Leaders of several downtown Honolulu churches met yesterday with Mayor Mufi Hannemann in hopes of reviving a housing project for the chronically homeless stalled by community opposition.

“;Nobody wants the homeless in their back yard,”; said Hawaii Catholic Bishop Larry Silva. “;We don't, either. That's why we want to provide them a home.”;

Silva and representatives of Buddhist and Christian groups gave the mayor a 3,000-signature petition urging the city not to abandon the plan for the 100-unit River Street Residences on city land at River Street and Vineyard Boulevard.

After the Downtown Honolulu Neighborhood Board opposed the idea in a July vote, the city administration said it would not proceed.

In January the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the administration to establish a special area plan for Chinatown that “;gives the community a chance to describe the characteristics of their community,”; said its author, Council member Rod Tam, whose district includes Chinatown.

The petition presented yesterday is the latest salvo in an exchange that has seen recent newspaper advertisements in the daily papers voicing the churches' support versus Chinatown residents and businesses' opposition.

Silva said they recognize they must persuade others in the community and need to sell the idea as an “;affordable housing solution.”; The clergymen, who also represent the United Methodist Church and Episcopal denominations, Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple and New Life Church, an evangelical Christian congregation, want to present their case to lawmakers, the neighborhood board and business groups. Silva said that Tam has refused to meet with them to hear their view.

Opponents say that the project will attract people who drive away business or frighten residents in an area already beleaguered with a large population of homeless people.

“;The tactics they are using is misleading,”; said Albert Lui, of the Chinese Buddhist Association, whose 300 members meet in a temple at the Chinese Cultural Plaza. “;Similar housing projects already exist in the Chinatown area ... but they're full and the waiting lists are long, over 200 people on the list.”;

Neighborhood board Chairman Frank Lavoie said the organization supported an original proposal for low-income housing.

“;When they changed it to provide housing for mentally ill, we voted against it,”; he said. “;There are schools, cultural groups, residences in the area, and when you stick people with drug and addiction problems there, it is not a smart idea.”;

Lavoie, a restaurant owner, said, “;Most of the residents were opposed to it. Most of those who support it were not residents. We want a plan for Chinatown, not these random ideas without long-term planning.”;

Francis Oda of New Life Church said the proponents will accentuate “;the positive side of any kind of housing like this,”; adding, “;It will accommodate children and families. What a blessing it would be for Chinatown to have more housing where families can be healthy.”;

Oda said his congregation, which meets in a former theater at Nuuanu Avenue and Beretania Street, includes people who have used drugs, been homeless and been in prison. “;The beauty is that they are no longer homeless, in prison or on drugs. These are now contributing citizens and very committed people. They've gone through the worst ... and their level of generosity and commitment are amazing.”;