MAYOR Mufi Hannemann has performed a remarkable feat over the past four years in steering Honolulu to a long-sought mass-transit system while filling potholes and moving the city forward on other avenues. He merits a second term, even though he probably will leave halfway through to seek higher office.

Hannemann's supporters should not be complacent about his re-election. Although he received 49.4 percent of the vote in September's preliminary election, comfortably ahead of City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, her total, combined with that of third-place finisher Panos Prevedouros, who has since endorsed her, came to within 1.5 percent of Hannemann.

The mayor's progress in moving toward a rail transit system is by far his top accomplishment. Battling a skeptical and divided City Council, he was able to win the approval that previous mayors had sought and failed to achieve. Whoever succeeds him in Honolulu Hale will be unable to turn back the rail plan.

Voters should not be fooled by the notion that Koba-yashi's election would lead to an elevated bus system to supplant rail. Such an attempt would exasperate federal officials who have tolerated Honolulu's stop-and-go transit proposals for decades. Hannemann's steady hand is needed to attract federal funds needed for this critical project while keeping other city functions on track.