Honolulu City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell on Monday officially kicked off his bid for the office of Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. Surrounded by friends, family and supporters, Caldwell emphasized that he would only run if and when the seat is vacated by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, which may be in 2010 or 2012. Until then, Caldwell will continue to serve the people in his current position, managing city government.
“Public service has always been my passion,” Caldwell told his supporters. “As Managing Director for the City and County of Honolulu, I have been given the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the city issues that affect our daily lives. I’m on on the job, I know the job, and I believe it would be a smooth transition frrom Managing Director to Mayor.”
Caldwell outlined his vision and commitment to create a vibrant Honolulu. Priority issues of a Caldwell administration will include ensuring a well-maintained infrastructure, moving forward on rail transit, strengthening Honolulu’s urban core, and preserving outlying areas for future generations.
Having been born and raised in Hawaii, Caldwell remembers a time when the community seemed closer knit. As Honolulu has grown into a major U.S. city, it has lost some of the elements found in the local neighborhoods that fostered a sense of shared responsibility, protectiveness and pride for our neighbors, our schools, our businesses and our achievements. A major theme in the Caldwell campaign will be to restore and renew those elements that make Honolulu one of the best cities in the world to live, work and play.
About Kirk Caldwell
Kirk Caldwell, 57, was born in Waipahu and raised in Hilo. He graduated in 1984 from the William S. Richardson School of Law and is a corporate attorney; he served as a managing partner in the Honolulu law firm Ashford & Wriston, where he was a partner through 2008. He currently serves as Managing Director for the City and County of Honolulu. He also served six years in the Hawaii House of Representatives, representing District 24 – Manoa, the last two years as Majority Leader. He and his wife of over 28 years, Donna Tanoue, and their daughter Maya, live in Manoa.
Note: the above is from a press release issued by the Caldwell campaign, Friends of Caldwell. I added emphasis in bold and any links.
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