That's the mayoral candidate's solution to Oahu's traffic problems. Her campaign provided images that show a proposed 15-mile, 3-lane elevated highway with 2 zipper lanes and one lane for buses. Kobayashi estimates her transit system will cost between $2.5 to $3 billion, compared to Mayor Mufi Hannemann's $6.5 billion steel wheel on steel rail plan.

"It's 60 percent more economical than Mufi's train," Kobayashi said.

Once commuters get into town, Kobayashi envisions an underpass to ease traffic there. Her plan calls for an underpass or a mini tunnel. The tunnel would start at Ala Moana Blvd. and east of River St. It would end at Alakea and Halekauwila streets. Kobayashi says, this is a reversible tunnel so in the evening time, downtown traffic will be contra-flowed back through the tunnel.

"I call this a flip, a flop, and another flip," said rail supporter Kirk Caldwell. He thinks Kobayashi's 11th hour plan is simply a political move to garner votes from people who supported Panos Prevedouros for mayor.

Prevedouros is now Kobayashi's senior advisor on infrastructure. Caldwell also wonders where the $2.5 billion would come from.

"It's a false alternative," said Caldwell. "There is no federal money for this type of project." He continued, "In addition, you can't use any of the excise tax increase. We were very clear at the legislature that this 1/2 percent increase was to go to one thing. That was a mass transit rail type system, not highways and buses."

Mayor Hanneman says Kobayashi's plan is one of the worst and poorly thought out ideas he's heard. He questions why she now supports a transit plan she opposed in the past as a city council member.

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