U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, in his first jab at his potential rival for governor in 2010, said yesterday that Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann should put politics aside and concentrate on the city's multibillion-dollar rail project.

In a statement after Hannemann formed a new committee to raise money for a governor's campaign, the congressman said he and other supporters of the rail project have been relying on the mayor to get the project launched.

"Those of us who have fought tirelessly for rail transit have been relying on the mayor to see this project through to a successful start," Abercrombie said. "He has not finalized the environmental impact statement needed to get federal funding, and there are unresolved issues regarding cost, route, transit-oriented development, labor agreements and property impacts.

"The mayor owes it to the people of Honolulu to be crystal clear about his intentions. By forming his candidate committee, the mayor is leaving the rail project leaderless."

Elisa Yadao, a Hannemann volunteer, said Hannemann is "working very hard on making rail a reality and breaking ground by the end of the year." The mayor is on the Mainland for a U.S. Conference of Mayors event, a transit conference, and meetings with federal transit officials and potential campaign donors.

The mayor filed an organizational report yesterday with the state Campaign Spending Commission for The Hannemann Committee 2010, which will allow him to raise money for a Democratic primary campaign for governor. The committee's chairman is Dean Okimoto, the owner of Nalo Farms.

Hannemann has described the effort as an exploratory committee to distinguish himself from Abercrombie and other candidates who have announced their campaigns. But there is no exploratory committee provision of state campaign finance law, so Hannemann's organizational report is the same as the other candidates who say they are running for governor.

"This is, in fact, an exploratory committee," Yadao said of Hannemann's intent. "There are people out there working on behalf of a gubernatorial bid by Mufi Hannemann, and they are demonstrating that there is support for this bid.

"One of the ways that people show their support is by making a contribution."

Hannemann stressed last week when he informed his staff about the new committee that he wanted to continue to focus on his job as mayor and on the rail project. He does not have to resign as mayor to run for governor until the candidate filing deadline in July 2010.

Abercrombie will likely continue to portray Hannemann's political aspirations as a distraction to the rail project and other city issues. The congressman will also suggest that Hannemann might be looking at Washington Place as a stepping stone to the U.S. Senate.

In March, when he announced his campaign, Abercrombie said that the governor's office was not a stepping stone for him, and yesterday he made a commitment to fulfill his term if elected.

Abercrombie started his campaign early, by Hawai'i standards, so he could raise the estimated $3 million it could take to be competitive and to lock up endorsements. His campaign has picked up more than a dozen endorsements from union and trade associations.