Playing off the momentum of the anti-rail transit movement, a University of Hawai'i engineering professor declared his intent to challenge Mayor Mufi Hannemann during the upcoming election. Panos D. Prevedouros, a 47-year old tenured professor in UH's civil engineering department, said he will pay $50 to the state Office of Elections this week and take out nominating papers.

He said he will officially file on July 16. The deadline for candidates to file is July 22.

Backed by retired businessman Cliff Slater, taxi cab company owner Dale Evans, and the other organizers of the anti-rail effort, Prevedouros unveiled his campaign before more than two dozen supporters in front of Honolulu Hale this morning.

"I believe Honolulu needs a choice and some insist Honolulu needs a change in politics," said Prevedouros. "We have huge infrastructure issues. There is a lot of fixing to do and that is what I can do as a civil engineer. "

In addition to his opposition to the city's planned $3.7-billion fixed guideway project, Prevedouros said waste management, sewage treatment, tourism, and road repair are the issues he will run on, arguing the current administration has had too narrow a focus.

Supporters, many dressed in "Panos for Mayor, Let's Fix Oahu" T-shirts, carried signs touting caricatures of Hannemann and anti-rail slogans.

Hannemann said this is a "democracy" where anyone can run. Hannemann said he has a strong record to run on and looks forward to debating the issues.

"Anyone is free to run. Whether it's Panos or anyone else, the filing deadline is July 22," said Hannemann, speaking after a news conference announcing the new Honolulu Forever Young Awards. "He's going to have to stand on his past and his present. We have stuck to our promises and we have delivered on our promises."