Kirk Caldwell with U. S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (Photo: kirkcaldwell.com)
After lunch on New Year’s Eve, I received word that former State Representative Kirk Caldwell (Manoa) was named by Mayor Mufi Hannemann as the City and County of Honolulu’s next Managing Director. It is the City’s top appointed position and comes with a $120,000 annual salary. Note that as an attorney and partner at local law firm Ashford & Wriston, this is not necessarily a job he takes for the money. It is a high-profile position (former Mayor Jeremy Harris was MD before successfully running for mayor himself) that will allow him to continue to serve the community he has worked tirelessly to make a better place to live, both in elected office and other government service.
Caldwell was most recently Majority Leader for the House of Representatives. He made news earlier this year by giving up his safe House seat to mount a run for City Council after 2008 Political Slop of the Year Duke Bainum flew to Hawaii just in time to establish residency and run for the seat. After Caldwell was disqualified by the City Clerk, by a challenge he asked a friend to make, it allowed Bainum to run unopposed for his City Council seat. While some were frustrated with Caldwell’s decision not to challenge the Clerk’s ruling, I think this was indicative of his high moral character to accept that ruling, as much as he may have personally objected to it.
As an appointed position, the appointment is contingent upon a confirmation vote by the City Council. Until confirmed, Caldwell will serve as Acting Managing Director. Don’t worry, if Councilmember Bainum tries to play politics with this one, I will be sure to report it here. In fact, I’ll be sure to report anything I may disagree with.
Congratulations, Kirk! And residents of Honolulu should congratulate ourselves for having a leader with passion for his fellow residents, the drive and determination to get the job done, the smarts needed for the job, and the highest caliber of morals and values serving as our new Managing Director.
Mahalo!
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