StarBulletin.com

Rail foes, backers launch final push


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POSTED: Sunday, November 02, 2008

On the last weekend before elections, the difference between the rail campaigns in money and manpower were stark.

Yesterday in Kapolei, a family festival sponsored by rail supporters had barbecue, live music performances and Mayor Mufi Hannemann chanting “;Go rail go”; with hundreds of Leeward residents.

Across Oahu in the shadow of Diamond Head, three anti-rail volunteers waved signs and handed out fliers at the Kapiolani Community College farmers' market. Still, Stop Rail Now volunteers believe there will be a silent swell of supporters leading into Tuesday's election.

“;I think the grass-roots groundswell support for an alternative to a too-expensive, ultimately useless boondoggle has always been strong,”; said Rob Marrone, a Stop Rail Now volunteer. “;It's concerned, informed people networking amongst themselves.”;

In many ways the campaigns for rail and for mayor have intertwined, with Hannemann for rail and Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi against it. Former mayoral candidate Panos Prevedouros, now a Kobayashi adviser, also campaigned against the rail issue.

When Hannemann addressed the crowd yesterday, he made no mention of the mayoral race, talking only about the rail and its possible benefits.

“;This is not for me, this is not a legacy project,”; he said in an interview. “;The easiest thing for me to do was not have done rail. If I didn't do rail, chances are Ann wouldn't have run, Panos wouldn't have run. I wouldn't have the kind of opposition I've stirred up.”;

Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz, Kobayashi's campaign manager, said “;95 percent”; of the time a discussion of the mayoral race leads to rail.

“;But when I personally talk to people door to door, there are actually quite a bit of people that might be supporting rail but they're going to vote for Ann,”; Dela Cruz said. “;They like her style of leadership.”;

Despite the confidence in both rail camps, neither side is taking anything for granted. Canvassing and sign-waving will continue through Tuesday for both groups.

“;I can't predict things because there are so many variables that haven't been before,”; said University of Hawaii-Manoa graduate student Hannah Miyamoto, a rail supporter. “;You have Barack Obama at the top of the ballot. This issue is not the only thing on the ballot. Who is that going to bring out?”;

Marrone said even though Stop Rail Now doesn't have the money, he believes the grass-roots campaign will pay off on Tuesday.

Pro-rail supporters have outspent the anti-rail organization by about three to one since the Sept. 20 primary.

Rail proponents combined to spend about $243,000 through Oct. 20, according to campaign spending reports. Stop Rail Now spent $75,074 in the same period.

“;I maintain that the grass-roots movement has a stronger impact from person to person,”; Marrone said. “;You see Panos' campaign, and those people have moved to support Ann. ... all that has driven an undercurrent you may not see.”;