Mufi Hannemann says his chief opponents for governor lack the private-sector experience the former Honolulu mayor says he has.

That experience includes stints with C. Brewer & Co. on the Big Island, work as a business consultant, and teaching history and varsity basketball at Iolani School. After serving as a White House fellow for Vice President George H.W. Bush, Hannemann joined C. Brewer in 1984. He served as vice president for corporate marketing and public affairs and president and general manager of Punaluu Sweetbread Shop/Visitor Center and C. Brewer Hawaiian Juices for C. Brewer & Co between ’84 and ’91, with time out to run for Congress in 1986 and 1990, both unsuccessful campaigns.

“I think the problem with my opponents is that they haven’t spent one day in the private sector,” Hannemann, a Democrat, said at a news conference announcing his economic plan Monday.

Democrat Neil Abercrombie, a former Congressman, fired back Tuesday.

Among his past jobs: waiter at Chuck’s Steak House in Waikiki, locker desk clerk at the Central YMCA, custodian at Mother Rice Preschool, Construction Apprentice Program Coordinator for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, teacher at Spaulding School, and adjunct professor at the former Hawaii Loa College.
 
“Apparently Mufi Hannemann doesn’t view the hundreds of thousands of working class people in Hawaii’s private sector as having any ‘private sector experience,'” said Abercrombie press liaison Jim McCoy. 

Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona, the leading Republican candidate for governor, issued this statement Tuesday:

“Mufi Hannemann’s comments are incorrect, and the record must be made clear on this matter. I have not only worked in the private sector, but I have also owned my own business.
 
“It is telling that his false assertion came when he was trying to promote himself. His proposals show he has more to learn when it comes to running state government.”
 
The statement continued: “Before being elected by the people of Hawaii in November 2002 to serve as Lieutenant Governor, Duke Aiona owned a firm where he worked as an attorney, arbitrator, mediator, hearings officer, part-time judge and professional consultant. He opened the business in January 1999.”