With two weeks left until a crucial vote on the city's proposed $4 billion rail transit system, pro- and anti-rail forces are stepping up their advertising efforts that even have U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye weighing in.

Inouye appeared in television commercials that began airing over the weekend, pushing Oahu voters to approve the city's plans and telling viewers that this might be the “;last chance”; to build a rail transit system with federal financing.

“;We felt there was a need to counter some of the misinformation put out by the anti-rail people, as well as to show there are very responsible, credible people who are supporting the project,”; said Ron Taketa, financial secretary and business manager for the Hawaii Carpenters Union, which paid for the TV commercial featuring Inouye.

State campaign finance reports show that the Hawaii Carpenters Union, one of the state's largest unions, has spent at least $93,000 in advertisements supporting rail since June. Inouye also spoke in radio spots paid by the Pacific Resource Partnership, an organization that includes the Hawaii Carpenters Union.

On Nov. 4, Oahu voters will vote on Mayor Mufi Hannemann's planned elevated steel rail system - a decision that will determine whether the city will continue its goal of a groundbreaking in late 2009.

In recent weeks the city has launched several community meetings and advertisements on its system, while the most vocal anti-rail group, Stop Rail Now, continues to call press conferences denouncing the system.

“;They're rolling out the big guns, which suggest to us that the other side is scared right now,”; said Dennis Callan, co-chairman of Stop Rail Now. “;There is no real commitment from the federal government for the senator to claim that the money is there.”;

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., a ranking congressman, told Hawaii leaders that the system could receive up to $900 million in federal funds. However, that money would not come to the state until 2011 at the earliest.

Inouye, who has been a staunch supporter of rail and has successfully lobbied for federal funds, said yesterday it would be difficult for Hawaii to receive federal support should voters reject the system this year.

“;I won't say it's impossible, but if you miss this opportunity, you're not going to get it five years from now,”; Inouye said.

The rail transit system has been the most visible issue for the mayor's race with Hannemann pushing for his proposed system. His opponent, City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, presented last week a new proposal to build a three-lane elevated highway for zipper lanes and to implement a new “;rubber-tire bus on concrete system”; - a sleeker-looking express bus.

Inouye declined to endorse either candidate because they are both Democrats in the city's nonpartisan race, and said only that he supports rail transit.