HONOLULU -- Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi surprised many when she jumped in just before the deadline to run for Honolulu mayor.

She left behind her safe, unopposed council seat.

"Instead I decided to run against an incumbent who has nearly $3 million in his war chest, but I just had to do it. I was worried about the way the finances were being run in the city," Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi is concerned about Mayor Mufi Hannemann's proposed $3.7 billion elevated rail system, his technology choice and how much it will cost taxpayers to operate in the future.

"We have been asking that question for about two years. Finally on Aug. 20 the administration said, 'We will have to increase the property tax to meet the cost of operation and maintenance,'" Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi has been a lawmaker for 20 years, serving in both the state Senate and the Honolulu City Council.

Kobayashi said her leadership style would be different than Hannemann's, which she called confrontational.

"I am not confrontational and I would never bully people into doing things. I am not using this as a stepping-stone. I am not looking at leaving a legacy," Kobayashi said.

Hannemann has said in the past if the opportunity arises he might run for another office in 2010, but Kobayashi said she will serve a full term.

"I will be staying for the full four years. No one can stay less with this $6 billion project. You can't just charge and leave the bills for future generations," Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi said she would bring leadership skills she learned in the Legislature and the council to make Honolulu a better place to live.