Transit foe chosen to lead City Council

One of the toughest critics of a rail mass transit system for Oahu now leads the legislative body that last month approved the largest public works project in state history.

City Councilwoman Barbara Marshall was voted in as Council chairwoman yesterday at the inauguration and swearing-in for the four re-elected members of the Council -- Donovan Dela Cruz, Charles Djou, Gary Okino and Rod Tam.

Marshall's ascension culminates a leadership change that began after the Council's 7-2 vote last month giving approval to a fixed guideway mass transit system for Oahu.

The transit bill leaves it up to Mayor Mufi Hannemann to decide key segments of the route and whether the guideway would incorporate a rail system or buses. Hannemann has backed a light-rail system.

Although she described the transit proposal as "a path that will lead us not to less traffic congestion, but to a monumental debt for the city's taxpayers," Marshall acknowledged that the majority had voted in favor of the proposal.

"As Council chair, I will do all I can to make sure ... that the right steps are taken at the right time to make sure it all ends well for all the residents of Honolulu," she said.

Both Marshall and Councilman Charles Djou opposed the mass transit proposal, citing the price tag of at least $4.6 billion for the 28-mile route that was approved.

Marshall said she could change her mind in the future, if she feels the planning is sound and "if things line up and I'm convinced that it's not going to bankrupt the city and not going to fall on the backs of property taxpayers."

Marshall, elected to the Council in 2002, replaces Dela Cruz as leader of the nine-member Council.

Some members have said the change was partly a result of the sometimes bumpy process of selecting a mass transit system and route. Others, including new Council Vice Chairman Todd Apo, have said Dela Cruz's battles with Hannemann had become a distraction.

Hannemann said he looked forward to working with the Council's new leadership, adding that he accepts Marshall's call for fiscal responsibility in proceeding with mass transit.