Just got off the phone with Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie‘s spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz, who had some thoughts to share about her boss’s (non-) role in the Honolulu mayor’s race.

Both Ben Cayetano and Kirk Caldwell played up their relationships with Abercrombie in separate press conferences today. Dela Cruz said the governor would work with whomever wins the race, but acknowledged that he has a longstanding friendship with Cayetano.

“They have shared a friendship from the ’70s,” she said. “The governor won’t be involved in the race, nor will he stop being friends with Ben Cayetano.”

What does Abercrombie think about Cayetano’s plan to stop the rail project in its tracks and instead move forward with bus rapid transit via dedicated freeway lanes?

Dela Cruz said Abercrombie would evaluate any new proposal put forward by the city should it require state assistance or approval, but wouldn’t be able to comment on Cayetano’s proposal now. She noted that Abercrombie doesn’t have a role in moving the rail project forward at this point.

“The governor has been supportive of a rail system for many years,” she said.