Posted on: Thursday, January 6, 2005

EDITORIAL
Hannemann optimism must become a reality

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's public swearing-in yesterday was rich with optimism.

If that attitude can be carried forward over the next several years, his term as mayor has a bright chance for success.

The trick, of course, will be to apply those good thoughts and intentions to the difficult, sometimes dreary and often contentious business of running a major American city.

Hannemann promised a "fresh approach to running government." How that fresh approach will work in practice remains to be seen.

One aspect, he promised, is a change in the culture at City Hall, one that would seek cooperation rather than controversy, conflict and blame.

That same approach, he suggested, would be applied to his relationships with what he called his "co-leaders" in government, including the governor, the Legislature, Neighbor Island mayors, the congressional delegation and others.

Finally, Hannemann rather directly appealed to all of Honolulu's citizens to take pride in themselves and their city. Echoing the famous warning of the late Gov. John A. Burns that some Hawai'i residents tend to succumb to a "subtle inferiority of spirit," Hannemann insisted that the residents of the City and County of Honolulu "can do anything."

He's right, of course. Now, the test of his leadership will be to see that this optimistic thought becomes reality.