In 2011, officials in Honolulu, Hawaii began construction on a controversial 20-mile rail project partly because of almost $1.8 billion in federal subsidies to President Barack Obama’s home state. The project’s total cost estimate stands at $5.3 billion, but if other similar projects are any indication, the final price tag will increase dramatically before anyone even gets to buy a ticket. What’s playing out in the Aloha State is happening all over the country.
“This rail project is our bridge to nowhere”, says University of Hawaii law professor Randall Roth. “We are convinced that it will be billions of dollars over budget and we think they will try to get the federal government to bail them out.”
Hawaii has some of the worst congestion and roads in the country and studies consistently rank its major city, Honolulu, among the worst cities for traffic. The INRIX Index has estimated that Honolulu drivers waste an average of 58 hours in traffic every year during peak travel times.
Yet there’s no reason to believe the Honolulu’s rail project will do anything to improve traffic congestion. In fact, it’s likely to divert resources from more-affordable solutions.
“The one thing about these projects [is that] they are very inviting politically,” says former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano.
Along with Cliff Slater of Honolulutraffic.com and University of Hawaii’s Roth, Cayetano has filed a federal lawsuit against the rail project that’s held up construction.
They claim the city misled the public about the total cost of the project and didn’t deliver fully on a required review of alternative solutions to a rail line.
Panos Prevedouros, one of the state’s leading transportation experts, says the rail plan that the feds approved will siphon off state funding for the area’s bus system.
The project’s own report, which Prevedouros says is filled with overly optimistic estimates of rail ridership, still shows that Honolulu’s congestion will be worse in the future with rail.
“The point of doing any cost effective type of analysis is out of the window,” says Panos, “the benefits are not there.”
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered an expedited hearing for the federal rail lawsuit on August 15th.
Go here for Reason Foundation analysis of mass transit.
Produced by Sharif Matar. Camera by Matar and Zach Weissmueller.
About 8 minutes.
From where I sit, the train is a great idea that will relieve some of the horrible traffic problems in Honolulu. For God sake, Honolulu's traffic in unreasonably bad given the size of the city. I don't see any of the critics offering any better ideas.
Except our own studies in Honolulu show that this rail will NOT significantly improve traffic as the stations aren't being placed in useful locations. No station at the University, which is one of the top reason for congestion on our freeways.
Hey R Robbins, read the Rail projects own data on traffic relief. This rail project will do little to alleviate traffic. That is from their own data which is most certainly over optimistic about traffic relief. Still think the train to nowhere is a good idea?
Seems like a somewhat partisan piece. I frankly don't see what this has to do with Obama either. I would agree that the critics don't offer much of a solution, nor does the article for that matter. I just think we need a rail system AND other technological means and structural changes to address what is a complex issue. The article falls WAY short on that score as well.
Well its a partisan piece because it was sourced from reason.com, a known right-wing website. That said, Im a Democrat and I think this rail project is terrible. Terrible planning, terrible execution, and the taxpayers were completely mislead the entire way.
To clarify it further, Reason is Libertarian, which is not Right Wing or Left. Libertarians take the best of both and add more freedom overall to the mix.
This editorial is a classic right wing political hit-piece, nothing more. It further over-simplifies, politicizes and polarizes this issue and clarifies nothing. I mean look at the cartoon. Obama is involved how? Not at all, aside from the usual whacko conspiracy angle as usual. The "Bus mo bettah" is absurd. I've watched this issue knocked around since the 1990's and all the bickering is what has stopped it from ever happening. Honolulu desperately needs a modern, efficient transportation system and has for many, many years. I don't know how well this is planned or what, but denying that fact is living in an alternate reality. If the bus was "mo bettah", then this discussion wouldn't be happening.
How is Obama involved? He talks about infrastructure projects all the time and mentions rail specifically. Do you listen to his speeches? He is a big spending liberal who never saw a government spending program he didn't like. Where do you think the federal matching funds come from you moron? This project would never be funded if republicans were in power. The federal government will borrow 100% of the money needed to fund this project. That is how Obama is involved. No Obama, No Rail in Hawaii. Furthermore, If Hawaii needs a "modern, efficient transportation system", then why are they using 19th century fixed rail technology? This is pork barrell spending at its worst.
Moron? Very nice way to debate. I know where the matching funds come from. But this started before Obama was even elected. I have no problem with a publicly funded program that is money well-spent which is certainly questionable in this case. I don't say it isn't. I'm not saying this is the ideal modern rail system, I stated it as an over-arching principle. Maybe this is the best that can be achieved here for the price. You're putting words in my mouth…and calling ME a moron? Hmmm. why can you not be civil and avoid name-calling? When people do that, I sense weakness in their argument because personal insults are a diversion. Anyway, the money comes FROM CONGRESS, who have the power of the purse. This is an internal matter for Hawaii, not your broader ideological issues with "big-spending liberals" and Obama. The fact remains that Honolulu needs a system that is modern in spite of your introduction of your favorite ideological boogeymen. And thanks for reminding everyone how unhelpful republicans are with infrastructure.
Congress funds 1.3 billion of the 7 billion plus needed for this con job.
Even Mufi stated this @ his website; mufihannemann.com
When does an over-arching principle transform into a mess?
BTW, Mufi was the one who neglected infrastructure for personal contracts….to pay you John?
Here's fact at; https://www.khon2.com/2013/06/19/budget-spat-puts-…
Cannot be libertarian. The prof. is a government worker!
Here is why Obama is relevant to this issue. He talks about infrastructure projects all the time and mentions rail specifically. Does anyone actually listen to what Obama says? He loves big government spending programs. Remember the 700 billion stimulus plan? Where do you think the federal matching funds come from? This project would never be funded if Republicans were in power. No federal matching funds, No Rail….Period. That is how Obama is involved.
