Mayor On Oahu Transit: It's Steel Or Nothing

HONOLULU -- Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said Thursday that he would pull the plug on the proposed transit system in Oahu if it is not steel-on-steel technology.

The mayor has long argued that the steel-on-steel systems common in other cities are the safest and least expensive choice for Honolulu. He said that recent studies only confirmed that and that the council might as well stop debating the issue.

"I'll be the first one to say we are not doing rail. I'll come right out and say 'Cease and desist,'" Hannemann said. "I will not put this city in a position of financial disaster, and I will pull the plug if it's not steel-on-steel. I'll pull the plug."

The mayor said he has the votes to enforce his declaration. Council members concede that he does as well, but said they are responding to the public's uncertainty about the choice of technology for the rail system.

"He's been waiting just for the right excuse, and I guess he found one, so he is moving forward," council member Ann Kobayashi said.

The council is scheduled to try and vote again on transit technology next week. The mayor said the council should not bother, because more debate would only give the legislature and Congress an excuse to pull financial support.