U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye responded Friday to the transportation plan put forth by former governor and current Honolulu mayoral candidate Ben Cayetano.

Inouye says that it has taken seven years for the Honolulu Rail Transit project to reach this final phase of review.

"I have every confidence that we will be able to obtain a Full Funding Grant Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration, including Congressional review, before the end of the year," said Inouye.  "The people of West Oahu have waited long enough."

Inouye also says that Cayetano's bus rapid transit plan would force Honolulu to the back of the line, adding years upon years of continued traffic gridlock.

"Governor Cayetano does not understand that the precious $1.55 billion for Honolulu rail is not transferable but will go back to the federal government.  His plan has no assurance of federal funding, and it will require a federal environmental impact statement, and a detailed examination by the FTA," said Inouye.  "Finally, Governor Cayetano’s claim that his proposal will cost only $1.1 billion appears to have little analytical support; it is an estimate that the FTA will approach with great skepticism."