http://www.kaleo.org/polopoly_fs/1.2327236!/Ka-Leo_Mufi-Full-Interview

INTRODUCTION: Name: Mufi Hannemann Age: 56 Education: B.A. in Government

PLATFORM AND VOTING RECORD: Civil Unions: considers marriage as sacred to man and a woman, but willing to work with Legislature on extending rights to all.

Traffic: Behind the Honolulu Rail Project.

Homelessness: Wants to focus on preventing homelessness, plans to work with state agencies to create low-income housing.

Hawaiian Sovereignty: Supports Akaka Bill, wiling to mediate talks for Native Hawaiians.

Public Education: Seeks flexibility from unions, school board, and administration to focus on the children.

Economy: 10-Point Plan including tourism, mass transit, and an audit of the State.

INTERVIEW: Ethan Porter: What, in your opinion, is the role of the state government?

Mufi Hannemann: The role of the state government is to insure that we are in a position to help and assist those areas of responsibility which that come under the state. Be it education: in this particular case, it’s the responsibility of the public education system, University of Hawaii, right down to our elementary schools. Other aspects of the state government is to help, obviously, stimulate the economy, working with the private sector collaboratively, ensuring that businesses can thrive in a tough business environment, you’ve got unprecedented economic challenges. The role of the state government is also to lead the way in protecting and preserving our environment, making sure that good laws are passed, incentives are in place for both residents and businesses, and the community to protect, preserve, and understand the importance of having a clean environment.

The government also has to, not only ensure fiscal accountability with how tax dollars are spent, but also make sure we lead with compassion: social services, healthcare, taking care of the sick, the poor, the needy, otherwise afflicted. All those are government’s role when society is hurting. So I see government as being a collaborator in some instances where we collaborate with the private sector, labor, and the academic community, other times government has to lead. Then always make it possible for our economy to be in a place where people are working, they

have a shelter over their heads, families can feed their children, they can send their kids to school, I mean that’s the ultimate goal, or objective, of every government, be it here in Hawai‘i or anyplace else. See now we have a vey unique situation with a President from Hawai‘i in the White House, we have a senior senator who’s a ranking senator in the United States Senate, you know, stars aligned in Washington, so since we’re so dependent on federal funds for everything across the board, it’s important to have someone here at home as the governor who can maximize the use of federal dollars, make sure that we are governing well with the use of those dollars that we generate locally, and then make sure that everybody knows that Hawai‘i is open for business for those who want to come in and invest in education, in jobs, in the environment so that puts everybody in a good place so that we are one of the best places in the nation. We are one of the best places to live, work, and raise our families, we’re not there yet, and my goal as governor is to make sure we get there.

E.P.: We at UH are feeling the crunch of budget cuts: teachers are being let go, class sizes are increasing, and tuition is getting higher every year. As governor, how do you plan on helping the University?

M.H.: First thing is to make the president (of the University) a full-fledged member of the cabinet. Sounds like it’s easier said than done, but I really believe that unless the governor is committed to have the president of the University of Hawai‘i and the Superintendent of (the Board of) Education as full fledged members of the cabinet, then everything else is going to be just talk. Because if you’re saying that the best investment that you can make for our future is education, you’ve got to walk parallel with those two individuals. And I think we have been to willy-nilly with it in the past: when we get along with the President of the University, they’re in the room. When we’re not on the same page, they sit in the back of the room, or, worse yet, they’re not invited. So that’s step number one.

Step number two is to make sure that funds that go for education, or are supposed to go for education are released for education, and they’re done in a timely basis; that raids are not being done for funds for education across the board. I pride myself that when I was the mayor of Honolulu we ran one of the best fiscal counties in America, if you will. We left it in better shape then I found it. Highest bond rating in the state, no negative watch, low risk auditee, clean audits—we saved money, we didn’t raid funds. All those things gave us high marks and we got rid of wasteful spending. I think that’s exactly what the next governor has to do

with the President and the Board of Regents to make sure it’s run more like a business, where it’s transparent, open, and people know where every dollar is going to go for education.

