MAYOR TO VISIT NEW ENGLAND

TO SPEAK ON ARTS AND ENVIRONMENT

U.S. Conference of Mayors’ business

takes mayor on a three-day blitz of Boston and Concord

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann, at the invitation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, travels to Boston this evening (November 27) to join fellow mayors Greg Nickels of Seattle, Doug Palmer of Trenton, and Martin Chavez of Albuquerque at a forum at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  The topic is climate protection and the specific actions that cities like Honolulu are taking to contribute to a solution.  The event is being held for recently elected “new” mayors from across the country and will also be open to the students and faculty of the Harvard community.

            While in Boston, he will meet with transit officials to discuss that city’s transit system and tour transit-oriented development communities.

            His second stop takes him to Concord, New Hampshire, where he will address the ArtsVoteNH group on behalf of the nation’s mayors.  The organization’s Arts & Politics event also offers Presidential candidates, who are vying for the New Hampshire primary vote, an opportunity to share their positions on the arts and creative economy.

            Mayor Hannemann was an early signatory of Mayor Nickel’s U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement that encourages cities to take the initiative on climate protection and subscribe to the principles outlined by the Kyoto Protocol.  In the absence of federal ratification, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has responded in order to fill the leadership void.  The Climate Protection Agreement has now been joined by 720 U.S. mayors.

            Mayor Hannemann said, “We have a very compelling story to tell about our 21^st Century Ahupua‘a and the City’s new sustainability plan.  It combines the issues of climate protection, sustainability, and self-sufficiency that are critical for Hawaii’s future.”

            The mayor is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ advisory committee and chairs their standing committee on tourism, arts, parks, entertainment, and sports.  He was instrumental in having these issues, important to Hawaii, included in the Mayors’ 10-Point Plan.

            He noted, “These are key elements for the success of our economy in Hawaii.  It has always been our goal to make Honolulu an international art and culture center.

            “This trip is an opportunity for me to help influence national policy.  I look forward to meeting with the Presidential candidates to discuss Hawaii’s unique opportunities.”

            The mayor will return to Honolulu on Friday to kick off the Honolulu City Lights festivities on Saturday.

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Contact:

Bill Brennan, 527-6928