Bill Brennan, press secretary for Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his administration, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. yesterday on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to police records.

Hannemann's office issued a statement yesterday saying Brennan had informed the mayor of his arrest.

"While this incident was in no way connected with Brennan's city work, Mayor Hannemann takes all issues of public safety very seriously and believes public servants must be held to high standards," the statement read.

"Brennan has taken a leave of absence and Mayor Hannemann will evaluate potential disciplinary action while the case is pending," the statement said.

Brennan, 55, was arrested at the corner of Hunakai Street and Wai'alae Avenue, just a few blocks from his home on 'Aukai Avenue in Kahala, police records showed.

He had a blood alcohol content above .10 police said. The legal limit in Hawai'i is .08

Brennan posted $500 bail shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday.

Brennan became a spokesman for the Hannemann administration shortly after Hannemann was elected to his first mayoral term in 2004.

He could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Before joining the administration, Brennan worked as spokesman for the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and as a city hall reporter, anchor and executive producer at KHON-TV.