and he previously served as the organization's leader from 2010–2011. Political career 1970s Carter administration After his teaching career, Hannemann entered government service as a special assistant to President Jimmy Carter, working with the United States Department of the Interior. Ariyoshi administration Hannemann was appointed by Governor of Hawaii George Ariyoshi as a special assistant. 1980s 1986 congressional election In 1986, Hannemann ran for the First District in the U.S. House that was being vacated by Cecil Heftel, who sought the governorship that year. Hannemann won the Democratic primary election but lost the special election to fill Heftel's unexpired term to Neil Abercrombie. He again lost in the general election to Republican candidate Pat Saiki. Bush administration He then served as staff assistant to Vice President George H. W. Bush. 1990s 1990 congressional election In 1990, he ran for Congress again, this time for the Second District seat vacated by Daniel Akaka, who was eventually elected to the U.S. Senate. He lost the Democratic primary to Patsy Mink, who eventually won the seat. Waihee administration Hannemann would again be tapped for government service in 1991, appointed by Governor John D. Waiheʻe III as Chairman of the Hawaii Pro Bowl Host Committee, Chairman of the Task Force on Homeporting, Director of the Hawaii Office of International Relations and Director of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Clinton administration Having directed various state agencies of the Government of Hawaii, Hannemann was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve at the federal level once again as United States Representative to the South Pacific Commission. Honolulu City Council In 1994, Hannemann was elected to the Honolulu City Council representing Aiea and Pearl City, and in 1996 he founded the Pacific Century Fellows Program modeled after the White House Fellows Program. He was re-elected to his seat in 1998. He served as Council Chairman from 1998 to 1999. Differences in opinion with then-Mayor Jeremy Harris led to his resignation from the Council in 2000 to run against Harris. Harris won re-election in the September 2000 non-partisan election with enough votes to avoid a run-off that November. 2000s Bush administration In the administration of President George W. Bush, Hannemann served in the United States Department of Labor as a member of the President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce. Mayor of Honolulu In 2004 Hannemann again ran for Mayor, this time to replace