Of course the article is partisan! The people who wrote it are opposed to the rail project. They take a partisan position. Some of these Partisans, by the way are Democrats.
Well perhaps the Republican's today who've been fooled into thinking that rail is a bad idea might not fund it. Although half the opposition right now in Congress has nothing to do with rail being good or bad, the opposition exists simply because the other party is doing it and getting credit for it.
But Republicans have long been supporters of rail in the past. It was Republican President Ronald Reagan who created the Mass Transit Fund which is used even today to fund projects like the one being discussed here. And it was Republican President George H W Bush who's White House designated the first 5 HSR lines back in 1992. That included the line in California, as well as the line in Florida.
And in 1998, it was the Republican controlled Congress who passed TEA-21 (Transit Equity Act). TEA-21 set the current funding rules for projects like the one being discussed. Additionally it gave President Bill Clinton permission to designate another 6 HSR lines.
Down in Florida where that State's Republican Governor foolishly rejected HSR funding a year ago or so; 16 Republican State Senators actually crossed the aisle to join 10 Democrats to form a veto proof majority in rebuking their Governor for his foolish decision. Those same State Senators also took the Governor to court to try to force him to accept the money.
Finally, when there was no fear of the "other" party getting credit last year in Michigan, the Republican controlled legislature voted to buy 100 miles of track from Norfolk Southern so as to be able to increase speeds on the State sponsored Amtrak trains between Michigan & Chicago to 110 MPH. Currently there is already a 95 mile section at that speed and this purchase will mean that almost from Detroit to the Indiana border, trains will now run at 110 MPH in a few years. The Republican Governor signed off on the purchase.
So no, it is quite possible that this project would still have been funded with Republican's in control. After all, rail actually brings many things with it that Republicans should like. Smaller unions; lower costs; and less taxpayer expense. And if we stopped subsidizing flying & driving, rail might actually even be able to cover its costs without needing any subsidies. It used to do that years ago, back before Government interfered in the Free Market (another thing Republican's like) by subsidizing flying & driving.
Solution, Solutions. I agree, if there are better alternatives let us hear them. If the solution is to use the present road system, that is not a solution. I would like to see objectors drive the primary rail corridors in the morning commute and the afternoon commute for a month. If after that trial they continue to be convince a fly over or more buses is the solution then great, lets us see the financial and time savings number. Currently traffic is continuously being impacted by accidents from drivers who: do not know how to drive, do not respect the laws or are just careless. The police does not have the capacity to control speeding or abusers and we hence are witness to major traffic slow downs due to these accidents.
Added to that, every new home built on the west side will add additional two (2) cars to each home constructed. These vehicles will travel on the existing infrastructure which is as we see today is well maxed out.
Everyone needs to understand this solution is not for the current generation or people over 50. The rail will be a solution for a generation of residents yet to be born. 30 years from now, those objecting this solution will not be around to witness what impact they may create by stopping this alternative.
Rail might not be the perfect alternative however, I have yet to hear of another alternative that will bring a future generation of Hawaii residents a better quality of life then the current status quo.
If we are going to have a railroad let the private sector finance it.and a private company(or groups of private companies) to run the train.but if private sector determines that building tracks and running trains will not be PROFITABLE,and does not make economical sense,we should scrap the whole thing.if the railroad can't make money,why waste thetimeand money.if it can't be done in a free market approach,then itcan't be done without a substantial loss of money.it just doesn't make sense.
Hey Jay, R Robbins, * Think,
Seems the big shots have solutions as your bud, Neil stated Kakaako, is the "3rd city' and his admin is pushing the condos there. Need memory refreshing? Go to, https://www.khon2.com/2013/06/20/public-meetings-s… don't be discouraged by the comments,
And bishop estate/Kam schools are involved in this solution too, Go to; Kamehameha Schools announces 4th project for Kakaako @ https://www.khon2.com/2013/07/26/kamehameha-school…
Signed, public employee.
Here are a few thoughts: Honolulu has a perfect time to set the standard world wide for a first class public transportation system. Lets not let some half baked plan be bullied thru. We have a chance to set the bar at a world wide level, lets not mess it up.
Some history of an idea that worked pretty well. On a trip in Alaska several years ago, with my family we went south from Anchorage on the way to Valdez via car, train and boat. The part here that is important is the train segment of the journey. Keep this in mind as the idea presents itself. We drove onto the rail car that stopped at the "loading" zone in Portage, Alaska the car and was anchored down then the train proceded thru what was then the only way to the little town of Whittier to board the ferry to Valdez. Once in Whittie we drove off the train and went on our way.
Here is how this could be a solution here in Honolulu, Next time you walk to your car notice the little rings that most cars have already inplace on the front and rear of the vehicle to assist in towing or in this case anchoring the car to
the flat bed car on the train. These anchor points could be made to be a certain height and width apart to be able to be automaticialy connected taking little time and no human effort. now think about this for a second.
this could mean that you and say 24 other cars could drive on the train get anchored down and be on your way to the unloading zone with out lossing your ability of stopping in two or more places before returning to rail for your return trip
Perhaps the rail project should be renamed "Money Train?"
Perhaps you should be renamed with your real name.
private companies will build a light train system without any tax payer funded money if their investments pay off.a lot capital involved.we are allbrain-washed into thinking that a state or federal gov't. must build a public transportation system for the general public.but why?projects involving tax-payer funds and government bureaucracies have never been successful.quite the opposite.Amtrackis a good example of money down a black hole. there is just too much politics involved with state and federal involvement in our countries commerce.corruption and special interests.
Libertarian is a fancy name for conservatives who like to smoke dope and get handjobs from college girls.
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