What do you think, Mass transit: rail system in Hawaii

Question

I live in Hawaii on the island of Oahu and our mayor with many other politicians are pushing to build a rail system that will only benefit a small area of my island and not the rest of the island or state. it is costing 5 billion dollars to build, and most of the state does not want it built. we are paying tons of taxes for something most of the state will never use. we have issued a petition to let the people vote on come this november, we have over 50,000 signatures. The city and county rejected the petition, and our mayor is going ahead with the project. What do think about the sittuation and what should the people of hawaii do.

Answer 1

Well, think of it like this.  Most mass transit projects are only feasible in highly dense areas, like downtown parts.  In more suburban areas, there isn't enough population to make a rail system economically feasible.  However, if this rail system is built in the city, it will reduce the demand for freeways and roads over there, which will save the state some money.  The state already pays for highways and streets everywhere, why shouldn't they pay for a rail system in one place if that's what the people there want?  People over there will still be paying taxes to support your roads in your part of the island.  

It is this type of local self-interest politics that has stalled mass transit development in the US and made us so dependent on cars and gasoline.  When that happens, in the end everyone loses out.

Answer 2

The poor people who cannot afford to drive Hummers to work will be greatfull. Mass transit is good for tourism and better for the enviroment. Even though you say only a small area will benefit, I wonder what the population is in that small area. I'm really surprised that there is not somekind of mass transit system there already.

Answer 3

   You  don't even have a continent.  Why would people who live on a island need mass transit.  I'm glad to hear you have a bunch of stupid leaders too.  You know the mental capacity  of our leaders in government is utterly mind-boggling.

   That's not even the big island. What is that like 30 miles across the island. That's a 20 minute drive from one side to the other. Commute must really be getting people down.

   Let me try to break this down 5 billion for mass transit on a island 30 miles long.  How long is the transit system 15 miles tops. You know what that would buy a lot of boats.

Answer 4

Bra Mufi Is awesome.It goin PASS

Answer 5

i don't think it will pass.  There aren't enough voters that would support it.  

Answer 6

I think it sucks.  I live in NYC. I used to live in Maui.

A subway only relieves the traffic temporarily.  Soon more people will move in and then the traffic pressure starts over again.  In NYC the subway is so crowded, people stand in trains like sardine cans.  The subway doesn't help.  It hurts by promoting the concentration of business at down town.

The solution is to spread out the commerce points all OUT of the downtown area.

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If people want the subway, they can move to NYC.  Why bring that c**p to Hawaii?

Good Luck...

Answer 7

I don't hear the other side of the argument, so I'm not sure.

If everybody really hates the idea, then get new politicians.