"The change will begin in the mayor's office, and will be encouraged throughout city government," he said in his inaugural address. "Too often in the past, discussions here have been marred by controversy, conflict and blame.

"That must stop, and we need to stop it now. I want to be open about our problems, I want everyone to feel welcome to offer their ideas, and we need to work side by side as a team."

The event was filled with splendor and song that delighted the audience, starting with performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, a welcome call blown from conch shells, Hawaiian chants, and a procession of malo-clad kahili bearers.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, his wife, Gail, and others on stage sing "Hawai'i Aloha." Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona, right, sang along with the audience. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It was the best local political event I have ever seen," said Kahalu'u resident D. Keala Naluai. "It had the local, aloha style and it was wonderful. The mayor brought down the house."

Kaimuki resident Nancy Yamanaka smiled broadly throughout the ceremony, and eagerly held hands with strangers as the crowd sang "Hawai'i Aloha" at the end.

"I liked everything," she said. "He gave a wonderful speech."

Well after the formal ceremony was over, well-wishers were still lining up to give Honolulu's new mayor a kiss and a lei. These people waited 45 minutes to offer Hannemann their congratulations. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It was the best inauguration I've seen, and I've been to many," Waihee said, adding that Hannemann sang much better than he did.

Hundreds of supporters later gathered with Hannemann at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki for an inaugural gala.

In his speech, Hannemann pledged to work cooperatively with the City Council, and to keep any disagreements respectful. He also vowed to end jurisdictional rivalries that he said have blocked too many important initiatives that should benefit everyone.

Hannemann hugged his wife, Gail, after taking the oath of office Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hannemann did not announce any specific new plans, but said he would pay close attention to basic city services such as road and sewer repairs, park maintenance and public safety.

Such issues were a core focus of his election campaign, and he said residents have made their priorities clear.

"I have heard, I have heard those cries, I have heard those pleas, and we're prepared to work on them," he said. "These myriad humble tasks add up to a higher goal of taking care of our O'ahu. By doing this work well, we can meet the challenges of our times, raise our quality of life, and lift the spirits of all who call Hawai'i home."

Hannemann spoke of instilling a New York-style pride in Honolulu. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Hannemann is Honolulu's first Hawai'i-born mayor since Neal Blaisdell left office in 1968, and he is the city's first mayor of Samoan ancestry.

He made it a point to acknowledge the accomplishments of Blaisdell and others who have held the position, including Johnny Wilson, Frank Fasi and Jeremy Harris. But Hannemann said the city must also be ready for change.

"It means taking the best of the past, and keeping it and maintaining it and even enhancing it, but at the same time, changing those aspects that need positive action now," he said in his speech.

It's extremely important for Hawai'i's people to believe in themselves and their home, Hannemann said.

He recalled that former Gov. John Burns had said years ago that, "Many of us suffer from a subtle inferiority of spirit."

"These words have touched me through the years, and certainly given me a motivation to pursue a vision," Hannemann said. "You see, the problem is too many people in our community are content to accept that point of view. I view this as a challenge. We can do anything."

He said he and his supporters boosted their spirits during the campaign by reciting a simple phrase: "No scared 'em; go get 'em!"

Hannemann said he hoped to run Honolulu similar to the way former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani ran New York City.

"Here was a mayor that made sure the subways ran on time, cleaned up Times Square and ensured public safety," Hannemann said. "Yet the other part of that job is, everywhere he went there was a passion and love for New York City. It was embedded on his chest, it was on his hat that he wore, New York Yankees, and he made sure that people felt that if you wanted the best, you got it from New York. Well my friends, I'm prepared to do the same."

Dozens of well-wishers gathered around Hannemann after his speech to shake hands, embrace and present him with lei.

June Walker, a part-time Honolulu resident who lives half the year in her native Canada, said she enjoyed the event.

"One thing I notice about Hawai'i that we don't have at home is that you're much more accessible to officials," she said. "At home you usually just see them on TV, but I think they're really in touch with people here."

City Council chairman Donovan Dela Cruz said he is very optimistic about Hannemann.

"He's brought a new energy to Honolulu Hale, and we look forward to working with him," he said. "We may not agree all the time, but we can agree to disagree, and then move forward."