Preserving rural agricultural lands and trimming the city's operating budget are dominating the discussion between the two candidates vying for the City Council seat held by Barbara Marshall.

Marshall, 64, is battling colon cancer and was unable to attend yesterday's City Council meeting, but says she's ready to run and capable of maintaining her post.

"I love my district. I have lived in District 3, in the same house, since 1979. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson live with us. Everything I do at the city affects them as well as the other 100,000 wonderful residents of this best council district on the Island," said Marshall, who is the council chairwoman. "It takes time to learn how best to weave one's way through the morass that is government and really get things done, and I really want the chance to continue to make headway on the problems — large and small."

Wilson K. Ho, 66, a Vietnam veteran and chairman of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board, and Leigh Prentiss, 61, a retired sales associate who ran unsuccessfully against Marshall in 2004, are challenging her.

In addition to clamping down on government spending and preserving land, Prentiss said she would like to stop the proliferation of vacation rentals.

Ho said he would like to re-design roads in Waimanalo to make it safe for children crossing the street on their way to the beach.

If any candidate captures 50 percent of the ballots plus one additional vote in the Sept. 20 primary, he or she will win the seat outright. If no candidate achieves that vote total, the two top finishers will face off in the Nov. 4 general election.

CITY BUDGET

All three candidates want to whittle away at the city's $1.9 billion operating budget without jeopardizing public safety or core city services. The soaring cost of housing and living in Hawai'i complicates matters by shrinking the revenue base while increasing property tax bills.

"As we move into tighter economic times, with declining revenues for the city, experience becomes even more important in the city budgeting process," Marshall said.

Ho, who retired after 30 years in the retail banking division of American Savings Bank, said the district and the state are facing the "decline of the economy in our communities with the loss of companies, jobs and the overwhelming challenges to keep ahead of our debts."

Prentiss said there are ways to reduce the city's operating costs while planning for a stagnant economy.

"I do feel there are some places where things can be reduced," Prentiss said. "I do have some business experience and familiarity with construction and building a budget."

ENVIRONMENT

All three candidates said the city needs to work with the state and private developers to preserve agricultural lands, especially in Waimanalo and other rural areas in the district.

Efforts to integrate sustainable practices into basic city services is necessary to preserve Hawai'i's habitat, they've said.

"District 3 faces many of the same issues facing others across the island ... (including) preserving natural resources and our precious agricultural land," Marshall said.

Ho said he and others have been successful at preventing "gentleman estates" from being built in areas that should be maintained for farming.

Prentiss said there is a need to promote and develop renewable energy sources while keeping farmers working.

"We need to sustain our current environment (with) urban growth boundaries," Prentiss said. "We must protect our streams and we need to promote renewable energy sources while keeping the farmers on the land."