HONOLULU -- It appears the Honolulu City Council will repeal the 13-year-old law that requires mandatory leasehold conversion. Honolulu's Mayor-elect Mufi Hannemann supports that move.

Large land trusts and small landowners were at Honolulu Hale Wednesday to support the repeal, saying they should not be forced to sell their land.

Leasehold apartment owners already in the process of converting their units to fee simple say they should be allowed to finish.

Earlier in the day, Councilman Charles Djou introduced a compromise to postpone the repeal for a year.

"I think it is not unreasonable to give an opportunity for individuals who would like to complete the lease-to-fee conversion to give them one more year to wrap things up," Djou said.

Apartment owners at six buildings, including the Kahala Beach, Admiral Thomas and Makiki Manor are in the process of trying to convert to fee simple.