HONOLULU -- Mayor Mufi Hannemann delivered a speech on Thursday to an invitation-only crowd of mostly pro-transit business and community leaders about the state of Oahu's rail project.

The event was taped for broadcast on the new merger group of KHNL, KFVE and KGMB.

Courtesy invites went out to lawmakers and City Council members although only a handful attended.

The speech began with video of the mayor on a virtual ride on the transit system.

The speech outlined the genesis of rail in Honolulu over the last four decades, leading up to this point of time as the city plans for the historic groundbreaking and the work on the system that Oahu will soon see.

"Early next year, we will start relocating underground utilities and preparing of sites for our guideway columns. We will be drilling foundations and erecting concrete columns at several locations so you can follow the path of the guideway," Hannemann said.

His message was that rail is on track. However, Hannemann said while he would prefer the city break ground by the year's end he is willing to delay the groundbreaking by a month. He underscored what is at stake.

"The longer we delay the money will go away. The longer the greater the economic disarray," Hannemann said. "Another 30 days takes us into January but keep in mind our legislative session starts in January that is why I point out clearly and bluntly that there are some in the state Legislature who would love to take this money away, and there are some in the state administration who would want to take this away, but I think we have laid a clear and convincing case why the money should stay where it is to build a project, to create jobs."

Hannemann spent about $10,000 to produce and televise the speech. While some have questioned the necessity of the speech, he maintains it is money well spent.