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The Honolulu High Capacity Transit Corridor Project is one of the most important public projects in O‘ahu history. As proposed, it also will be a visible fixture on O‘ahu’s landscape. The train’s fixed guideway will rise from about 20 feet above grade to a maximum of about 80 feet as it traverses the 20 mile route from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. The project also will include 19 transit stations and accompanying commercial development.
The City estimates the cost of the current proposal at approximately $3.8 billion—$5 to $6 billion if the route is extended to the University of Hawaii and Waikiki. Others claim the costs will be one-third higher. A great debate is being waged in Honolulu and within The Outdoor Circle over the monetary and aesthetic costs of the project versus its potential benefits.
For more than two years TOC has attended public meetings and hearings, become involved in the Mayor’s Transit Advisory Committee and carefully observed the community reaction to the transit proposal. We received multiple briefings from the City’s transit contractors as well as from opponents of the City’s transit plans. And we have extensively toured the likely transit route.
The following resolution was adopted by The Outdoor Circle’s Board of Directors:
Whereas, The Outdoor Circle recognizes the benefits of public transportation, and
Whereas, The Outdoor Circle has concerns about the currently proposed transit fixed guide way system, and
Whereas, The Outdoor Circle considers it essential that protecting the visual environment to be a priority in the planning, construction and operation of any transit system,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Directors of The Outdoor Circle urges the City and County of Honolulu to adopt policies and practices to ensure a clean, green and beautiful island of O‘ahu.
A Statement Supporting Transit
By Kathy Whitmire, Board Advisor, TOC
Honolulu’s traffic congestion speaks for itself! We must move forward now with the creation of a new transit system.
The City chose a fixed guideway system because it has greater passenger capacity, lower operating costs and results in less traffic congestion than any alternative. Transit oriented development will help stem urban sprawl across Oahu’s agricultural and open lands, encourage the development of livable, walkable communities around transit stations and increase transit ridership.
Honolulu’s transit plan includes protection of view corridors and street trees and a design that embodies Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage. TOC must take an active part in the planning and design phase to ensure that these principles are followed and that scenic beauty is not sacrificed but enhanced. We must also make sure that
• there is no relaxation of Oahu’s strong sign control regulations
• transit-oriented developments include open space such as pocket parks and plazas
• utility lines are placed underground as part of the project
• landscaping is well designed and maintained throughout the system.
With strong participation by TOC, Honolulu can have a transit system that enhances the visual environment while conserving energy, reducing air pollution and avoiding the need for more highways.
A Statement Opposing Transit
By Jane Morris, Public Affairs Co-Chair, Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle
I favor transit that allows more mobility for our citizens, reduces traffic congestion and is cost efficient. The City’s proposal will not meet these tests. Nor will it meet the goals that guide The Outdoor Circle:
CLEAN
We must maintain our communities and protect our view planes. Our parks and roadways are overgrown with weeds. Will there be money to clean these and other eyesores after we pay for Transit? The City says $1.2 Billion will be Federal money. The Feds say only $500 Million. The City increased the excise tax but will Transit costs cause city maintenance and other programs such as recycling to slide even further?
GREEN
How many of our beautiful, mature trees will be removed to construct the elevated guideway? Will this plan use less fossil fuel, show a net energy saving and be less polluting than the alternatives?
BEAUTIFUL
The elevated train and its 19 huge transit stations will be an ever-present eyesore as it snakes through communities; skirts along the waterfront; plows through downtown, Kakaako, Moiliili and ultimately over the H-1 freeway to the University.
The Outdoor Circle must protect Honolulu from the visual blight and the many unintended consequences of Transit.
Help shape public opinion. Tell us what you think by posting your opinion to this blog.
The overhead guideway and transit system proposed for Honolulu will have a greater adverse impact on our physical and visual environment than any project ever proposed in our past. For The Outdoor Circle to take such a strong, active role against overhead wiring but not to actively oppose the proposed overhead transit guideway does not even pass “the common sense test”. How can The Outdoor Circle, with its proud history of standing in opposition to innumerable projects with potential adverse impact on our unique and incredible visual and physical environment, not be a strong voice against this transit project - in its current form - which will cause a greater urban blight than any project ever previously proposed in Honolulu?
