HONOLULU -- The two top Democrats who are expected to face off in the primary for Hawaii governor had dueling union endorsements on Tuesday.

One of the state's largest private sector unions endorsed Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann for governor despite Hannemann's refusal to declare himself a candidate. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said Hannemann, a Democrat, is the man for the job.

The mayor said the endorsement brings him a step closer to a campaign.

"Mufi has the vision, the ability to put Hawaii back on the right track," ILWU Local 142 President Isaac Fiesta said.

"I pledge to them that I will work very hard to prove that this endorsement is the right one," Hannemann said.

Although Hannemann looks and sounds like a candidate, the mayor said he is not yet ready to declare himself an official candidate for governor.

"I still don't feel that the time is right and appropriate to put my personal agenda ahead of the business of the people," the mayor said.

The ILWU said it met separately with the candidates. The leaders said it was a difficult decision deciding who to back -- former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie or Hannemann.

When KITV asked the union "What if Mufi doesn't run?"

"They won't have to cross that bridge," Hannemann answered.

Meanwhile, Abercrombie on Tuesday urged Hannemann to remain Honolulu's mayor to see the rail project through.

"When you take responsibility for something you see it through. I believe in that instance it holds particularly true for rail," Abercrombie said.

Abercrombie said leaving the project to someone else could put the state's largest public works project in history at risk.

"It's very difficult for me to see how in the time that will be required for the mayor to resign that anything can get started at all," Abercrombie said.

Abercrombie on Tuesday picked up the endorsement of the three Hawaii-based locals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers labor union. The union leaders said Abercrombie's commitment to restoring the state's economy and restoring jobs swayed them.

"He's also expressed to us that he's committed to fulfilling the whole eight years if he can. that's really important to us, too. because how can you plan the future if you don't know what the future is going to be?" IBEW Local 1290 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Lance Miyake said.

Hawaii's Republican Party Chairman Jonah Ka'auwai said the union endorsements for the Democratic candidates "do not come free. Union-endorsed candidates are beholden to the agenda of special interests rather than the interest of the people."

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and Honolulu lawyer John Carroll are the Republican candidates.