Hotel association backs mayor for top state job

Mayor Mufi Hannemann has picked up the endorsement of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association in his campaign for governor.

"People in our industry had worked with Mufi for many, many years in a variety of capacities and felt very comfortable with him and felt he would be able to get the job done," said Murray Towill, the trade association’s president.

The association has a statewide membership of 170 hotels, condos, time shares and other lodging entities representing more than 48,000 guest rooms.

Towill said the endorsement was approved unanimously by the body’s 30-member board of directors.

"Having the endorsement of a business organization like HHLA is a big, big boost to our campaign," Hannemann said.

Hannemann’s chief gubernatorial rivals include former U.S. Rep. and fellow Democrat Neil Abercrombie and Republican Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.