FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              March 23, 2007

Release No. M-25-07

MAYOR WILL TESTIFY BEFORE U.S. SENATE ON REAL I.D.

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann will be in Washington, D.C., Monday

to testify on Real ID at a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on government management oversight. The mayor was invited to testify by Senator Daniel Akaka, chairman of the oversight subcommittee.

            Real ID is an initiative of the Department of Homeland Security that would impose stringent new requirements for people to receive driver licenses or state identification cards in order to combat terrorism. A law to impose it nationwide was enacted two years ago. However, local licensing officials across the nation and many members of Congress, including Akaka­, now say the requirements and deadlines are unrealistic and burdensome.

            “As the only City in the nation that produces driver’s licenses for the entire state, Honolulu is in a unique position, and we are honored by Senator Akaka’s invitation to testify,” said Hannemann. “The current proposal for Real ID would cost Honolulu taxpayers millions of dollars without any financial support from the federal government, and imposes an unreasonable timetable for compliance.

            “We certainly agree with the intent of the bill, but would hope that the Congress will realize the need to properly fund it,” said Hannemann, who is scheduled to testify on Monday.

            Hannemann departs Honolulu Sunday and returns to the office Tuesday afternoon.

            In his absence, Managing Director Wayne Hashiro will be acting mayor.

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Contact:

            Bill Brennan, 527-2968

            Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767