Mayor Candidate Caldwell Reiterates Tourism Support

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Honolulu mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell announced in a press release Monday his July 10 endorsement from the Hawai’i Lodging & Tourism Association.

This shouldn’t be much of a shock considering Caldwell’s former boss, Mufi Hannemann, is the former President and CEO of the HLTA.

Hannemann quit that position on July 9. The following day, when the HLTA endorsed Caldwell, it also supported Mayor Peter Carlisle. Hannemann, too, received the group’s endorsement.

While Hannemann was Honolulu’s mayor he appointed Caldwell as his managing director, which is essentially the highest non-elected office at the city.

Hannemann’s role with the HLTA is now being questioned by Honolulu City Council Member Tulsi Gabbard, who has filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint against him. Gabbard is running against Hannemann for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat.

— Nick Grube

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