Local Honolulu politics are heating up as Mayor Mufi Hannemann now will face an opposing candidate in his mayoral re-election race. Panos Prevedouros, a UH Engineering Professor that specializes in city planning and city engineering has stepped forward to run for office against Mufi. Prevedouros’ move comes after a “Draft Panos for Mayor” movement was recently launched.

Fueling the fire behind this match is none other than the Honolulu Rail project, the one issue that has driven Honolulu city politics for some time now. While both sides claim the other candidate is a one issue candidate the truth is that in this election the rail is the primary issue. No matter what the other candidate might say – that is just how it is. Smaller issues (smaller not in priority or importance but in attention) like taxes, city funding, failing sewage systems, the power grid, and archaic road systems exist as well, but realistically the candidates and the media are likely to focus on one thing, the Honolulu Rail project.

At a press conference earlier today Prevedouros announced:

It is my intent to run for mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. I am willing to put an 18-year career at UH in a state of hibernation right now. I believe that people really do need to have a choice and Oahu needs change.

Mufi’s response (other than the ‘one issue’ assertion) was interesting:

There are a lot of issues here that’s going to come to the forefront. If you’re going to step into the big arena, you have to perform.

Mr. Mayor… since when is the Mayor of Honolulu City and County spot the ‘big arena’? I think this job has gone to his head just a bit. Than again… this is the same mayor that believes the people shouldn’t have a say in how their tax dollars are spent or how their city is managed. Well at least this way there is a choice and people can choose one or the other. Choices are always good.