Mayor of the 12th largest city in the nation, Mufi Hannemann works hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He's often on the job for long hours, seven days a week, and must attend many special functions after hours.
"It's really difficult to turn down 'ono food that someone has spent hours preparing," he says. "I have to practice self-restraint." His weaknesses are chocolate chip cookies and desserts. "But my eating habits have gotten a lot better as I've gotten older. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, which I always start off with oatmeal."
Hannemann, who is 51, regularly plays racquetball at the YMCA. "I like to play with people who are smaller and quicker than me because it really makes me move," he says.
An all-star athlete in basketball and football at Iolani School, Hannemann was also a varsity basketball letterman at Harvard University. "I work up a sweat by the vigorous exercise and aerobics that are part of my one-hour racquetball and occasional basketball games," he says.
He relies on his secretary, Charlene Ito, to make sure he regularly gets out of the office and onto the racquetball court. She calls it "the mayor's health and physical fitness meeting."
After an especially busy day in which his racquetball time has been scrubbed because of urgent public safety and budgetary issues, Hannemann puts on his running shoes and jogs around his 'Aiea neighborhood, sometimes as late as 1 a.m. At the same time, he is "policing the community," he points out.
When traveling, Hannemann goes on long walks near his hotel. After social engagements in Waikiki, he and his wife, Gail, walk off their meal by taking a brisk stroll down Kalakaua or Kuhio avenues.
"I talk with police officers, residents, visitors and shop owners, and look at what we can do to improve things in that area," he says. "I'm committed to making Honolulu a walkable city where people can feel safe."
Growing up in Kalihi, Hannemann participated in the Police Activities League and organized baseball and basketball with the Kalakaua Athletic Club. He was later a popular basketball coach at Iolani.
"I've always been a sports-minded person, and my family is very active in sports," says Hannemann, the sixth of Gus and Faiaso Hannemann's seven children. "So, it's just a natural habit, something I enjoy and have continued throughout my life."
To Hannemann, who has served in four U.S. presidential administrations and worked for two Hawai'i governors, the physical benefits derived from playing sports at an early age are endless. "It's the best teacher for learning how to win or lose with grace and dignity, how to persevere and go after a goal. It's never about one individual; it's always a collective effort," he says.
Playing sports was also a vehicle for Hannemann to get an education -- first at Iolani and then at Harvard, where he graduated with honors and was the first graduate of Samoan ancestry.
Some 20 years ago, Hannemann gained 40 pounds while working as the "official taster" for the Punalu'u Sweetbread Shop. It was part of his duties as marketing honcho for C. Brewer and had him spending considerable time on the Big Island.
"That was one time in my life when I was pretty heavy," recalls Hannemann, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall. "So I now make a conscious effort to maintain my weight by eating right and exercising regularly."
In April, Hannemann helped launch HMSA's go campaign at the Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. "I applaud HMSA for its 'get up, get out, get active' effort because that's exactly what we all need to do," he says.
"Childhood obesity is very prevalent here in the Islands, and I think it takes a determined effort by the entire health care community, as well as government and business leaders. As adults, we must encourage our kids to get off the couch or up from their computers and get out there and be engaged in a healthy lifestyle."
The mayor plans to launch a Honolulu anti-obesity campaign to engage kids in an active, healthier lifestyle because "it would have a rippling effect on adults in our city and throughout the state."
We all need to take personal responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, according to Hannemann. "You have to think about your family. If you want to be around for them and live as long as possible, you must take care of yourself.
"It's all part of the 'ohana concept that we pride ourselves on," he says. "As mayor, I want everyone to think of our city as our home. We are all in it together. And that extends to us individually, as members of our immediate family, and as the extended family of the City and County of Honolulu."
Hannemann says his goal is to make Honolulu one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise families. "But, I realize that if my own health is not good, then I'm no good for anyone," he points out. "My biggest ongoing challenge is to make sure I get enough rest, eat right, and maintain a healthy, physical lifestyle."