HONOLULU -- For the second time in a week, the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday night could not select the type of rail technology for Oahu's multibillion-dollar transit project.

The council voted 4 to 4 on a motion to reconsider the technology issue.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann favors steel wheels on steel rail. He said he plans to move forward with that option no matter what the council does.

The ninth council member, Barbara Marshall, was absent again because of a family emergency.

Council members debated for another five hours on Wednesday, but failed to select a technology.

"Let's just junk this entire system," Councilman Charles Djou said.

"In my mind, it's very clear that we have the right project -- a fixed guideway project, and we have the right technology, steel-on-steel," Councilman Gary Okino said.

"We're still reserving our right to select the technology. We've never given that up," Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi said.

The council has been debating rail technology for months -- steel wheels, magnetically levitated trains or rubber tires.

In February, a city appointed expert panel recommended steel-on-steel, saying it was the least expensive and most reliable option. The mayor has said it will be steel on steel or nothing.

"The mayor's proceeding without the council's support, he's proceeding without the community's support," Djou said.

The council waited for Chairwoman Barbara Marshall to arrive to be the tie-breaking vote. However, the council was forced to move ahead without her and ended up in a deadlock as it did last week.

"This is a mess, pure and simple. There's no way to look about it. It's a pure, complete mess," Djou said.

"There's still a majority of this council that's in favor of a mass transit project. Yes, there's differences on details," Acting Council Chairman Todd Apo said. "So, now we keep proceeding. The council still has the ability to make a technology selection."

The council has less than 90 days to make that selection.

The next council meeting is set for May 7.