Mayor of Honolulu

Mayor of Honolulu is the chief executive officer of the City and County of Honolulu, a consolidated city–county encompassing the entire island of Oahu and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The mayor oversees a vast municipal government responsible for services across the island, from urban Honolulu to rural communities, and administers a multi-billion dollar budget. The position was established in 1909 following the merger of the former City of Honolulu and the County of Oahu, with Joseph J. Fern serving as the first mayor. The current mayor is Rick Blangiardi, who was first elected in 2020 and took office on January 2, 2021.

History

The office was created by the Territory of Hawaii legislature with the passage of the Honolulu Charter in 1909, which consolidated the governments of the city and the county. This action was influenced by progressive-era reforms seeking more efficient administration, similar to consolidations in other U.S. cities like San Francisco. Early mayors, such as John H. Wilson and John C. Lane, grappled with rapid population growth, the expansion of U.S. Naval facilities like Pearl Harbor, and major public works projects including the construction of the Ala Wai Canal. The Attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 thrust then-Mayor Lester Petrie into a critical role coordinating civil defense with military authorities. Post-war mayors like Neal Blaisdell oversaw a tourism and construction boom, leading projects such as the Neal S. Blaisdell Center and the Honolulu International Airport. Later administrations, including those of Frank F. Fasi and Jeremy Harris, were marked by debates over rail transit, urban development, and environmental management.

Duties and powers

The mayor, as the chief executive, is responsible for implementing all city ordinances, preparing and administering the annual operating and capital budget, and appointing the heads of all executive departments, such as the Honolulu Police Department and the Honolulu Fire Department, subject to confirmation by the Honolulu City Council. The mayor directs the operations of major agencies including the Department of Transportation Services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Board of Water Supply. Key powers include veto authority over legislation passed by the Honolulu City Council, the ability to declare a state of emergency, and serving as the principal representative of the city in dealings with the state government, the federal government, and other entities like the U.S. Congress and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Election and succession

The mayor is elected in a nonpartisan citywide election for a four-year term and is limited to two consecutive terms. Elections are held in conjunction with the state's general election in November of even-numbered years. If a vacancy occurs, the managing director assumes the role of acting mayor until a special election is held, as outlined in the Revised Charter of Honolulu. The most recent election was in 2020, where Rick Blangiardi defeated Keith Amemiya. The office has been held by members of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, though local elections are officially nonpartisan.

List of mayors

Since 1909, there have been 15 individuals who have served as mayor. The longest-serving mayor was Frank F. Fasi, who served for 22 years over three non-consecutive periods. Other notable mayors include Neal Blaisdell, who served during Hawaii's transition to statehood and a period of major infrastructure growth; Eileen Anderson, the first and only woman to hold the office; and Mufi Hannemann, who resigned to run for Governor of Hawaii. The current mayor, Rick Blangiardi, is a former television executive and university athletics administrator. A complete chronological list includes Joseph J. Fern, John C. Lane, Joseph J. Fern again, John H. Wilson, George Fred Wright, John H. Wilson again, Charles N. Arnold, Lester Petrie, John H. Wilson a third time, Neal Blaisdell, Frank F. Fasi, Eileen Anderson, Frank F. Fasi again, Frank F. Fasi a third time, Jeremy Harris, Mufi Hannemann, Peter Carlisle, Kirk Caldwell, and Rick Blangiardi.

See also

* City and County of Honolulu * Honolulu City Council * Government of Hawaii * List of capitals in the United States * Mayor-council government

Category:Mayors of Honolulu Category:Government of Honolulu