Two weeks before the Nov. 4 general election, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi appeared separately at a forum yesterday, with the candidates painting their multibillion-dollar mass transit plans as the best option during the nation's economic crisis.

Hannemann, Kobayashi Talk Transit Plans

 

The mayor candidates were at the H1 H2 merge and Leeward College, where their competing transit plans were of huge interest.

 

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  Stressing their business management backgrounds, the candidates both emphasized the nation's grim economy and the potential negative trickle-down effect on Oahu.

“;That's why we worry about committing ourselves to a $6.5 billion project,”; said Kobayashi, referring to Hannemann's proposed rail transit system, which his administration estimates will cost $3.7 billion. “;Why spend that much money when we can accomplish the same thing for $2.5 billion? It's quite a difference and we don't want to be committing to spending money we don't have.”;

  Kobayashi's $2.5 billion mass transit plan, unveiled last week, would be a 40-mile line that includes a 15-mile elevated three-lane highway with zipper lanes and a hybrid express bus. Hannemann's plan is a 20-mile elevated steel rail line from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

“;We're not working on a plan, as my opponent is. We're already implementing a plan,”; Hannemann said. “;Whatever happens on Wall Street, we must be concerned about Main Street Honolulu. The rail transit system will pump out a lot of work.”;

The 90-minute forum was hosted by Leeward Community College in Pearl City and drew more than 150 students, faculty and supporters. Each candidate was asked the same three questions on mass transit, the economy and the island's only landfill, followed by questions from the audience.

The format didn't allow the candidates to interact with each other - with Kobayashi appearing first - and instead was more like a town hall meeting.

“;I wasn't going to vote,”; said Amanda Simpson, 21, of Kapolei. “;But after seeing both of them today, I decided to go with Mayor Hannemann. He's already in that position, he's doing a good job, and I think the whole rail system is a good idea.”;

Most students interviewed after the forum said their opinion on the rail transit system was the single biggest deciding factor in the race for mayor.

Orlino Caraang Jr., president of the Associated Students of University of Hawaii at Leeward Community College, said he supported former mayoral opponent Panos Prevedouros, who has since endorsed Kobayashi and was an integral part of her new mass transit plan.

“;Both mass transit projects are going to create more jobs,”; Caraang said. “;But if Ann Kobayashi's is less costly ... I support her.”;