WAILUKU - Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann espoused his experience as "the manager" of 10,000 employees and three-quarters of Hawaii's population to distance himself Tuesday from his competition in the Democratic primary contest for governor.
Hannemann stopped by The Maui News to explain his 10-point "Economic Action Plan" as well as his strategies to reform public education and address recent combative comments from his main opponent for the party's nomination, former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
"We all say we have a plan for the economy, but I'm the only candidate with specifics," said Hannemann, who said he was mayor of the nation's 12th largest city and a "champion" for the people.
He said he's for "the three E's" in Hawaii: the economy, education and environment.
He stepped down as mayor for his gubernatorial bid, but only after he'd successfully launched the largest public project in state history, the $5.5 billion commuter rail system on Oahu.
Hannemann said he took exception to Abercrombie's "patently false" claims that Neighbor Island residents would have to help pay for the rail project. He said he built $1.3 billion into the plan to pay for the rail's day-to-day operations, and that the Legislature passed a law putting the onus on Honolulu city and county residents.
Abercrombie is known as an unabashed liberal who's garnered environmental and gay rights support, while Hannemann is a moderate with more labor endorsements and a phalanx of dedicated supporters, whom some accuse of being too zealous. He and Abercrombie have had a number of recent dust-ups over Hannemann campaign ads, which Abercrombie says are negative.
This week, a Hannemann mailer lists some of the two candidates' differences. It also accuses Abercrombie - again - of having one of the worst voting records for the 111th Congress, even before the 19-year representative stepped down, forcing a special election.
On Tuesday, Hannemann also pointed out that a special election to fill Abercrombie's seat cost taxpayers more than $670,000.
Hannemann was unapologetic, saying his ads have facts meant to educate the public about the great disparity in the candidates' qualifications. He laughed off a section of the flier that listed "Won First Place, Lahaina Whaling Days Beard Contest" under Abercrombie's "Recognition."
The two men do have some similarities, though, in their campaigns. For instance, both veteran lawmakers said they'd put education first and start with placing the Department of Education superintendent in their cabinets (Hannemann would make the University of Hawaii president a cabinet member, too.); and both support bringing back the Hawaii Superferry.
Three Maui-based environmental groups successfully sued to kill off the Superferry after Gov. Linda Lingle's administration bypassed the environmental impact statement process.
Hannemann said he'd start the process from scratch to resolve Lingle's "mistakes" by hosting public meetings on the Superferry plan across the state, and he'd start a new environmental impact statement to make sure the slate is clean.
"If we're going to do this again, we have to do it right," Hannemann said.
He said he'd favor a public-private partnership that likely involves using the currently bankrupt company's two giant high-speed catamarans to transport military personnel on leave between islands.
"It would free up a lot of lines at the airport," he said.
But Superferry's true benefit was economic. Before service ceased about two years ago, a lot of Maui farmers, fishermen, contractors and other small-business owners used the ferry to get their goods to the lucrative Oahu markets.
Fixing Hawaii's ailing education system is "easier said than done," said Hannemann, a Harvard graduate who was born and raised in Honolulu. He said his wife, Gail, who is chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Hawaii, has helped him push for more arts education. And the former basketball coach said he wants to see at least 15 minutes a day of organized physical education for children in kindergarten through 6th grade.
When asked how he would have dealt with negotiations that led to teachers taking Furlough Fridays last school year to deal with the state budget mess, Hannemann said it never would have happened with him at the helm. He said he would stop the administration's practice of "raiding one fund from another." The gaps remain no matter how much the money is shuffled around, Hannemann said.
The state finally halted lost school days this summer primarily by using $57.2 million from the hurricane relief fund.
"When money is dedicated to education, in my administration it will stay there," Hannemann said.
And he said his conservative approach to finances has been rewarded with top Wall Street bond ratings.
With Hawaii native Barack Obama in the White House, and Sen. Daniel Inouye as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, this is also the time to stop giving lip service to renewable energy and grab every federal dollar available to build solar, wind, biofuel and geothermal solutions to Hawaii's 90 percent reliance on imported fossil fuels, Hannemann said. He said a priority would be to create a "smart energy grid" that can handle the electrical fluctuations associated with renewable energy sources.
"We need a total commitment to green energy on all levels," he said.
Hannemann said he understands how closely counties and the state are intertwined, but he is baffled by their lack of communication and the disparity between the islands based on population. Every county mayor would be regularly consulted in a Hannemann administration, he said. He also said he plans to consistently bring business to the table.
Finally, when asked about building a new highway or rail line to West Maui to relieve Honoapiilani Highway shutdowns because of wildfires, he said he'd bring ideas directly to residents for debate.
The primary election is Sept. 18. The Democratic winner will likely face Republican Lt. James "Duke" Aiona in the Nov. 2 general election.
* Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton@mauinews.com.
