The race for Honolulu Mayor is shaping up to be an exciting contest! Incumbent Mufi Hannemann has nearly $2 million in his campaign warchest. But on the last day to file, veteran politician and current city councilwoman Ann Kobayashi threw her hat in the race. A significant voice in Stop Rail Now poster boy UH Professor Panos Prevedouros should liven the debate. And the usual vocal “independents” Jim Brewer (Green Party) and Daniel Cunningham (Nuclear power advocate) are also in the mix. Who will win this contest, who is the best candidate and what are the main issues that will resonate with voters?
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Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
You think that Ann Kobayashi will make this year's Mayoral election exciting?
It's not even going to be close. In fact, I would be very surprised if the Mufster doesn't coast to an outright victory in the primary election. If Mufi's challengers can extend him to a general election battle, then something would be seriously wrong with his campaign. He would have to think twice about trying to run for governor in 2010 if that were to happen.This post may contain an opinion that may conflict with your opinion. Do not take it personal. Polite discussion of difference of opinion is welcome.
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Great. That means at least two more years of that embarrassing singing.But I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I GOT IT ALL! (George Costanza)
GrouchyTeacher.com
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Originally posted by Frankie's Market View PostYou think that Ann Kobayashi will make this year's Mayoral election exciting?
Originally posted by Frankie's Market View PostIt's not even going to be close. In fact, I would be very surprised if the Mufster doesn't coast to an outright victory in the primary election.
Originally posted by Frankie's Market View PostIf Mufi's challengers can extend him to a general election battle, then something would be seriously wrong with his campaign. He would have to think twice about trying to run for governor in 2010 if that were to happen.
Mufi will have to spend all of his money reminding the public of how much he has streamlined city government and refocused its priorities. I don’t think going all the way to the general election will significantly affect a run for Governor. I’ll concede that it might affect a run for Congress if Lingle also runs.
By the way, I noticed you deleted the part you wrote about Dan Boylan in your final comment. As far as I know, Boylan has been wrong in his past few political predictions. Neal Milner seems to be the resident expert these days.
We can’t be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans.
— U.S. President Bill Clinton
USA TODAY, page 2A
11 March 1993
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Panos is a one-trick pony. The only issue on his platform is "stop the train". And if the majority of voters don't want to stop the train, well that pretty much derails his campaign.
He might make an issue out of the crumbling infrastructure. Blame the sewer system problems on Mufi's administration. But those problems are the legacy of Jeremy Harris. Most people should be able to see that.
And if they try to make an issue out of secondary sewage treatment, the top marine biologists in the state have already testified to the EPA that secondary treatment is pointless. There's no evidence of harm being done to the local marine ecosystem from the lack of secondary treatment.
And as for political experience, Panos is a babe in the woods. I wouldn't want someone like THAT in charge of this city!
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Originally posted by Composite 2992 View PostAnd as for political experience, Panos is a babe in the woods. I wouldn't want someone like THAT in charge of this city!
I do think Ann Kobayashi can at least make this interesting. I have a suspicion that she's running only so that it's not a cakewalk for the mayor, although since she's a member of the same party, I guess I sorta think a cakewalk for the mayor would put him in a strong position in two years.
16% is too much, TuNnL. There may be a lot of signatures on that petition, but that doesn't mean people want this guy to be the mayor of our city. Unless things get ugly here in the next few weeks, the mayor will win the election on primary election night with just over fifty percent of the vote. I predict something in the neighborhood of 53% to 55%.But I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I GOT IT ALL! (George Costanza)
GrouchyTeacher.com
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Originally posted by scrivener View PostI do think Ann Kobayashi can at least make this interesting. I have a suspicion that she's running only so that it's not a cakewalk for the mayor, although since she's a member of the same party, I guess I sorta think a cakewalk for the mayor would put him in a strong position in two years.
Originally posted by scrivener View Post16% is too much, TuNnL. There may be a lot of signatures on that petition, but that doesn't mean people want this guy to be the mayor of our city.
Worth noting however, is Malia Zimmerman’s play-by-play of yesterday’s filing frenzy. Apparently, Duke Bainum and Kirk Caldwell will “duke it out” for Kobayashi’s now vacant seat. Caldwell’s last-minute filing was so hasty, he may have left his own House seat without a Democratic contender!
Caldwell’s last minute filing for council left his House seat vacant as he was running unopposed and that set off another chain reaction.
