With a little more than a month before the deadline to run for public office, people have signaled their intent to challenge City Council Chairwoman Barbara Marshall and Councilman Romy M. Cachola.

While no one has formally registered to run, two people have picked up applications, which they must still fill out and file with the state Office of Elections before their names are placed on the ballot.

Leigh Prentiss of Kailua on June 2 pulled papers to run for Marshall's 3rd District council seat.

Prentiss, who ran against Marshall unsuccessfully in 2004, said she wants to stop the "proliferation of illegal vacation rentals" on the Windward side of O'ahu. She also wants to see a City Council that works together, rather than bickering, she said.

"Dissension only keeps us from moving forward on the things that really matter to us, such as our jobs, the cost of food, affordable housing, safe streets, alternate energy, clean ocean water and beach access to name just a few," said Prentiss, a retired retail manager.

Marshall represents Waimanalo, Kailua and most of Kane'ohe. She declined comment yesterday.

"While Leigh Prentiss has taken out papers to run against me, no one (including myself) has filed papers in this race," said Marshall, in an e-mail. "Until there actually is a contest, I believe answering your questions is premature."

Lynn Vasquez, a Kalihi resident, has declared her intent to challenge Cachola. She said that God inspired her to run for elected office.

"I'm an advocate for the homeless and the hungry. I see so many things happening in my area and there is nothing being done as far as I'm concerned," said Vasquez, who has lived in Kalihi her entire life. "I don't have money, but I have heart."

Cachola said despite the power of incumbency, he "will never underestimate any candidate."

"Every day is campaign day. I'll do the same thing I've been doing, which is work hard," said Cachola. "I've always been a hard campaigner."

In addition to Marshall and Cachola, three other council members — Nestor R. Garcia, Todd K. Apo and Ann H. Kobayashi — are up for re-election, as are Mayor Mufi Hannemann and city prosecutor Peter Carlisle.

Four challengers have taken out papers to challenge Hannemann but only one, Donovan D. Kambel, an Air Force veteran, has filed.