Both candidates favor rail

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu's mayoral candidates traded many jabs and a few compliments last night in the final debate before the general election on Tuesday, but both kept their guard up.

Duke Bainum, left, and Mufi Hannemann agreed in last night's debate that O'ahu needs a rail-transit system, and pledged to halt reconstruction planned for the crumbling Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Both agreed that O'ahu needs a rail-transit system to alleviate traffic congestion, and both pledged to halt emergency repairs and reconstruction planned for the crumbling Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.

But neither provided many details about how much a rail system would cost, or how it would be paid for. Both are Democrats, but neither would reveal who they are voting for in the presidential election.

Such caution illustrates the push each is making to attract support from voters who are motivated by the presidential race but may remain undecided on the mayoral contest.

Bainum led Hannemann by nearly 6,000 votes in the Sept. 18 primary election, but voter registration has surged since then. Experts predict a much larger turnout next week — especially among independent and Republican voters — and neither candidate wants to offend potential supporters of any stripe.

"It serves no purpose to talk about individuals," Bainum said. "You have to look at the qualities that they represent, and I find qualities on both sides of Mr. Bush and Mr. Kerry that are worthwhile."

Hannemann said it would not make sense to wade into the presidential race while running for mayor.

"I think Mr. Bainum and I are both being politically akamai tonight," Hannemann said. "We're in a nonpartisan race. It makes, I feel, very little positive impact for us to reveal who we're going to vote for for president."

Hannemann said the city must move quickly to build a rail system in cooperation with the state and federal governments and private developers.

"I am already beginning to work with the state," he said. "I've said it's very critical that we get on the same page, and we start identifying a financing plan, a lobbying plan to make sure that Washington will realize once and for all that Honolulu is committed to a light rail program."

Estimates that such a plan would take eight to 12 years are too pessimistic, and there may be a way to link the project with federal defense spending and plans for basing an aircraft carrier here, he said.

Bainum said building an elevated monorail system would be faster but more expensive, and would require money from a variety of sources. The project could take five to eight years in a private-sector partnership with state and federal assistance, and could cost more than $100 million per mile, he said.

"I believe an elevated system is the answer," Bainum said. "The cost is twice as high as at grade, but it does allow you to have a time savings."

Bainum criticized Hannemann for a radio ad aired early in the campaign that attacked a farm tax bill Bainum wrote while on the City Council. Bainum said the ad had been misleading, and was the race's first example of negative campaigning.

Hannemann blasted Bainum for circulating brochures that highlight illegal campaign donations Hannemann received earlier, and said the material wrongly implied that he had knowingly accepted the tainted money.

Hannemann chastised Bainum for campaigning on an "honest change" platform while seeking help from former Gov. Ben Cayetano, who also received many illegal donations.

"I find it very amusing that Mr. Bainum is trying to have it both ways," Hannemann said. "Somehow he can tolerate illegal campaign contributions given to his supporters, yet he makes a public issue out of it with me."

Bainum stressed that many people support him, and said he would not bend his standards for political convenience.

"The cornerstone of our campaign is our commitment to honest change, and nothing will interfere with that," he said. "Mr. Cayetano is supporting me, along with dozens and dozens of leaders."

Neither Hannemann nor Cayetano have been accused of wrongdoing, but supporters who gave illegal donations to each have been fined by the state Campaign Spending Commission.

Bainum and Hannemann both said the Natatorium's decorative arch should be preserved to honor veterans, but pledged to halt emergency repairs to the pool and deck portion that are expected to cost more than $6 million.

The two have agreed on many issues throughout the campaign, but both have tip-toed around a politically volatile one they are directly opposed on: condominium leasehold conversion. Neither brought it up last night.

Bainum supports retaining a law that lets the city force landowners to sell to qualified condominium owners the fee interest in the land under their units. Hannemann is backing a push to repeal the law, which is popular with many condo owners but opposed by some landowners and Native Hawaiian groups.

The debate was sponsored by KITV 4 News and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. When the candidates were asked what they liked about each other, Bainum said he believed his opponent was fun-loving and smart, and said he admired his singing voice. Hannemann said he believed Bainum was sincere in his effort to serve the city, and that he hoped Bainum would join him for a karaoke session some day.

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

The candidates together have spent more than $5.2 million on the race so far, making it Honolulu's most expensive mayoral contest ever.

Hannemann has raised more money from contributors, but Bainum has made major loans to his campaign that have allowed it to spend nearly twice as much as Hannemann's.

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