More than half the residents who submitted written comments to the city about a proposed Honolulu mass-transit system said they support a rail project in hopes that it will alleviate gridlock on O'ahu's roadways.

But residents also expressed concerns that an elevated system would obstruct the view and that land would have to be condemned to build the rail system, and suggested that transit routes should be revised to include Honolulu International Airport and other densely populated areas of the island.

Jerry D. Greer said the rail system should run along a route that makes it as accessible to as many people as possible. "I believe it is necessary to choose a system that meets all of these requirements: safety, environmentally friendly and easily accessible," he said.

While the city is bound to consider mass transit alternatives, the solution is expected to center on a rail system.

In nearly 200 written statements released yesterday by the city, residents expressed support, concerns and suggestions about a rail system, which will likely be made of one of three technologies — light rail, monorail or magnetic levitation — and run between Kapolei and Manoa along one of four routes.

The written comments were collected during two meetings held at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Dec. 13 and at Kapolei Middle School on Dec. 14 and will be used by city planners to develop the mass-transit system. The meetings were part of a federally required process for all mass transit projects that hope to receive federal money.

About 400 people attended the Blaisdell meeting, and 150 to 200 people attended the Kapolei meeting, according to the city.

The city's timetable calls for coming up with one preferred alternative by next December and having a completed draft environmental impact statement by early 2007. Construction on the new transit project could begin as early as 2009, city officials have said.

City officials have approved a 12.5 percent increase in the general excise tax to help pay for the project, which by some estimates could cost as much as $2.8 billion. The tax increase goes into effect in January 2007.

More than half of the comments were in support of a rail system and included specific suggestions. Of the comments received, many residents also supported the use of buses to feed passengers into rail hubs. Some questioned whether a rail system will even be able to reduce traffic.

Many residents are optimistic about the rail system, while others wrote they are willing to try anything to help alleviate traffic problems.

Made Brunner supports a fixed-rail system mainly because traffic coming from West O'ahu is so bad. "There is no alternative for commuters along the east-west corridor to travel if H-1 should be shut down for any particular reason," Brunner said.

But Paul Biggs said he is not convinced that people would give up use of their cars even if a rail system were built. "Will any type of transit system address the fundamental incentives for driving?" he said.

Other residents were concerned less about whether rail would work and more about which of the various technologies and route options were the best.

Jason Chun said he would like to see an elevated rail system that would give tourists and residents a good view of the island. "I loved riding the monorail in Tokyo to get a good view of the city," he said.

However, a relatively large portion of the residents who submitted comments were against elevated routes. Sandy Moneymaker wrote: "To build anything over head/elevated would be an environmental sin. ... Open space and the beauty of the island is what brings visitors and we know we cannot live without them." She said she supports street-level rail.

All four of the proposed routes would be an elevated, fixed-guideway rail line beginning in Kapolei through downtown Honolulu and ending in Manoa. In between, however, they all follow different corridors at certain points.

Residents were mixed on which of the four routes would be best. But several residents wrote that routes that connect to Honolulu International Airport, Central O'ahu, Hawai'i Kai and Diamond Head should also be explored.

Most residents had no opinion about any of the three rail options — light rail, monorail or magnetic levitation. The majority of those who did expressed opinions similar to that of state Rep. Kimberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, West Loch) who wrote: "Please use the quietest technology possible."

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.