Hannemann Announces Economic Action Plan

Monday, July 26, 2010

Gubernatorial Candidate Views Improving Economy as Top Priority

Gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann today announced his plan for growing Hawaii’s economy during a press conference at his Oahu campaign headquarters.  Hannemann identified improving the economy as the top priority of his administration and the means for addressing other issues facing the state government.

“The economy is the number one issue,” said Hannemann.  “If the economy does not grow, there will be no money to improve our public education system, provide social services to those in need, and no jobs for our people. Hawaii needs an experienced leader who can bring labor and business together to grow the economy.  Having been mayor of the 12th largest city in the country, I have managed 10,000 employees, a multi-billion dollar budget, negotiated labor contracts, implemented public private partnerships, and worked collaboratively with all three neighbor island mayors to identify ways that our counties can collectively grow our economies.  I have also served as the State Director of the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism during a challenging period of the Waihee Administration and have worked extensively in the private sector for C. Brewer & Co, one of Hawaii’s oldest agribusiness firms.”

As governor, Hannemann will build on the approach he used for the city and county of Honolulu; identify and remedy inefficiencies in systems and processes, pursue cost savings incentives, invest in aging infrastructure and automate the state.  His economic action plan calls for launching the initiatives within the first 3-6 months of his administration in collaboration with the State Legislature, County Mayors and key stakeholders from the private sector, labor, academia, non-profit service organizations and the community.

Hannemann's economic action plan include: 

  • Audit Government Now. Eliminate waste and inefficiencies, and identify cost-saving measures, through a thorough management review.
  • Expedite Infrastructure Improvements. Move more quickly to create jobs to upgrade state roads, airports and harbors.
  • Champion Tourism. Increase direct air service from major markets to Hawai`i.  Secure long-term agreement for the NFL Pro Bowl.
  • Maximize Our APEC Opportunity. Working together, we can showcase Hawai`i to the world by successfully hosting the 2011 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
  • Promote Renewable Energy and High Tech. Take the lead in alternative energy technology to make Hawai`i a world model for sustainability.  Recommit to attracting quality high-tech jobs and boosting our film industry.
  • Grow Hawai`i Agriculture. Support agriculture through land and water use policies, working with landowners, and improve marketing.
  • Restore the Superferry. Do it right with environmental protections and a complete EIS.  Don’t waste the investment taxpayers have already made.
  • Move Forward on Rail. Remove the roadblock in the Governor’s office, get our construction industry working, and build a 21st century transit system.
  • Appoint a Workforce Development Czar. Bring together our educational and business communities to focus on preparing our young people for the challenges of the 21st century workforce.
  • Automate the State. Scrap outdated, disjointed computers and modernize our telecommunications infrastructure as we've done in Honolulu.

The following business executives and leaders attended today's announcement: David Carey, Stanford Carr, Jeff Coelho, Rick Egged, Rick Humphreys, Bert Kobayashi, Patrick Kobayashi, Alana Kobayashi Pakkala, Alton Kuioka, Toby Martyn, Roy Yamaguchi, and Tara Young.

“Hawaii needs a leader with both private and public sector experience to truly understand what it will take to fix our economy,” said Carey. “Now more than ever, Hawaii is in need of strong executive leadership and we believe that Mufi is exactly what our state needs right now.”

“Mufi makes decisions that will not increase his popularity but will instead enable our children to inherit a Hawaii they can be proud of,” said retired banking executive Tony Guerrero. “A good leader thinks about the future not just now. Mufi has the ability to look forward.”

Earlier this year, the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association (HHLA) announced their support for Hannemann, citing his solid understanding of the business, environmental and marketing dynamics of the tourism industry - the state’s economic engine.

Hannemann has received more endorsements from labor than all of his opponents.  To date, Hannemann has been endorsed by Iron Workers Local 625, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 and the Hawaii Longshore Division (ILWU), State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO), Sheet Metal Workers Local 293, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District 50, Drywall Tapers Finishers Local 1944, Operating Engineers Local 3, Hawaii Fire Fighters Association (HFFA), Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Union, Local 996, and the United Public Workers (UPW).

T. George Paris, Managing Director of the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund said, “The common ground for labor and business is to get our economy moving again.  Mufi Hannemann has demonstrated that he can work collaboratively with all groups to get things done.  During these critical economic times in Hawaii we need somebody who can make things happen.”


Please click here to download our economic action plan.