We're encouraged by state Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka's pledge that his and other state agencies will cooperate fully on the city's rail transit project (”;Gathering Place,”; Star-Bulletin, Dec. 21).

This is the most definitive indication of support we've received from the state regarding this project, and we've long been concerned about the mixed signals we've received.

While Morioka and his DOT have been very helpful working with us on engineering aspects, Gov. Linda Lingle and others have been less than fully supportive, so it is quite a stretch to claim that state government in general has been “;extremely cooperative.”;

Let's not forget that Lingle signed the petition advanced by the Stop Rail Now group, Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona supported their efforts and Lingle publicly stated that she voted against rail. Lingle earlier threatened to veto the bill that authorized the City Council to create the general excise tax surcharge that made the entire project possible. Though she later allowed the bill to become law without her signature, Lingle made it difficult for the city to collect the surcharge.

Although we are making progress, the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources is taking time to work out the details of a commitment to providing land in the vicinity of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu so that a rail station can be integrated with the new campus. Similarly, we hope that the proposed land swap for the old Navy Drum site will proceed with speed and diligence.

We believe that a cooperative relationship like the one that exists between the city's Department of Transportation Services and the DOT would benefit the people of Oahu the most. The two agencies work cooperatively in many modes of transportation, from traffic signals to bikeways, and from traffic cameras to roadways interfaces. Let's see if we can accomplish this for a major effort such as the rail project as well.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann assured his support for state capital improvement projects when the state recently began working to speed up its efforts. We're encouraged that the governor recognizes that cooperation between all levels of government is key to revitalizing the economy.

Rather than engage in finger-pointing, we hope Morioka will succeed in persuading Lingle to finally get on board with rail transit, which promises to be the most important economic stimulus anywhere in Hawaii for the next decade. The project will provide thousands of jobs at a time when Hawaii sorely needs them, while adding an environmentally friendly alternative to clogged freeways as our state continues to grow and prosper. We look forward to closer collaboration on rail transit and other important issues.