And thirdly, I really believe that the governor has to work with the President of the University and all of those connected with the University on the goals and objectives set forth by the University. Let’s not reinvent the wheel, and have the governor setting priorities for the University, you know, I think you set the philosophy, you say I’m there to help and collaborate, and lead a strong University system that’s headed by a President that’s going to be supported all the way around. I’ve already had several discussions with President Greenwood. I like some of her ideas, especially in the technology transfer, I have pledged a lot of support for that, because I really believe that’s an area that the state fumbled a bit with that 221. So, you know, let’s figure out from the state side what kind of education that we can put forward to insure that there’s a better capital formation type of legislation, and then, in terms of the technology transfer, work with the University, as opposed to setting up a separate council to do that. She wants to set up a council to do that, that’s fine, but make sure we’re together at the hip to do that.

I also believe that we have not scratched the potential yet of being a leading institution in the Asia-Pacific region. I think that’s where a governor can come in and really be able to promote and market the University in terms of the school and the campus, the research that can be done there, and, basically, bringing in dollars into the University. You know, there’s a lot of distinguished alumni throughout the Asia-Pacific region, I would like to engage them, proactively, just as I have promoted tourism in the past, because I have been very successful at that task, as the chairman of US Conference of Mayors Tourism Committee and as the former director DBED (Director of Business, Economic Development & Tourism) and as mayor of the biggest, longest state, I’m prepared to go to different parts of Asia and the Pacific and make the case for the University. Bring in outside investment, to go along with our local dollars as well as the federal grant, and basically make this a leading institution in the Asia-Pacific region.

One of the big objectives that I have is working with Greenwood and Morrison to really take advantage of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation). APEC is a once in a lifetime opportunity. In my opinion we could change the perception of an institution that exists basically in an area that’s known for sun, sand, sea, and surf, and spirit of aloha. I want to make sure that people know that they can vacation here in Hawai‘i and

invest and do business and be able to learn. So, should I be elected, I would, day one, work with Greenwood and Morrison, get them actively engaged with the host committee, and let everybody know that part of the potential benefit as to how do we upgrade the status of East-West Center and University of Hawai‘i so that we get pre-APEC opportunities and post-APEC opportunities. I feel very strongly about this because one of the reasons we got APEC to come to Honolulu, as chosen by President Obama, is that we made an excellent case that we’re one of the safest cities in America. So now let’s take the next step: make sure people know that this is one of the best cities in the world to invest, to learn, to partner with. So I see a business opportunity here and I see an academic opportunity, APEC 2011, and I want to work the University and the EastWest Center to make this a top objective, we don’t have much time. The next governor comes in in December you got less then seven months to pull this off. And we’re going to be kicking ourselves in the behind if we didn’t take advantage of this, in my opinion, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I’m a big, huge believer in sports. People have known I have a long track record of supporting University of Hawai‘i sports. Part of my former cabinet is now the head coach for the Rainbow Warriors Basketball team. I wanna lead the charge. Make sure people recognize us for excellence. I want every scholar-athlete that has ties to Hawai‘i or has an affinity or a dream about Hawai‘i, make the case for them to come here and play at the University of Hawai‘i. I want to be involved in recruiting. I want to help them with their facilities there because I really know that sports are a game changer. Sports uplift the community pride. Now, with the struggle for identity, for a league, because of the major turmoil in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference), may be resolved by the time that the next governor comes in, but were I governor now, I’d be rolling up my sleeves. I’d be helping Jim Donovan and the President say, “Ok, so what’s the next best step? Should we go independent? Should we try to hook up with another league? Should we try to revive the WAC?” Those things are very important because when the University does well, and I’ve seen it, I was very close to June Jones, that season was a miracle season. When Dave Shoji does well, when the baseball team does well, it just lifts. Look at the softball team last year. And the way to put Hawai‘i on the map in many ways. And it helps us to further our goals and objectives in the Pacific-Asian Rim. I remember June Jones once said; Hawaii’s football team is Polynesia’s football team. It’s the Pacific’s team. There are so many marketing revenue generation activities that could result if we position Hawai‘i as the team that the Asian-Pacific region loves to love.

Especially in those sports that they can’t compete in. Whether you’re from

Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia. So I really think I can help with the international mission of the University of Hawai‘i big time.

E.P.: Both you (and Abercrombie) left office to run in this election, which has drawn some criticism. How do you personally feel about that decision?

