Mufi Hannemann is the 12th mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, the 13th largest municipality in the United States. He took office in January 2005 and was reelected resoundingly, with an 80-percent public approval rating, to a second term that began in January 2009.
In a little more than four years, Mayor Hannemann has amassed a remarkable record of achievement. He is leading the development of Oahu's first rail transit system, which is poised to break ground this year. His strong emphasis on public safety has led to Honolulu being named by the FBI as one of America's safest big cities, accreditation of both the police and fire departments, additions to the fleet of fire engines and police cars, repairs to fire houses, establishment of a Department of Emergency Management, expanded ambulance facilities, and a major overhaul of the first-responder telecommunication network.
His commitment to fiscal integrity resulted in many financial awards and consistently high bond ratings from prominent rating agencies. The administration's focus on the infrastructure led to billions of dollars of investments in the sewer network and treatment facilities, as well as expansion or improvement of curbside recycling, bulky-item pickup, and other refuse services. An expansion of the waste-to-energy plant will increase electricity output, while plans are proceeding for the processing of green waste, food waste, and sewage sludge; the introduction of new disposal demonstration technology; and ash and residue use.
Meanwhile, the City's aggressive road program has resulting in repaved thoroughfares, filling of potholes, and tens of millions of dollars for additional resurfacing. An accelerated parks and public facilities effort led to repairs and maintenance of parks, gyms, golf courses, and the Blaisdell Center, as well as new attractions at the Honolulu Zoo.
In the digital technology arena, the City has brought free wireless Internet service in public areas, City facilities, and parks; greatly expanded its catalog of online services; and earned national recognition for these accomplishments.
Mayor Hannemann, who has been a long-time advocate of economic development, has been credited with playing a pivotal role in averting the closure of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard; greatly expanding public-private partnerships with business and community organizations; revitalizing Chinatown as an arts and culture district, which snagged Honolulu a national outstanding achievement award; supporting the development of the Disney resort in Ko Olina and Trump Tower in Waikiki; and advocating for the sports and film industries. He has involved the City in supporting the agricultural industry by reducing property tax rates on farm land, curbing the theft of crops, collaborating with the Hawaii Farm Bureau on soil conservation, and opening a farmers market in downtown Honolulu.
On the environmental front, his 21st Century Ahupuaa program has set forth near-term goals for energy and resource conservation and sustainability in City government. He is credited with driving a successful effort to reduce demands on Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, save Waimea Valley from development, settle a long-standing management dispute involving the Kawai Nui Marsh, and expand recycling.
He is active in the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where he is a trustee and chairman of the group's tourism committee and is leading the charge nationally among his mayoral colleagues to prioritize the arts and visitor industry. He and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley are co-chairing the Windy City's bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
Hannemann helped found the Hawaii Council of Mayors, the organization of the state's four mayors that collaborates on inter-county issues, lobbies for state legislation, and works together on matters affecting local government. The also are all members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where they pursue federal assistance for the counties of Hawaii.
The Honolulu-born, Harvard-educated leader is an alumnus of Iolani School in his home town, where he was student body president, an all-star athlete in football and basketball, and recipient of the Headmaster's Award. He chose to attend Harvard University from amongst Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Brown, and Cornell. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in government from Harvard, and was active in student government and lettered in varsity basketball. Following his graduation in 1976, he studied abroad as a Fulbright Scholar at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.
Hannemann served on the City Council beginning in 1995, including as its chairman. At the state level, he was a special assistant to Governor George Ariyoshi. In the administration of Governor John Waihee, he was director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and Office of International Relations. He was an executive with agribusiness C. Brewer and Company, created and operated his own consulting firm and non-profit organization, and was an educator and coach at Iolani School, his high school alma mater. He also founded the Pacific Century Fellows, modeled after the White House Fellows, that is mentoring and encouraging future generations of local leaders.
He has the distinction of having served in four Presidential administrations—Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush—in a number of appointed capacities. He was a special assistant in the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Insular and International Affairs under President Jimmy Carter. He was a White House Fellow with Vice President George H.W. Bush during the Reagan administration. He was President Bill Clinton's U.S. representative to the South Pacific Commission under the U.S. Department of State. And he was appointed by former U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship during the tenure of President George W. Bush.
Among his numerous honors and awards, Mayor Hannemann was selected as the "Best Public Official" in 2008 by Honolulu Magazine, and in 2009, the readers of Honolulu Weekly judged him "Best Local Politician" for job performance and his media-savvy.
He was selected for the Easter Seals National Outstanding Advocate Award, named Fellow of the Pacific by Hawaii Pacific University, honored by Iolani School with the Alumni Service Award, and inducted into the Farrington High School Governors' Hall of Fame. The National Football League gave him its highest state accolade by honoring him with the Val Pinchbeck Award for his support for the Hawaii Pro Bowl and the league's charitable endeavors in the islands. The American Diabetes Association has recognized Hannemann as its honorary chairman for several years and credits him as the most prolific fundraiser and volunteer recruiter for the organization's annual fundraising walk. In August 2009, the Boy Scouts of America's Aloha Council named him its Hawaii Distinguished Citizen of the year.
Hannemann is married to Gail Mukaihata Hannemann, who is the chief executive officer of the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii. They reside in Aiea.
