UH professor to put career on hold to challenge for mayor

» Battle lines on transit drawn across Internet

Panos Prevedouros, a University of Hawaii engineering professor and one of the most vocal critics of the city's planned $4 billion rail transit system, says he intends to run for mayor.

At a news conference yesterday in front of Honolulu Hale with about two dozen supporters -- mostly anti-rail advocates -- Prevedouros said he will challenge Mayor Mufi Hannemann's re-election bid this year in what had appeared to be an uncontested race.

"It is my intent to run for mayor of the City and County of Honolulu," Prevedouros said. "I am willing to put an 18-year career at UH in a state of hibernation right now. I believe that people really do need to have a choice and Oahu needs change."

Prevedouros has not filed papers with the state Elections Office. The deadline is July 22.

Following Prevedouros' announcement, Hannemann called him a "one-issue candidate" and said he looks forward to debating him when he becomes an official candidate.

"There are a lot of issues here that's going to come to the forefront," Hannemann told reporters. "If you're going to step into the big arena, you have to perform."