Mayor Hannemann’s administrative assistant Chrystn Eades, who previously worked for Senator Daniel Inouye in Washington DC, raced to file her nomination papers for Caldwell’s Mānoa House seat at the encouragement of her boss. She needed 15 valid signatures from people living in her district to qualify. Eades tried to pick up her papers at 3:50 p.m. and take them around for people to sign, but the elections office staff was backed up and did not actually give her the nomination papers until 4:30 p.m.
We can’t be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans.
— U.S. President Bill Clinton
USA TODAY, page 2A
11 March 1993
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Originally posted by scrivener View PostGreat. That means at least two more years of that embarrassing singing.
I don't think Ann Kobayashi has a chance in hell to beat the Muffmeister. I'm sure she figures this is her only chance to ever have a run at mayorship. She's 71 years old already. If she fails, which she probably knows is a more realistic outcome, she'll retire. She's already at that stage in her career. Even if she does win by some odd streak of fate, she'll most likely be a one-term mayor. It's just hard to keep up with that kind of pressure and schedule at 76 years old.
Other than the rail fiasco, I think Muff has been a pretty good mayor. Better than I thought. I don't see any major weakness, except in his F sharp
I thought Panos would be an interesting candidate, but after hearing his solution to traffic with toll roads, he lost me. That's out of touch with Hawaii, man! Charging me to drive on a freeway? That's Bulls*#@! That won't stop people from driving. Parents like myself drive out of necessity. Plus, the bus system is inadequate and won't take me to work within a 90- minute time frame. Toll roads will be just another government scheme to take $ from taxpayers, as if it doesn't cost enough to live here...
Charles Djou better watch it too. He's losing my support real fast because he's proposing toll roads too.
It's amazing how fast one can change his/her mind about candidates and politicians.
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Originally posted by Bobinator View PostHA! But at least he smiles when he sings.
...
I don't see any major weakness, except in his F sharp
PS - toll roads? BOOOOOO!!!~ This is the strangest life I've ever known ~
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We can’t be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans.
— U.S. President Bill Clinton
USA TODAY, page 2A
11 March 1993
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
I've seen Mufi as an "opening act" of sorts at one of the Honolulu Pops concerts too, never knew he had an interest in singing until he became mayor.
Don't forget it runs in his blood, brother Nephi Hannemann was a top headliner in Waikiki years ago.
Aj
Fox News had this from two years ago:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,231223,00.html
He's No Don Ho, But ...
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has scored a gig on a Christmas album.
The mayor, who is known to occasionally take the mike at events, sings two songs on the Royal Hawaiian Band's first Christmas recording in its 170-year history as a municipal band.
Hannemann joins local entertainers Iva Kinimaka and Nephi Hannemann, the mayor's brother, in an original composition called "Christmas Time Again, Aloha."
In addition, Hannemann sings along with the group Pali in "Do You Hear What I Hear."
The album, "Christmas with the Royal Hawaiian Band and Friends," goes on sale Tuesday.
Proceeds from the 16-track recording will go to the Royal Hawaiian Band Music Society, a nonprofit organization that supports the municipal band.
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Mayor Kobayashi? Well remember Mayor Bernard Akana on the Big Island (he of the "Don't Worry Be Happy" theme)? Anything is possible so you never know. The wild card is if the Stop Rail guys manage to get the issue on the November ballot. If that is the case the Mayor will go all out to win an outright win in the primary. I would suggest that a lot of persons who are anti-rail are also anti-Mufi. I have not seen any polling but lets assume that our island is evenly split between rain and no rail. Mayor does not want to go to a runoff in November if he does not get 50% + 1 vote becasue the would be afraid that the vast majority of anti-rail voters will also vote for his opponent. Combine that with persons who are pro-rail, but anti-Mufi (maybe they don't like his singing or his looks) then you have the makings of an upset. Anything is possible - that's what makes politics fun.
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Re: Honolulu Mayor’s Race ’08
Originally posted by TuNnL View PostApparently, Duke Bainum and Kirk Caldwell will “duke it out” for Kobayashi’s now vacant seat. Caldwell’s last-minute filing was so hasty, he may have left his own House seat without a Democratic contender!
George Waialeale, a former Union Representative.
Auntie LynnBe AKAMAI ~ KOKUA Hawai`i!
Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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