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Hannemann moves closer to bid for governor

By Richard Borreca

POSTED: 09:28 p.m. HST, Jun 09, 2009

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At an off-work meeting with cabinet members and supporters tonight, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann authorized supporters to form an exploratory committee for his run for governor in 2010.

According to sources, Hannemann told his supporters that while he is still considering whether he should run for Congress, governor or stay in office, he has been getting donations for a run for governor.

The mayor returned the initial donations, according to the source, but then authorized supporters to start accepting donations toward a gubernatorial campaign.

While not a definitive announcement, the formation of an exploratory committee usually precedes a formal announcement of a campaign.

The only announced Democrat running is U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who is planning a major fundraiser June 29 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

Hannemann also has a so-far-unspecified fundraiser planned for later this month.

Abercrombie and Hannemann faced either other in the 1986 Democratic primary for Congress. 

Hannemann has toyed with the race for governor since before winning re-election as mayor last year. During the campaign, Hannemann pointedly said that he would not rule out a race for another office before completing his second term as Honolulu’s chief executive.

In March, Abercrombie announced he would run for governor and not seek reelection to Hawaii’s first congressional district, where he has served for the past 20 years. Abercrombie kicked off his campaign with an announcement in Honolulu and then a series of campaign rallies across the state.

On the GOP side, Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona has been running and raising campaign funds for about a year. He is in the midst of statewide series of fundraisers now. 

Also running is former GOP legislator John Carroll.

In 1986, Hannemann beat Abercrombie in the Democratic primary election to fill the term of U.S. Rep. Cec Heftel, but Abercrombie won the special election to fill the spot for two months. Republican Pat Saiki later defeated Hannemann for the regular two-year term.

Hannemann also lost to Patsy Mink in a 2nd Congressional District race in 1990.

Hannemann won a Council seat, representing the Pearl City-Waipahu area and later became Council chairman.

Hannemann is also a former Fulbright scholar and White House Fellow and former director of the Hawaii Department of Business and Economic Development.

In 2004, he defeated then-Councilman Duke Bainum for Honolulu mayor.

At an off-work meeting with cabinet members and supporters tonight, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann authorized supporters to form an exploratory committee for his run for governor in 2010.


According to sources, Hannemann told his supporters that while he is still considering whether he should run for Congress, governor or stay in office, he has been getting donations for a run for governor.

The mayor returned the initial donations, according to the source, but then authorized supporters to start accepting donations toward a gubernatorial campaign.

While not a definitive announcement, the formation of an exploratory committee usually precedes a formal announcement of a campaign.

The only announced Democrat running is U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who is planning a major fundraiser June 29 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

Hannemann also has a so-far-unspecified fundraiser planned for later this month.

Abercrombie and Hannemann faced either other in the 1986 Democratic primary for Congress. 

Hannemann has toyed with the race for governor since before winning re-election as mayor last year. During the campaign, Hannemann pointedly said that he would not rule out a race for another office before completing his second term as Honolulu’s chief executive.

In March, Abercrombie announced he would run for governor and not seek reelection to Hawaii’s first congressional district, where he has served for the past 20 years. Abercrombie kicked off his campaign with an announcement in Honolulu and then a series of campaign rallies across the state.

On the GOP side, Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona has been running and raising campaign funds for about a year. He is in the midst of statewide series of fundraisers now. 

Also running is former GOP legislator John Carroll.

In 1986, Hannemann beat Abercrombie in the Democratic primary election to fill the term of U.S. Rep. Cec Heftel, but Abercrombie won the special election to fill the spot for two months. Republican Pat Saiki later defeated Hannemann for the regular two-year term.

Hannemann also lost to Patsy Mink in a 2nd Congressional District race in 1990.

Hannemann won a Council seat, representing the Pearl City-Waipahu area and later became Council chairman.

Hannemann is also a former Fulbright scholar and White House Fellow and former director of the Hawaii Department of Business and Economic Development.

In 2004, he defeated then-Councilman Duke Bainum for Honolulu mayor.

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