His recently re-elected Honor, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann told approximately 500 family members and friends in the Laie School cafeteria on November 1 that he considers our community as his second home.

Mayor Hannemann was accompanied by his brother, Gus and wife Lydia (Deering), sister "Lady" Va from New York and, of course, his uncle T. David Hannemann and wife Carolyn, who live in Laie. His wife, Gail, was off-island. His father, Gustav, who passed away in 2001, is buried in Laie Cemetery.

"If I were to introduce the rest of my relatives in Laie it would take all night," he said, "because I have many, many relatives here, both on my mother's side and father's side. I thank them for standing with me through thick and thin over the years."

The mayor used the occasion to announce he had just signed a deal for a college all-star football game in which "a Hawaii team made up of the best 20-25 players in the state as well as players from American Samoa and "players of Polynesian ancestry who are playing ball on the mainland… That's going to happen on Friday, December 12, at Aloha Stadium."

"That's the team that's going to compete against the best players in the rest of the nation," he added.

Of course, Mayor Hannemann made a strong pitch for building a light-rail system, and urged everyone to vote for him — which they obviously did: He easily defeated Ann Kobayashi in the general election on Tuesday, November 4. As he begins his second term as mayor of the City and County of Honolulu (which includes all of Oahu), many  believe he intends to run for governor in 2010.

By popular demand, Mayor Hannemann sang several songs while his brother, sister, uncle and audience members danced a "siva." He also shared some of his stage time with State North Shore Representative Mike Magaoay who was re-elected, and newcomer candidate Jessica Wooley, who defeated Colleen Meyer; and hethanked all who helped put the pre-election event together, especially "the unofficial mayor of Laie, Junior Ah You."

(Above): Mayor Hannemann (in white shirt) and family and friends
perform at Laie Elementary School celebration; (Below): The mayor,
Rep. Mike Magaoay, Rep. Jessica Wooley, and event organizers.

 

— Folifotos