M.H.: I feel really good about it because I was very transparent and open about it. If you check the record in 2008, when I ran for reelection for mayor, the subject came up and I never ducked it. I said that I would like the option of looking at the possibility of going for higher office in 2010. The Star-Bulletin, if you Google their endorsement, they said we’re gonna endorse him, even though there’s a good chance he’ll be running for governor. Senator (Dan) Inouye came to my campaign headquarters on election night 2008 and he said, “The next step for Mufi Hannemann is either Washington Place or Washington DC.” So I have been very open about it, this wasn’t one of those things that I hatched at the last minute.

That’s number one. Number two: I had to make sure that the city was in a good place or a better place, there was no unfinished business left. I really feel confident that’s exactly what happened. Everything that I set out and promised that I would do in 2004 either is completed or what’s standing in the way is state assistance. So we defiantly have left the place better than we found it. Our fiscal situation has never been stronger. We have done the work that we said we were going to do with the infrastructure. Some of it is completed, some of it is ongoing, but that’s in a better place. We have become the safest big city in America because we have brought together our first-responders and we have worked collaboratively. And we have made rapid strides with the environment. By ensuring that the whole philosophy of how we take care of ōpala (trash) has been dealt with. Where we need a landfill now, but we have curbside recycling, we’re building a third boiler to convert more ōpala to electricity. And the landfill is being managed a lot better then it ever has been managed before. We had to come to grips with our waste water sewer system. Very difficult situation. I predicted, in 2004, that my biggest fear was a sewage spill in Waikīkī. Careful for what you ask for, you just may get it. And we dealt with it. We dealt with a long time lawsuit hovering over the City and County of Honolulu with our sewage and waste water system we had plans to put it together, the lawsuits have been removed. We put that in place. Now the biggest project that we embarked upon that I can’t do anything more at a city level, which speaks to what I said as to the state, is rail. Everything I needed to do for rail is pau at the county level. What’s standing in the way between 4,000 construction jobs and 10,000 new jobs a year is the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) that is sitting on the Governor’s desk.

If she doesn’t release it, then rail can’t go forward, and I, as mayor, cannot unilaterally move on that EIS that’s already been vetted and approved by the federal government. So

that’s one of the reasons why I said that you can’t go forward unless there’s state action.

And I see that across the board with so many things that we deal with. Whether it’s education, whether it’s homelessness, whether it’s the environment, so much more would be done, could be done with a supportive governor. That’s why two county mayors have endorsed me, Billy Kenoi of the Big Island and Mayor Carvalho of Kauai, because when we work collaboratively as four mayors, good things happen. We were able to save to hotel room tax from the counties. We were able to negotiate a successful settlement with the United Public Workers. We were able to promote tourism together. We were able to secure federal grants together.

So that’s the model of leadership that I offer. Governor, working collaboratively with four county mayors, and the Legislature, and the County Councils, the National Administration, and the Congress to get things done for Hawai‘i. The third thing that’s difference is I made sure that when I stepped down there was no void in leadership. My situation calls for the managing director to step up as acting mayor. Also I made sure that the election could be held on September 18th, the same day as the primary election. In the case of my opponent, it cost taxpayers $675,000 to pay for his special election. And in that special election, over $385,000 were raided from a special education fund, by the state, for the repair of maintenance of the neighbor island schools to help to pay for that.

Two things troubling there, first the cost of the special election, and b. we took funds out of education. And I know as an executive that once you raid, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to replace. Whatever the reason they come up with, that’s why, like I said, I take great pride in the fiscal practice I had, because we never raided funds. And that’s the philosophy that I want to take to the state, especially when it comes to education. So those are, basically, the three reasons about how I feel good about what I did. It was clear, that I was going to consider it, that I never hid it. B. I made sure that there’s no unfinished business. And C. I didn’t cost taxpayers any additional dollars by having to have a special election to replace me. Nothing was lost, we didn’t miss a beat in terms of ensuring an orderly transition, as opposed to the vacancy in my opponent’s situation.

E.P.: What is the biggest problem facing Hawaii today?

