The race is on and with 10 mayoral candidates on the ballot for September’s primary election.

Three candidates are considered to be front runners, each with strong opinions regarding mass transit.

Some candidates running for mayor say they disagree with the decisions of the current administration and decided to run because its time for a change.

With only two and a half hours left to spare Honolulu City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi filed her nomination papers for Honolulu Mayor Tuesday.

“When I walk around outside people are coming up to thank me for running I mean its amazing it's the first time I've been in a campaign like this,” Ann Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi joins the race in the midst of a heated debate regarding Oahu's proposed mass transit system.

“I am anti steel on steel and you know rail is not the only answer,” Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi says she disagrees with Mayor Mufi Hannemann regarding transit technology and she supports giving the public the chance to vote on the issue.

“We should encourage people to vote to participate in government,” Kobayashi said.

Also in the race U.H. Professor Panos Prevedouros, who is also opposed to rail, he says with Ann Kobayashi in the running that could toss incumbent Mufi Hannemann out of office.

“Having Ann Kobayashi in the race is a beautiful thing, I have worked with her synergistically and there is a very good chance we can have a change in administration when you have a three way race,” Panos Preverdouros said.

“I think there is a very good chance that maybe even Mufi will be out of the race and it will be Ann versus Panos,” Preverdouros said.

Despite concern that Prevedouros and Kobayashi will split the 'anti-rail' vote...he says he will continue in the race.

“Before September 20, no way. We are going to go all the way and actually I am convinced that I have a lot of support that I could actually make it to be the mayor in November,” Preverdouros said.

Meanwhile Mayor Mufi Hannemann a staunch supporter of rail says he welcomes those who challenge him even Councilwoman Kobayashi.

“Nothing in this world surprises me you know and I welcome anyone who wants to run. We are in this race to win and I respect all 9 other candidates that are there I treat them all the same I look with them with equal favor,” Hannemann said.

Mufi Hannemann made a jump start on the campaign trail celebrating his birthday with thousands of supporters.

“We are in a race my friends and September 20th is the deadline,” Hannemann said.

The deadline for voters to register for the primary election is Thursday, August 21 and October 6 for the general election.