Concerned citizens of Honolulu should ask themselves: “What is Mayor Hannemann's
rush to break ground for the rail transit system in 2009, even so much as
to bypass the EIS and any federal funding for a 6 mile system from
Kapolei to Waipahu that has absolutely no purpose?"
Particularly when
just recently the Hawaii Superferry demonstrated that even though there
is no environmental damage, the lack of an Environmental Impact Statement can stop an otherwise good project. Surely the Sierra Club that single handedly brought the Super
Ferry to a stop will be filing a court challenge against the elevated rail since
it’s environmental damage is a certainty.
To determine why the Honolulu City Council and Mayor would spend $971,000,000 in
2009 for a useless 6-mile system, one has to see what will happen in
2010.
Two obvious events will occur in 2010 that have politicians
demanding that contracts be let for rail in 2009-the Governor's race and
the Mayor's race.
Rail supporters stand to make large fortunes from their contracts
regardless of what year it starts but it is of little use to prospective
Governor Hannemann and prospective Mayor and current council chair Todd
Apo if these contracts were delayed to 2011 when the EIS would be
completed and when it is expected that the federal transit authority
might reveal the amount they intend to provide for a new start in
Honolulu.
Breaking ground in 2009 means that rail contracts will have
been let, mostly for the highly paid engineers and consultants but also
for the thousands of union construction workers who are currently
sidelined due to lack of work.
To win any political race in 2010 you need money and volunteers. Make the
rail contracts in 2009 and both will soon follow.
Since the city is building the least commuter needed section of rail
first, the one at the end of the line that connects Kapolei to Waipahu
where there are no jobs and no traffic congestion why does The Rail have
to be elevated? Rail will begin and end in mostly empty lots, both
Kapolei and Waipahu are low rise and could easily accommodate a light
rail like Portlands’ MAX that runs at ground level at about 30% the cost
of high in the sky rails and terminals.
The obvious reason is that there
is more money for engineers, consultants and construction workers if you
build the more expensive elevated rail and plenty of political support
from developers like D.R. Horton who is building the 11,000 home project
of Hoopili in Waipahu and has a terminal in it‘s development suitable for
Transit Oriented Development. It’s simple math, more contracts at higher
costs equals more money available for better campaign contributions and
more volunteers.
The Rail has never been about reducing traffic congestion or improving
the quality of life for Leeward residents. The Rail has always been about
satisfying the big egos for politicians more interested in their
political futures than the futures of their constituents.
Breaking ground in 2009 proves that regardless of environmental concerns or the
bankrupting of Honolulu county taxpayers, Rail will start. Can we afford
$1,000,000,000 to satisfy politicians ambitions for 2010?
Garry Smith is an Ewa Beach resident who can be reached at mailto:garrypsmith@juno.com
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