M.H.: Jobs, jobs, jobs. Too many people are worried out there; that their hours have been cut, that they are unemployed, that they may not have a long term job, that they may have to force their spouse to work, that they may have to get two or three more jobs, that they might have to ask their children to go to work. There’s so much uncertainty. We’re fearful of the future. I want to change that. I want to bring about my proven track record of being an administrator. An executive that knows how to work with the private sector to create jobs. Rail is just one example. I have so many other ideas, I’ve been endorsed by so many in the business community, and a lot of labor endorsement. We need a leader that can bring us together. Business-Labor, Neighbor Islands-O‘ahu, Republicans and Democrats, Rich and Poor. We have to put our arms around the economy and say, “Unless it improves, unless we’re gainfully employed, we’re always going to have problems

funding education. We’re always going to have problems funding social services. We’re always going to have problems having our county do the job they need to do because revenues from the state are going to be slow trickling down. So that is the biggest job of the next mayor. Job one has to be fix the economy, put people back to work and bring back the hope and optimism to the State of Hawai‘i.

E.P.: Where do you see the State of Hawaii in four years?

M.H.: I believe that, should I be fortunate enough to be governor, we are going to make a lot of improvements in all the areas I’ve talked about. I’ve highlighted three areas: the economy, the education, and the environment. I did that when I was the mayor of Honolulu, for four years we had an excellent report card, I won by 1300 votes, and by the time I was ready to enter the second term, my approval rating had risen to 80%. That’s not me, that’s my team. One of the things that I can do is put together a great team. Just like I did at the City, I can’t do it alone, I’m gonna put together one of the best cabinets that the State has ever seen. I have great optimism, because I have been an administrator, an executive and a manager. You need to keep in mind, this is not a legislative job, this is an executive job, a managerial job. The power, or the effectiveness of a congressperson rests on their aye, nay, approving policy, legislation and approving budgets. The effectiveness of a mayor, governor, President of the United States, president of a company, a non-profit group, or the University, you’re judged on what you do to manage, implement and execute programs especially those that have a funding objective, or that is being funded. You don’t do a good job at that, then everything else is, basically, going to fall apart.

E.P.: What is the most important thing you learned in college?

M.H.: The most important thing I is no matter how much education you receive, even if it gets to the point where you get that one degree you always learn and realize what my father told me when I graduated from high school, with honors, and I thought I was on top of the world because I got into every college I applied to, my father grabbed me by the arm and said, “Son, you know nothing.” And that’s what I’ve grown to appreciate in life. No matter how many accomplishments you achieve, recognition, or in the field of education. Every time you achieve one thing, you always recognize there’s so much more to learn. And unless you have that ongoing thirst for knowledge you’re going to fall behind, you’re going to become complacent. This very tried-for-true phrase for everyone, education is a journey, not a destination. And I think if more people feel that way, then it’s going to lead to a better society because we’re never going to be satisfied of that which we know about today, yesterday. It’s about being proactive about what the future holds and how we can address issues and problems down the line.

E.P.: What is your biggest value?

M.H.: Trust. That is I have lived my life by trusting in the Lord, trusting in my parents, trusting in my wife, trusting in my friends, my advisors, trusting in the people of Hawai‘i. I ask that they trust me with a job that I’m very well suited for. We have never faced a situation that we’re facing today, at least in my mind. That’s why this is the most important election since statehood. And you need to put the ball in the hands of someone who’s been there, done that, and is eager to do more with that which he has, that which he knows and the relationships that he’s developed, so that I can help make this thing better. You know, this is not about me. I could have lived a life in the private sector and been all about the money.

Money has never motivated me, it’s always been public service. And John Fitzgerald Kennedy said it best when I was a Cub Scout right down the road in Waikīkī when I first saw him. And he said words I’ve never forgot: “Hawai‘i is what the rest of the world should be striving to become.” And that always motivated me as a youngster. That we’re special, we’re unique. That we need not take a backseat to anyone. The public education that I received in Hawai‘i was terrific in laying that foundation that was reinforced by my parents, a mother who never went beyond the fourth grade, a father who only went to high school. They said, “Hey, you get as much education as possible and you use it to help others.” An over-arching quality that I’ve always tried to embody, which is why I’m very blessed to receive a lot of endorsements in the course of this campaign, it’s basically saying we’re placing our trust in you to do what is right. And I accept it, tough job but I’ve never shied away from a challenge.