HILO, Hawai'i — For Hawai'i County mayoral candidate Billy Kenoi, expanding the Big Island's free bus service to benefit the elderly, workers and students is his top priority.

His opponent in Tuesday's general election, two-term County Councilman Angel Pilago, says his No. 1 priority is putting the right people in key positions in his administration.

Kenoi says the $25 million public transportation project would help alleviate traffic, and be funded by adding 2 cents to the gas tax.

Kenoi, 39, is an attorney who until last year served as executive assistant to Mayor Harry Kim. He enjoys the endorsement of the popular mayor who is unable to run again because of term limits. Kim hired Kenoi in 2007 to coordinate a plan to attack Hawai'i County's drug problem.

Pilago, 63, is vice chairman of the council, which he joined in 2004. Before that, he was an employment counselor with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for 18 years. Pilago is a Vietnam veteran who was awarded a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.

"Accountability stops at the very top," he said. "The mayor must take responsibility for things that don't get done on his watch."

Pilago has vowed to slash the county budget by 10 percent, or $40 million, during his first month in office.

Kenoi and Pilago are at odds over whether a proposed 30-meter telescope should join observatories atop Mauna Kea.

Pilago doesn't support the $1 billion project, saying it has no comprehensive community plan. "So far we only have a bunch of promises," he said.

Kenoi favors construction of the telescope provided it doesn't have any adverse environmental impacts and its planning is culturally sensitive.

He said the telescope could be used to inspire children to become proficient in math and science.

It would be the world's largest telescope, producing images three times as sharp as the Hubble Space Telescope. Another site in Chile is also under consideration.