Kauai Supporters Celebrate Mufi's Birthday

Kauai Rally for Mufi

Kauai residents and visitors streamed into the Kilohana Carriage House on Sunday, July 18, 2010, to help democratic candidate Mufi Hannemann celebrate his 56th birthday and support his bid to be Hawaii’s next governor. More than 1,800 friends, grassroots supporters and elected officials turned out for the star-studded event that featured the musical group Kapena who entertained a standing room only crowd.  Longtime family friend Phil Tacbian was the master of ceremonies.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, former Kauai Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, former State Representative Ezra Kanoho, former council members Mary Thronas and Ron Kochi, current council chair Kaipo Asing and State Representative James Tokioka were among the numerous government officials on hand.  Various groups also showed up in full force to kokua, including ILWU, SHOPO, UPW, the Firefighter’s Union and more. 

Russell Grady, Hannemann’s Kauai campaign director said, “We had a great cross section of business, labor and community leaders who attended.  Mufi Hannemann truly brings all people together.”     
“Mayor Hannemann was overwhelmed when he walked into what appeared to be a sea of people wearing red Mufi shirts,” said Dan Brown, Kauai campaign co-director.  He added, “Judging by the number of people who turned out, there is no doubt Mufi is going into this race with a strong record of accomplishments and a record number of new supporters.” 

Why was the birthday celebration staged on the island?  “Kauai is a special place for me,” Hannemann said. “My Uncle David Hannemann was a missionary here, my relatives, the Beavers, owned a camera shop in Lihue, and I came to Kauai regularly as a high school athlete and varsity basketball coach representing Iolani,” Hannemann explained.  Through the years, Hannemann traveled to Kauai regularly as a member of both the Ariyoshi and Waihee administrations and more recently as part of his work with the Hawaii Council of Mayors. 

Hannemann had high praise for Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho.  “Working with the Hawaii Council of Mayors, we were able to push back on attempts by the governor and others to take away a portion of the hotel room tax.  That is the collaborative leadership style that I will take with me to the Governor’s Office.”  Hannemann pledged that if elected, “Kauai would never play second fiddle to any other county.  All counties will be treated equally.”
Hannemann reminded the audience that in 1990, when he ran for the 2nd congressional district seat, “We won Kauai and the Big Island and I ask you to back me again.  Of the three major candidates for governor, I am the only one who actually lived and worked on the neighbor islands,” he said.   

The crowd cheered when Hannemann performed his brother Nephi’s hit, “Siva Siva-Samoan Medley” with Kapena.  And the audience was ecstatic when Hannemann and Mayor Carvalho sang together         
Hannemann’s gubernatorial candidacy has received numerous endorsements from labor unions and the business community including:

  • The 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 United Public Workers (UPW),
  • Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Union, Local 996 and
  • The Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association (HHLA).