Rick Blangiardi Announces Run For Honolulu Mayor
The longtime media executive will face some well-funded opponents.
Rick Blangiardi, the former general manager of Hawaii News Now, announced his candidacy for Honolulu mayor on Wednesday.
In a statement, he said he is running for office after a 43-year career in media.
鈥淚 understand the challenges are complex, and I may not have all the answers, but I promise to listen to the concerns of Oahu鈥檚 people, and focus on real and lasting solutions,” he said, adding that he promises to “listen carefully, to act with civility, and above all else, to act with integrity.”
Blangiardi, who hasn’t filed paperwork yet with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission, said his campaign will be chaired by Art Ushijima, the former CEO of The Queen鈥檚 Health Systems.
Mike Gold, the former CEO of Hawaii Medical Service Association, is his treasurer, and Mark Polivka, President and CEO of Monarch Insurance, is his finance chair.
Also running for mayor are businessman Keith Amemiya, City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine, former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and community activist Choon James.
Campaign finance reports filed this month show Amemiya raised the most donations in the second half of 2019 with $723,723 plus $200,000 he loaned himself. Hanabusa raised $259,192 during the same six-month period. Pine, who brought in $127,077, had a campaign surplus of $607,124 thanks to money raised in previous elections.
Candidates have until June 2 to file to run.
