HONOLULU -- Supporters for a mass transit system for Honolulu Wednesday gave Gov. Linda Lingle an earful.

Honolulu City Council members also moved a step closer to hiking the excise tax from 4 percent to 4.5 percent for a new rail system.

Hundreds crowded into Honolulu Hale Wednesday to plead with the governor to allow the transit tax bill to become law.

---

Discussion: Transit | Taxes

---

"This is an opportunity for grassroots to be able to solve its problems and that is all we are asking for from the governor. Please give us a chance to solve our problems ourselves," U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said.

Abercrombie said the governor is jeopardizing the project and guaranteeing what he called "Lingle Lanes" of gridlocked traffic.

"No Lingle Lanes. Give us a chance to move our people from work to home and back home again,"

Supporters wore buttons that promised they would ride a transit system.

"I want the governor to know this is our last chance," Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said. "Traffic sucks. We need to spend time with our families. Quality of life is important."

Lingle said she refuses to be pressured.

"I feel they are directing their energy to the wrong place because my position is so clear. I said if the change isn't made, I would veto the bill. That's why it's on the veto list. So they know what action they have to take," Lingle said.

The governor wants the counties to collect the transit tax not the state.

Upstairs at Honolulu Hale, the council approved the second reading of the transit tax bill in a 7-2 vote, with Barbara Marshall and Charles Djou voting no.

Final approval of the transit tax bill is expected Aug. 10. The governor has until July 12 to veto the transit tax bill.

If the governor vetoes the bill, lawmakers are not expected to have the votes to override her veto because 19 house members voted against a transit tax authority earlier this year.