The governor has already signed the anti-rail petition. Now the Lt. Governor is going one step further. Duke Aiona wants the city council to skip the petition process and put the transit question on the ballot themselves.

It's the most expensive project in state history. So the Lt. Governor says it's only fair for the public to be able to vote on it but it's been difficult to get done.

The petition problem comes down to one word, ‘special’ instead of 'general.' That is the technicality that the city clerk says is keeping the stop rail now question from making it on to the ballot in the general election this November. But now Lt. Governor Duke Aiona says regardless of the petition the people should be allowed to vote on the transit plan.

"I am calling upon the members of the city council to be the leaders you've been elected for and to place on the November ballot, the November election the question that is being called for right now on this petition," said Lt. Governor Aiona.

The Lt. Governor lives in Kapolei, a main area that would be serviced by the transit. Still he says he isn't sure about the $5 billion investment and says the city should want the people to have a vote.

"The mayor should say I have no problem with it, in fact he said it if I’m not mistaken, he said he has no problem with initiatives and referendums on this issue, well then put it on," said Lt. Governor Aiona.

"I'll wait to see whether the council wants to take this up and we'll see if we can find common ground," said Mufi Hannemann, Honolulu Mayor.

City law says the council can add questions to the ballot up to 90 days before the election. To do so six of the nine councilmember’s would have to approve it in three separate votes. Councilman Rod Tam does not think that’s possible. He is a rail supporter and says he would vote against putting the issue on the ballot.

"I'm surprised the Lt. Governor is getting involved in city matters,” said Tam. "We all like to see in terms of public getting involved but I don't think the Lt. Governor fully understands the process of the city council."

Even if the city council managed to get the votes to put the transit question on the ballot the mayor could still veto it. He said he'd wait and see if he'd keep the question off the ballot.

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