The Outdoor Circle MUST actively take a stand on this horrendous project! There should be no discussion about whether to or not.
Mahalo.
I don’t know what to say.If the Outdoor circle is not outraged about an elevated, noisey, ugly train running along our waterfront at the foot of our Historic business district,snaking through town, then what will we be outraged by?
The whole thing would be disaster for the enviorment in every way.
Bobbie Slater
Member, the Outdoor Circle, The Garden Club of Honolulu and Scenic Hawaii.
Steel on Steel? Reminds me of consultants’ assurances that Aloha Stadium would acquire a “protective patina” of rust.
Intuitively a system that does not reduce traffic congestion, will have drastic, permanent negative impacts on our island-lifestyle (both aesthetic and audible), and that is likely to cost close to $10 Billion dollars to complete does not seem like a prudent investment.
Do we need mass transit (coupled with driving disincentives)? Absolutely. Is fixed RAIL the answer? No.
The Outdoor Circle has always been a leader in protecting Hawaii’s island environment from bill boards to noise. I hope they can take a prominent watchdog role on this issue as well.
I am not opposed to rail as a concept; in fact, I believe it elevates (no pun intended) Hawaii’s stature as a major American city.
But this project should be all about the aesthetics. Hawaii’s tourism “draw” is based on what visitors SEE, and if we don’t take these factors seriously, then we will be blighting one of our treasured assets.
It’s for this same reason that I am opposed to what rail opponents are raising as possibilities, such as expressways, “flyovers,” and the like.
We have always had the luxury of being able to watch 49 other states make mistakes that we should learn from, but we don’t. San Francisco learned its Embarcadero was best without its elevated highway extension over it. Boston learned its downtown corridor was better without its “green monster” I-93 running through it. And even Los Angeles took efforts to use mass-transit technologies that didn’t blight its scenery.
We gotta get thsi right.
Honolulu’s beauty is our greatest asset. It’s what brings visitors to our island.
If we are going to have rail then it must go underground in the urban areas. Our water table is no higher than many other cities, such as Bangkok but they have been able to put a subway system in-I have ridden on it.
In addition,now The Bus system needs to be made more passinger friendly. How about lighting all bus shelters for safety and being able to read while waiting for the bus.
737-8862
I have recently mailed in 20 names on the STOPRAILNOW.com petition. I think the permanent light rail system will forever mar the natural beauty of the islands. Costs will be more than projected, they always are. Maintenance will be a nightmare with steel on steel technology. I live on the ocean and salt air is brutal on anything made of metal. About 35 years ago, I could hear the sound of waves in the distant. No longer are they heard due to incessant traffic, neighbors, air conditioning compressor or solar attic fans. Sound carries upwards - the noise created by the light rail will also be heard by those who live upwind.
It is already said that the light rail system will not improve the traffic we now have. Then is it worth it?
I encourage people to go to STOPRAILNOW.com
I strongly oppose Rapid Transit.
I urge you all well meaning people to sign the petition to get this issue on the November 2008 Ballot.
Please go to this website:
Best of luck to All, with this effort.
One of my major complaints with regards to mass transit rail is the garbage and graffiti that seems to line the routes on every system I have ever used except, Disney World!. Businesses and homes seem to turn their backs on rail lines. Everyone seems to think that’s great place to store their junk, in back by the rail lines. I don’t know what you think but I believe Honolulu has enough on it’s hands keeping this city clean without creating hundreds of more potentially hard to monitor nooks and crannies to act as gang message boards and impromptu junk yards.
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The proposed steal on steel transit system is highly inappropriate for this small, salty, tropical, island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. A working, modern sewer and water system which protects beaches and our surrounding ocean is appropriate. Trash recycling is appropriate. Solar, wave and other alternative power sources are appropriate. Our limited tax dollars should go to these projects.
The proposed transit system puts residents at risk of ever escalating taxes to cover cost over-runs, graft, rust and maintenance. A billion dollars ain’t what it used to be - just a month ago!