough examination of city finances shows there is no other responsible way to pay for repair and upgrade work that must be done.

Says he will eliminate the practice of taking money from the city's sewer fund to pay for other services. Says repairs must be a top priority to protect environment and tourism.Focus on basic services and public safety; control city spending.

• • •

Duke Bainum

Born: July 21, 1952 in Takoma Park, Md. In Hawai'i since 1980.

Job: Physician.

Lives: Waikiki.

Experience: City Council 1994-2002. State House 1990-94. Chairman, Diamond State Bank 2000-2003. Chair, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Org. Affordable Housing Alliance.

Contact: duke@dukebainum.com; 951-5111; www.dukebainum.com

Why are you running for office?

To bring honest change and ethical conduct to city government, and focus on basic services such as transportation, sewers, crime and drugs, and potholes.

Would you support a tax increase to fund a rail transit system?

We'll pursue funding rail transit through transit-oriented development rights rather than a tax increase.

If forced to choose, would you increase property taxes or reduce city services?

It's better to streamline gov't while maintaining focus on improving basic services.

What is the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu; what would you do?

Traffic congestion degrades our quality of life. I will focus on long-term transportation solutions and repaving our roadways.

What's the No. 1 initiative you'd pursue in 2005?

Improving basic city services for transportation, sewer and road maintenance.



Mufi Hannemann

Born: July 16, 1954 in Honolulu.

Job: Self-employed business consultant.

Lives: 'Aiea.

Experience: City Council 1994-2000. Director, Dept. of Business, Economic Development & Tourism 1992-94. VP, C. Brewer 1984-91. White House Fellow.

Contact: 597-1488; mufih@lava.net; www.votemufi.com

Why are you running for office?

Restore fiscal accountability and trust; focus on basic city services and public safety; revitalize and diversify the economy; improve transportation system; support public education.

Would you support a tax increase to fund a rail transit system?

Raising taxes is the last option for any city initiative. Federal financing is the first step.

If forced to choose, would you increase property taxes or reduce city services?

Reduction in services, provided public safety and health are not jeopardized.

What is the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu; what would you do?

Traffic. Schedule road maintenance; state cooperation on ferry service and light rail; adjust business hours; interagency team authorizing roadwork; job growth in Kapolei.

What's the No. 1 initiative you'd pursue in 2005?

Focus on basic services and public safety; control city spending.