Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday received the 2010 National Award for Local Arts Leadership from the Americans for the Arts and U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Hannemann accepted the award at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 78th annual winter meeting at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"It's truly an honor to be recognized for something in which I believe so passionately," Hannemann said. "And I accept this award on behalf of all those people and organizations in the City and County of Honolulu who share that same passion for the arts, and understand how important the arts are in adding to our city's quality of life."

Hannemann was recognized for taking a lead in creating opportunities to use the arts as a catalyst for economic development and community revitalization in Honolulu, the city said.

His efforts to create an arts enterprise zone in downtown Honolulu and his collaboration with the Hawaii Arts Alliance to open the ARTS at Marks Garage were singled out, as were his continuing support of the Honolulu Film Office and the First Friday events in Chinatown.