City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell said he is not going to seek the 5th City Council District seat left vacant by the death of Councilman Duke Bainum on June 9.

Caldwell is a former state representative for Mänoa who chose in 2008 to forego a reelection bid in order to run for the 5th Council Distric, when then-Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi decided to challenge Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s reelection bid. Hannemann tapped Caldwell to be his second-in-command afterward.
Kobayashi remains the most well-known of nine candidates who have registered for the special election to date.
Deadline to file for the all-mail election is Thursday.
Ballots must be received by the city clerk’s office by 6 p.m. on Aug. 7 and will be mailed approximately 20 days prior to then.
Caldwell said it’s too early to speculate if he will run for mayor if Hannemann chooses to run for governor next year. Hannemann would have to resign and a special reelection would need to be held to replace him.
The 5th District encompasses Mänoa, parts of Makiki, Kaimuki and Kapahulu.