Jeremy C. Reed wrote:
> 
> Maybe edit the init.c code to do some fprintf(stderr,...) at different
> places with some debugging notes to let you know where you are.
> 

OK, I figured out that init is starting in single user mode because is is told to.

    while ((c = getopt(argc, argv, "sf")) != -1)
        switch (c) {
	case 's':
            requested_transition = single_user;
	    break;

The flag is being set to -s. Who, where, and why? (looking in kernel code, though I know not where).